Power Steering

[sshobby]

My m100 has 'morning sickness' - hard power steering. My mechanic thinks its the rack - apparently GM cars from the 80s were prone to this.

Does anyone know where to find a new power steering rack? I saw some old posts that Lotus UK still had some, and they were on sale in 2008. Any contacts I can call at a dealer in the UK, or the factory parts dept?

Or alternately does anyone know what model car the rack came from, so I can chase down a new or rebuilt one?

I'm in the US, and Dave Bean does not have a rack.

Thanks, Samir.

91 m100 Elan
06 Exige

[Specky]

Welcome to the LEC,

Hand on heart I haven't heard of that many steering racks giving up the ghost, but I've heard of a few power steering pumps, (much more likely)

A know fact of hard steering is a partially collaspsed steering column, (Has the car been in an accident?)

I believe the Rack & Pinion for the Fed SIR are still available at the aftersales price of £212.75 + tax, normal price £1,051.80 + tax . (I bought a fed rack several months ago,but I am UK based, god only knows what the postage would be) on a positive note it comes with the impossible to obtain track rod ends.

Repair could be an oppotion, Lotus do a seal repair kit, but I don't know if it comes with the aluminum retaining ring that corrodes badley.

Have a glance at this thread and it may give you some insight into your rack viewtopic.php?f=108&t=14190

As for getting a new steering rack to the US you may have an issue.

Lotus contact information for the affore mentioned parts:-

Aidan Coughlan is Dealer Liaison UK & Europe

acoughlan@lotuscars.co.uk (If you have any issues with this email addy let me know)

Lotus Cars Limited
Potash Lane,
Hethel,
Norwich,
Norfolk,
NR14 8EZ

T +44 01953 608279
F +44 01953 608253

Aidan will let you know if the part is still available, but I would ring them because he will be able to answer more questions about shipping. (Lotus don't normlly ship to private addresses in the US, but he may ship to Dave Bean???

Let us know how you get on and I'll try and give some guidance.

TTFN

[Monty]

The steering is quite heavy on the Elan anyways and most people would think there was something wrong with the powersteering. 1st i would try flushing out the old fluid with new stuff.

Next step would be replacing the lower UJ, not sure if the fed is the same but the uk ones are cheap as there the same as the Landrover and can be bought from ebay. Check out the cross ref section.

[Jackonicko]

The steering going stiff can be both or either of the steering UJs. The lower one is, as m'learned friend avers, from a Land Rover (£12 or so on eBay, plus p&p) while the other is integral with the steering column, currently available cheaply from Aftersales.

[steve matthews]

sshobby, where in the States?
Check everything as above prior to removal.
KnoxMotor Sports has my old unit with 31,000 on the clock.
This unit performed better than the one I have now in the new car.
That is less hissing
Billy at knox can guide you.
Good luck
Steve -w- new lady

[sshobby]

Hi. I'm in Stamford, CT