Discussion
BFH. Technical abreviation for Big F_____g Hammer.
Of course, on a Lotus, you generally need to cushion the stuff you are beating on. I have a special rubber mallet designated "The Lotus Wrench" that I have been carrying around for almost 25 years now.
I'm not sure exactly what you are saying is stuck, but the proper application of a BFH will usually unstick about anything. Sometimes putting it back together again is somewhat challenging. If your wheel is stuck to the hub, squirt it with some penetrating oil wherever you think it is sticking, like at the lug nut holes and the center area and rap the back side of the wheel with the BFH (wood block may help preserve the wheel, avoiding that reassembly issue). After that, take the caliper off and fix as necessary. Sometimes just breaking the caliper piston loose may get you by, otherwise, it's rebuild time. Of course, be very careful with oil around the brake system. Thoroughly degrease when you are done and keep the oil away from the brake pads or be ready to buy new. I have been known to cook brake pads/shoes and clutch plates in the oven to get the oil out of them, but I wouldn't recommend that on the Lotus. Y chromosomal deficient people also get really upset if you do that in their oven. I have my own oven in the shop.
Dr.Hess
Of course, on a Lotus, you generally need to cushion the stuff you are beating on. I have a special rubber mallet designated "The Lotus Wrench" that I have been carrying around for almost 25 years now.
I'm not sure exactly what you are saying is stuck, but the proper application of a BFH will usually unstick about anything. Sometimes putting it back together again is somewhat challenging. If your wheel is stuck to the hub, squirt it with some penetrating oil wherever you think it is sticking, like at the lug nut holes and the center area and rap the back side of the wheel with the BFH (wood block may help preserve the wheel, avoiding that reassembly issue). After that, take the caliper off and fix as necessary. Sometimes just breaking the caliper piston loose may get you by, otherwise, it's rebuild time. Of course, be very careful with oil around the brake system. Thoroughly degrease when you are done and keep the oil away from the brake pads or be ready to buy new. I have been known to cook brake pads/shoes and clutch plates in the oven to get the oil out of them, but I wouldn't recommend that on the Lotus. Y chromosomal deficient people also get really upset if you do that in their oven. I have my own oven in the shop.
Dr.Hess
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