Need help concerning the steering

[Silver Shadow]

My car had a bit of free play on the steering. So I took it to my mechanic and he disassembled it. He found out that the steering box (not sure if this is the correct name but you can see it in the pics below) was very rusty and it will need a new one. He call Lotus here in Portugal and asked them the price. It is over 2000 euros!!!! I cannot afford this so I was wondering if anyone knows a cross-reference of another maker which could fit my car, or a solution to fix mine. Maybe someone has a used one for sale...

Any and all help will be much appreciated since I have the car in the car shop and I need it as soon as possible.

PS: Is the correct neme for this steering rack?

[muley]

Hi, they were available in the parts sale for around £300 - I don't know if there are any left, though.

It should be possible to get it refurbished at a rack refurb specialist - I had my TVR rack rebuilt as it was no longer available.

Cheers

Jim

p.s I'll be on this route shortly with my 'old Elan' ...

[tweetdriver63]

Check the Lotus Aftersales list at this link (it's at the bottom right of the page):

http://www.grouplotus.com/cars/lotus_parts.html

If you scroll down, you'll find the following (price is bold and GBP):

F100H0003F Rack & Pinion LHD PAS (S1) Elan 89 on 820.60 240.00 15
G100H0003F Rack Assy LHD PAS (S2) Elan 89 on 1230.31 325.00 20
G100H0004F Rack Assy RHD PAS Elan 89 on 1230.31 325.00 38
A100H6023S Seal Kit-PAS Rack Elan 1989 on 57.87 23.00 61

The part you have pictured is the PAS Rack Assembly. See if there's a part number on it so you can match that up. I don't know whether you're LHD or RHD, but they look to have both avaiable, and I think that price is a lot less than the price you were told.

Instructions and a link to download the fax order form are also at that site.

Good luck.

[Silver Shadow]

Great news!!! The price is 8x cheaper!!! My car is a SE from 91 and LHD, which means that probably the correct part is:

F100H0003F Rack & Pinion LHD PAS (S1) Elan 89 on 820.60 240.00

Right?

How do I do concerning the ordering? I have to go trough Lotus here in Portugal? If so it not very good news since they aren't exactly friendly and they can see this as doing me a favor and refuse it (as I am not a customer)...

[PAUL30]

In the U.K you complete the order form on the Lotus website for surplus parts. Nominate the dealer you wish it to be delivered to. Pay the dealer on arrival/collection.

Not sure if you can use the same process in Portugal.

[tweetdriver63]

In the U.K you complete the order form on the Lotus website for surplus parts. Nominate the dealer you wish it to be delivered to. Pay the dealer on arrival/collection.

Not sure if you can use the same process in Portugal.

Same in the U.S.

You can also use the link on that page to contact them with questions. For example, you can confirm you're ordering the correct part for your car before you actually order it (without having to ask the guys at your local dealership, who you don't seem to trust very much). I asked them a question like that and got a very personal, polite, and helpful response from them within 2 days.

Glad to help.