Very Stiff Steering on S2

[Robin Bevan]

Just brought elan S2 M816YCL. Drives great but the steering is extremely stiff. Especially at low speed and parking. I recently drove another S2 and found the steering light compared to my car. I took my car to local garage and they can't find any thing wrong. They suggested that I ask on forum before they replace parts.

A previous owner had all the steering replaced a South West Lotus Centre. This was about 500 mile ago / 9 Months ago. The receipt has: steering shaft, power steering pump, PAS pipe repair, fit customer's own steering rack.

The car has Toyo T1-R Tyres fitted to it don't no if this make any difference.

I would be grateful for any ideas on how to fix my steering.

[RayD]

Robin,

To start with ...

Presumably it has S2 wheels fitted?

Check the tyre pressures 29 all round – mine are 30psi.

Park each of the front wheels on two pieces of plastic ... opened up plastic bottle or similar ... get a feel for how hard the steering wheel is to turn with the engine stood ... then start it up ... the difference will be a measure of how the power steering is working.

Ray

[Monty]

Just wonder if the new rack that was fitted was for the S2

Normally i would say replace the lower UJ but would imagine they would of fitted a new one also wonder if they fitted the UJ correctly as per the service manual

[Specky]

Why was it all changed?

Was it an accident... did it partially collapse the steering column?

TTFN

[Monty]

did it partially collapse the steering column?

[Robin Bevan]

Just wonder if the new rack that was fitted was for the S2

Normally i would say replace the lower UJ but would imagine they would of fitted a new one also wonder if they fitted the UJ correctly as per the service manual

The UJ was replaced. I hope correctly as it was a Lotus specialist. thanks

[Robin Bevan]

Why was it all changed?

Was it an accident... did it partially collapse the steering column?

TTFN

I don't know if the car was in an accident. maybe

[Specky]

If it was... the steering column is designed to collapse in an accident, sadly the tell tale sign is stiff steering.

All is not lost though,

There must be a dimension check and Lotus are doing the steering column bits quite cheap at the moment.

If you need any help just ask away.

TTFN

[Robin Bevan]

If it was... the steering column is designed to collapse in an accident, sadly the tell tale sign is stiff steering.

All is not lost though,

There must be a dimension check and Lotus are doing the steering column bits quite cheap at the moment.

If you need any help just ask away.

TTFN

How or where can I do a dimension check

[Specky]

I'll read the manual and see what it says.

I've got some steering stuff arriving from Lotus as we speak, possibly tomorrow.

I've also got another steering column in the garage (pottentially damaged with the same issue)

Tomorrow I'll try and come up with a place to take measurements...

Finally, welcome to the LEC

TTFN

[Robin Bevan]

I'll read the manual and see what it says.

I've got some steering stuff arriving from Lotus as we speak, possibly tomorrow.

I've also got another steering column in the garage (pottentially damaged with the same issue)

Tomorrow I'll try and come up with a place to take measurements...

Finally, welcome to the LEC

TTFN

Thanks for your help.

[Specky]

Good news,

the dimensions are in the manual.

I'll PM you

TTFN

[Robin Bevan]

Good news,

the dimensions are in the manual.

I'll PM you

TTFN

thanks

[speed-demon]

This is the Medina press car isn't it?

I saw it advertised with 17" rims...

[Jackonicko]

The very good news is that inner steering columns can be had for peanuts from aftersales. Lower UJs are common with the Land Rover and are £12 or so.

Where are you located?

[Specky]

After reading the manual through,

As well as a dimension check, it could be worth double checking everything is assembled correctly.

I would guess you have a replacement S2 steering rack as these are 700 or 800 quid cheaper than the SE varient (Lotus aftersales)

Let us know how you get on

TTFN

[Robin Bevan]

The very good news is that inner steering columns can be had for peanuts from aftersales. Lower UJs are common with the Land Rover and are £12 or so.

Where are you located?

Kingston Surrey

[Robin Bevan]

This is the Medina press car isn't it?

I saw it advertised with 17" rims...

Yes the last owner said it was a press car

[Jackonicko]

Is it uniformly stiff, or is it stiffer at certain points of the travel?

[Jackonicko]

You have a car which should be 'known' by some on here.

You obviously bought it from a LEC member, Martylemoo, on the Isle of Wight, but he can only have had it for a year or less, as it was previously on sale by another LEC member, Tom Toms, in Cornwall (asking price starting at £9,250, eventually reducing to £6,250).

I wonder whether either of them can give a perspective on steering issues, or about previous damage?

Was there some conversation about mileage having apparently gone down between adverts, or am I thinking of a different Medina car?

If it were me, I'd run it up the M4 to J8/9 and pop it into Steve Williams and his lads to take a look at.

(Monty/Specky: It is an S2 anyway..... so the S2 rack would be appropriate).