Lower Steering column UJ

[lotuska]

The UJ at the bottom of the steering column is identical to that fitted to Land Rover Defenders, Disco's etc. I believe it was also fitted to late MGB's...

Part number is : NRC7704

Should cost no more than £12

[dans]

I concur!!

Great tip!

[Candles]

Yes I agree too. Here it is fitted to a new rack:



Ordered from Paddock Spares (google them!) and arrived the next day. My steering was weird: Slightly stiff for half a turn then free for the second half of the revolution. One UJ was stiff in one sense. I haven't fitted it yet to see if it is fixed!

Candles.[/img]

[Candles]

OK this is all in the car and it feels much better. The 'half-revolution' stiffness is gone and the car feels much healthier. Thanks for people's efforts in finding this lifesaver!

[Monty]

I need to get a new UJ for my new S2 PAS rack, checked out the part number quoted NRC7704 at http://www.paddockspares.com/products.a ... no=NRC7704 but on the photo there`s no spline section as in Candles Photo above

So is this the correct part?

[Candles]

Yes that is the correct part. The splined section is hiding inside your car waiting for you to fit it to the new rack!

When I replaced my rack, I just screwed the whole lot on, ensured the track rod ends were tightly locked, then drove it and did the tracking later.

As for column-to-rack alignment, there is a simple procedure in the manual which tells you how to put the shaft in. You simply go step-by-step and you can't get it wrong.

[Monty]

Thanks for that Candles

I`ll get the UJ ordered

[kmckmc]

Monty,
To replace this lower steering column UJ, how many hours of work do you need? What must be done?
Cheers,

[Monty]

Monty,
To replace this lower steering column UJ, how many hours of work do you need? What must be done?
Cheers,

That was done when fitting the new rack, so you may have to drop the steering column to get access to the lower UJ It is important that UJ is aligned corectly, have a read up on the Manual.

[Candles]

Michael,

The two UJs, one at the base of the steering column and one on the top of the rack can be seen and touched from inside the car. You can easily remove and replace the top UJ by loosening the steering column whilst working in the foot well. What I haven't tried is replacing the lower UJ whilst the rack is installed in the car. It may be possible as once the rubber boot is removed, there is a small gap around the lower UJ in the bulkhead which may allow you to release the bolts. If the gap is too small to work in, then the rack would have to be lowered with the added complications of removing the PAS lines and lower steering raft. I haven't got access to the manual at the moment to verify whether that describes a method for releasing the lower UJ whilst the rack is installed.

On the subject of installation with the new UJs, there is a specific procedure in the manual which must be followed to ensure the correct alignment of the UJs. It is easy, but specific. This ensures an even feel to the steering as the two UJs move.

In terms of a mechanic doing this job, I would imagine it could be completed in 2hrs if it can be performed with the rack in-situ.

Candles.

[Monty]

You can easily remove and replace the top UJ by loosening the steering column whilst working in the foot well.

Isn`t the top UJ welded to the column?

[lotusnut]

That helps me out with with the coupling, I am still trying to find which G.M product the steering column comes from. Can anyone help?

[Specky]

I'll have a look at the protype steering colum in the Garage and see if there's anything that helps identify it's origin.

TTFN

[Alan_C]

That helps me out with with the coupling, I am still trying to find which G.M product the steering column comes from. Can anyone help?

The column is Isuzu, the taper and spline at the top where the steering wheel fits is unique to Isuzu. The top is also modified to work with the General Motors switch stalks (namely the indicator cancelling mechanics). As far as I can work out, there is not a stock replacement steering column available, it's a Lotus item only.

Out of interest, why are you asking? Is yours broken/faulty?

[Specky]

Did you purchase this.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

TTFN

[Specky]

I've just opened a brand new Lotus A100A6037S Inner Shaft-Stg Column.

The packaging was Externally Lotus, but the internal wrapping was Isuzu. sadly no part number are visible.






TTFN