Steering columns

[Kier]

Are they easy to get hold of?

My Elan has failed it MOT on a few things, one of which is the steering, which although I'm used to it, it's really really stiff. I've been told it may need to be replaced.

The garage have already had the car since Wednesday replacing all the break pipes and I'm worried they are going to claim they can't get parts very well!

They've also said the front disk break pads look brand new, which is odd as they've been on there for at least a year! Need to have some work done on them as well, they've obviously not been doing much.

My wallet is already starting to twitch!

[Monty]

very suprised to hear that it failed on the steering being to stiff, as far as i know thats nothing to do with the MOT only if it had excess play etc How would they know if thats normal or not?

[muley]

very suprised to hear that it failed on the steering being to stiff, as far as i know thats nothing to do with the MOT only if it had excess play etc How would they know if thats normal or not?

I agree, has the steering pump packed up I wonder? If steering parts fail they tend to create slack in the steering (which is an MOT failure of course) Did you think the steering had become stiff recently?

Replacing all the brake pipes seems a bit over the top - it's unusual for them all to need replacing simultaneously.

Why they would comment on the pads is plain wierd - for the MOT the brakes have to work efficiently - that's it.

I hope your garage isn't taking the p*ss - if they are I'll come down there and show them an interesting trick I can do with an old exhaust pipe!.

Garages !

Jim

[Kier]

To be fair about the steering when it went into SJ's at Crediton recently the guy there said he'd never driven an Elan with such stiff steering.

I don't usually notice it as i'm use to it, although when I hired a van to move all my stuff to Exeter, on the Monday when I got back in the Elan it was like driving with lead wheels!

I've hired a car for the weekend, so i'm gonna drive over and get some more info from them if they're open!

Thanks both.

[lotuska]

My car suffered from stiff steering but only at certain points, traced the fault to the uj at the botton of the column, replaced it and everything was fine.

Oh and the uj is the same as a Land Rover defender, and a lot cheap that the lotus equiv.

[dans]

Mine is in for service at the moment and I have just been told that the steering is much heavier than it should be (being serviced at en ex Lotus dealer specialist).

Would be interested if you have any further info on your problems. Will also let you know if I hear anything

Cheers,Dan

[Neil D.]

Stiff steering could be due to many possible causes

A UJ incorrectly fitted ( ie touching the top shatf for example) would give a non uniform feeling to the steering, (easy, difficult, easy )

A poor pump, or low level oil would give stiff steering. Dirty or incorrect fluid in the system.

Top bearing could be dry, overtight.

Anyway

Good luck

Neil

[Andrew_Ennis]

I had stiff steering on my last elan, after 4 racks, new ball joints and the garage giving up. I found the problem in 10 minutes, the mechanic had collapsed the steering column in removal of the steering wheel. The bottom steering column has a rubber bushing. Below the bushingis a slight taper towards the UJ. When the column is shortened the rubber bush gets forced up the taper making the steering stiff. Check the column length as described in the manual