Lelit Elizabeth V3 movement in brew head?

TotalShanner

I’ve just bought an Elizabeth V3 and so far very very happy with it.

However, I’m wondering about a slight bit of movement I have on the group head and wether its normal or could be tightened up.

On mine, when I lock the portafilter into place at the lock positition, it feels like the group head itself flexes slightly in the machine. If I gently pull or or down on the handle of the portafilter, the whole group head can shift up and down by about 2mm or so. Do you see this happening on your machine?

I’ve came from a single boiler gaggia baby class D 06, the group head was rock solid on that with no movement whatsoever.

I’m wondering if some of the bolts inside just need torqued up slightly to anchor it down more firmly. I haven’t taken the top cover off yet to have a look. Just thought I’d see if anyone else’s does the same??

MediumRoastSteam

TotalShanner a ~~picture~~ video is worth a thousand words.

TotalShanner

MediumRoastSteam

Ask and ye shall receive! Sorry if the video isn’t all that great… but I think it shows what I’m going on about :)

It looks like the whole panel is flexing along with the group head. But its the knocking sound that has me thinking/hoping something just needs torqued down.

Granted theres no reason to ever be pulling the handle up or down like that in any real scenario but I do feel it twist and shift when locking the portafiler into place.

It’s only concerned me since the two other machines I’ve ever owned were both rock solid in this regard. I appreciate it could just be the construction methods used that leaves it with this movement, but if I can get rid of it then great!

I was hoping an Elizabeth v3 owner could maybe go have a feel at theirs and report back?

MediumRoastSteam

TotalShanner - I just checked mine. It doesn’t do it.

Presumably should be a matter of tightening bolts, but I wouldn’t know exactly which ones, so sorry.

Ps: there are some screws right above it, shown on your video. Did you try checking them if they are not loose?

One for @DavecUK or maybe contact the retailer.

TotalShanner

MediumRoastSteam

Thanks for checking!

I’ll pop the cover off and have a look then. I guess that some bolts just need nipped up.

I’ll report back with my findings

TotalShanner

MediumRoastSteam

Ok so I popped the lid and tightened down all the obvious nuts and bolts but it hasn’t really made any difference.

With the lid off, I could see that it’s just the way that it’s constructed is causing it. The panels are all made of fairly thin sheet metal that flex quite easily. The way the external panels are attached doesn’t give it much rigidity. It’s interesting that yours doesn’t seem to exhibit this movement though!

During my research, it seemed like a few folk had complimented the build quality of Lelit. The quality of the machine is certainly there, the stainless steel is lovely and the internal components seem to be of a good standard. I think it’s the thin gauge of the sheet metal that’s part of the issue. Maybe thicker panels and some bracing internally would be better but I know everything has to be built to a price. It’s also got a pretty small footprint for what it is.

I’ll just let it be. This is so far the only minor grumble I’ve had with it. It’s been exceptional in every other way so I dare not complain really.

DavecUK

TotalShanner Could you paste a photo here so we can have a look, perhaps there is an issue you are unaware off…I can certainly check my photos of the construction as I feel sure it shouldn’t be moving so easily…I will also check mine tomorrow.

TotalShanner

DavecUK

Haha I was loath to take that too cover off again since it took so long to get it back on neatly without the brown rubber seal folding over! Is it normal to struggle so much trying to get the top panel seated correctly?

But I’m glad I went back in because I think I’ve realised what’s causing the problem.

I hadn’t noticed before that there is a threaded bolt going from the group head into the panel beside the water tank. It looks like there should be a nut on the other side securing it to the panel, but the nut is seemingly missing.

Couple photos here but I’ll upload a video too.

TotalShanner

ok this should show whats causing the knocking sound, a nut on that should hugely reduce the movement…

I take it you both have a nut installed there!?

I’ll email bella barista

MediumRoastSteam

TotalShanner - there’s no nut there on mine.

Here’s the video:

TotalShanner

Thanks for checking. I’m at a loss then!

MediumRoastSteam I notice that yours does make a slight sound but certainly not knocking like mine.

I’ve emailed bella barista, but if there isn’t supposed to be nut on that threaded rod then I’m not sure what they can do really.

Inspector

Mine also does not move. I mean there is certainly a flex and noise but not a movement.

I have rewatched your video and they behave same I guess.

Inspector

If I pull portafilter downwards harder there is definitely a clicking noise coming from mine also. But since over 2 years of ownership never noticed that there is such a flex, you normally don’t pull it downwards :) I have noticed on your video one of the small screws left hand side of the group head also sticking halfway out I think you need to tighten it, it’s nothing to do with this issue(if you call it that way) but they must be holding sth else in the case.

It certainly sounds like next room on a cheap hotel 😂

TotalShanner

Inspector

Thanks, could you screenshot and highlight which screw you’re talking about please?

I think that the nature of the thin stainless steel sheets and the way its all bolted together just makes for a flexy chassis. Mine perhaps just has a slight difference in tolerance when the sheet metal has been cut to size and it’s creating a contact point somewhere… maybe.

I guess it just sticks out at me since my previous machine was very solid.

TotalShanner

Inspector

Thanks, I hadn’t seen your video when I replied. This puts my mind at rest really, its pretty similar to whats happening on mine. In real world use, I’d never be moving the handle up and down anyway so I’ll just try forget about it!

I’ll have a look at the screw and see if its loose

Inspector

TotalShanner