Allen screws for an S2 bonnet.

[gman1283]

One or two of the allen screws that hold down the front access panels are nearly rounded off.

Any ideas on how to unscrew them and where can i get new ones from.

thanks.

[nsm3]

gman1283 said:

One or two of the allen screws that hold down the front access panels are nearly rounded off.

Any ideas on how to unscrew them and where can i get new ones from.

thanks.

You could try a torx wrench (a cheap one as you may wreck it?) or how about maybe superglue some cheap allen keys in and see if that gives enough purchase to get the bolts out - they shouldn't be in too tight and once the load from the rubber washer is released, they should come out easily?

I would suspect the dealers will sell a new set at a horrendous cost, but someone with more of an engineering background may know the exact technical description and size of the bolts, in which case you should be able to get them at a specialist hardware/engineering outlet?

[lamb jiblets]

If they are compleatly rounded off you can use a set of easy outs these are a a bit you put in a drill with sharp blades they work in revers and cut into the allen bolt and once they bite they will unscrew the bolt, most good tool shops sell them.

[Monkey boy 1]

They're M5 20mm long St/Steel button head socket screws. A quick trawl on the net you can get a pack of 100 for under a Tenner.
A trick I have used is to mask the area on the front access cover with masking tape (to protect the paintwork) & use a set of Mole grips on the head. When successfully removed, lubricate the thread of the new ones before refitting as they are fitted dry from the factory.
I would only attempt to drill them out as a very last resort as for a start St/steel is difficult to machine without the correct tooling and if you slip or break a drill bit you have the chance of going through the bodywork at worst or putting a nice deep gouge in the access cover at best.

Good luck anyway

[rfoster]

Hangar 111 sell a set of 'quick release' bolts for the access panels - probably worth upgrading to those ones.

[NJS25]

Worth giving Lotus a call, IIRC they sell the component parts seperately. Does cost more per item than a big bag full but quite reasonable.

I lost 3 quick release allen bolts and the machined housings, bought hanger 111 set (this only contains the bolts, quick release housings and and not the trim pieces) Contacted Lotus who quoted a price based on the items required, a few pounds I think. Postage was the main cost, but I live 80 miles from the nearest dealer.

Regards, Neil

[gman1283]

Thanks for the advise and info on the size. Just found a pack of 20 on E-bay. Only cost £2:50 with free delivery. Just hope the little bugger comes out without the use of a drill.

[Keith111s]

Just a quick note on this one
I work in a tool shop which sell's these, in wandsworth if it's of any use to you,
The only thing i will say is that the majority of stainless steel button head screws you will find have a standard size of head, the ones used on the access pannel's dont they are larger than normal, this can be over come with a washer but this all comes down to weather or not you are worried about how it looks,
Keith