Removing Instrument Binnacle

The Oily Bits S2 Specific Topics
1

Just got a CF binnacle and tried removing the original one without success. Unscrewed 2 hex screws located just above each of the 2 indicator stalks (i.e. turn indicator and windscreen wiper) but somehow couldn’t get the binnacle off.

Am I missing anything or is there a trick to removing it?

Thanks in advance!

P.S: I have a euro-spec Exige S, and I understand the binnacles for the Federal and Euro cars are different.

2

If you remove all the plastic (top and bottom halves) you’ll see 2 bolt heads underneath the binnacle which hold it in place. Getting the thing out is quite easy compared to removing the stack though!
[image]http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t116/21TonyK/BOSS.jpg[/image]

The gold coloured tabs left and right of the steering boss and on the underside of the binnacle are where the bolts go.

Post back with a pic of the carbon binnacle.

3

Oh damn… looking at the pic you posted, it looks as if I will need to transfer the stack over to the new CF binnacle! Think I’ll get my local Lotus dealer to do the install!

Here’s a pic of the CF binnacle…

[image]http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v148/7/28/721636513/n721636513_466152_4119.jpg[/image]

4

In theory the stack should come out fairly easily. The loom unplugs and the stack itself is held in by a couple of very small “nuts”.

Was thinking about a carbon pod myself and having had the binnacle out before I’d give it a go.

You can always put it back together again if it gets too fiddly.

5

Thanks Tony… think I better leave the install to the professionals!

6

Like the look of the binnacle. Appears to the the whole thing instead of just a carbon cover. Where did you get it?

Thanks Tony… think I better leave the install to the professionals!

Seriously removing and refitting the binnacle is trivial. 6 screws to get the shround for the steering column off. Two that you have already removed, two underneath, and then one either side. Two bolts for the stack and binnacle. Then 2 more tiny bolts to remove the stack from the binnacle. Thats less bolts that a 6 year olds mechano set.

You wouldn’t even need to unplug the stack, although it might make it easier. Most difficult part for me was finding a small enough spanner to remove stack from binnacle. Perhaps I should have looked out the mechano

7

Hmm, you make it sound really simple… I might give it a try then! Hope I don’t break anything… Ha ha…

Got the binnacle from RevoZport along with some other CF bits like door panels, center tunnel, and door sills.

8

Ok, update… Tried the install myself and it was a success! Took me an hour to do it though… Ha ha…

And yes, those 4 nuts that bolt the stack onto the binnacle were quite a pain to get to…especially since I did not disconnect the cables from the stack.

Will upload pics in a bit…

9

Pics of the binnacle installed…

[image]http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v154/7/28/721636513/n721636513_537211_3615.jpg[/image]


[image]http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v154/7/28/721636513/n721636513_537212_3858.jpg[/image]

Sorry for the poor quality pics… taken using my phone camera.

10

And since while I’m at it… might as well share pics of my CF door panels and center tunnel:

[image]http://photos-513.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v142/7/28/721636513/n721636513_380598_2750.jpg[/image]

[image]http://photos-513.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v142/7/28/721636513/n721636513_380600_3185.jpg[/image]

Hope you guys like it!

11

Okay, you’ve got my attention…

The alcantara is bubbling on my binnacle so I need a new one, how much for the whole lot?

(The dollar is weak and carbon is light )

12

I like the tunnel, is that one of those �275 jobs from Eliseparts?

Is it easy to fit - I was just thinking of putting a handbrake gaiter on mine as that handbrake is the only part of the car I don’t like the look of - I think the '67 Ford Anglia I had in '76 had a better looking handbrake (not sure though?)

13

I got the CF bits from RevoZport (based out of Hong Kong). Prices are available on their website (http://www.revozport.com/revozportRT.htm) but I got some discount from a group buy I ran with some mates of mine.

Point to note is that these are wet laid CF and purely cosmetic pieces…so if you’re planning to save weight with these, I’d say save your money.

Hope this helps.

P.S: Still waiting for my CF door sills. They sent the Federal ones to me!

14

nsm3, it’s not from Eliseparts - the center tunnel together with the coin holder bit cost me less than half that!

15

nsm3, it’s not from Eliseparts - the center tunnel together with the coin holder bit cost me less than half that!

Cheers, I put a fair bit of CF on my Ducati and thought that the tunnel cover I mentioned was a bit on the pricey side - handbrake gaiter it is then!