Lotus Elan Central

by **stevo** » Thu 03.08.2006, 10:42

a cry for help from stef who can't get to a pc for a while. the last time i drove blipi (apart from snaping the gear cables) the steering was very heavy. she called this morning to say that it has got a lot worse and now is very notchy and almost undrivable. this is not good 1 week before we go to the ring (insert pun here). does anyone have experience of these symptoms, rack? pump? track rod end? linkage? if so is anyone breaking an elan that has a good rack or pump?

by **Monty** » Thu 03.08.2006, 11:10

Not to sure on this one but i think the steering rack has given up

I`ve still got one on Pinky1 but it`s a pick up only item :roll:

She may have to go to the ring in the Trevor :shock:

by **stevo** » Thu 03.08.2006, 11:12

Monty wrote:She may have to go to the ring in the Trevor

now thats another problem :oops:

by **Monty** » Thu 03.08.2006, 11:31

stevo wrote:
Monty wrote:She may have to go to the ring in the Trevor

now thats another problem

Oh deer, only a week to go to the ring :shock:

by **chris.t** » Thu 03.08.2006, 12:37

I had this problem. Stef get the car running and then get someone to go lock to lock on the steering while you look in the pas reservoir with a torch. if you see bubbles you have air in the system. I had this a week before going to Donny last year but it cleared itself

I just kept on giving it lock to lock treatment and it gradually got better. Yours sounds as though it has been around for some time though

Have you had the car supported such that the front suspension drops to maximum extension for any time? If he seals to the rack are not that clever imo this could allow air into the system.

Next thing is to disconnect the discharge from the pas pump and see if you have a good flow. Warning this can be a messy business so be careful.

You're right though, if the steering will not centre and it will be to stiff to drive you would end up with arms like popeye. You can get racks refurbished but the aggro here is getting the thing out. I do hope it all works out for you so you don't miss the ring

by **Candles** » Thu 03.08.2006, 14:12

I know this is obvious but stiff and lumpy can both be explained by a loose belt!

by **dans** » Thu 03.08.2006, 15:57

Some comments on here about steering problems.

My steering is stiff and getting stiffer at the moment. Planning on having a look at the univerasal joints next week.
Would be interested if you get any further info

by **Stef** » Thu 03.08.2006, 22:44

Cheers for all your help folks.

Hope to take it to a garage to be looked at tomorrow. Nothing immediatly noticeable.

Deffo too bad to drive to the ring as she is so hopefully I will get the problem identified tomorrow, parts ordered and fixed early next week!

Heh, great eh? :roll:

Will keep you informed.

by **Doug** » Thu 03.08.2006, 23:20

can always use a fluid change/renewal too -- but hey if the whole rack is knackered then this will happen with the new install . . .

by **Leung** » Fri 04.08.2006, 02:18

MY steering sometimes groan during low speed turning, ie. during parking, could this be the start of a potential steering problem?

by **Candles** » Fri 04.08.2006, 08:40

Not 'groaning', but more of a 'snake hissing' sound is perfectly normal and all Elans do it!

by **Paul.P** » Fri 04.08.2006, 13:15

Even if you can get a rack Stef, i'm told fitting one is a pig of a job, so you may want to get it in your garage & get them to strip old one out, ready for new one to go back in, or you may have to passenger Stevo to nurburgring !

by **chris.t** » Fri 04.08.2006, 14:12

hope you can get the car ready Stef. You may want to investigate if Pauls comment is possible with respect to changing the ferry booking to having a passenger. A new rack is over a grand and refurbing the old one will take at least a week unless you know someone who can do them quick. Lets hope its the UJ.

Got my fingers crossed for you.

by **Stef** » Fri 04.08.2006, 20:22

She couldn't get in anywhere to be checked today so booked in for Monday.

by **Stef** » Wed 09.08.2006, 18:03

She was lubed up and is running well now but the joint still needs replacing.

Couldn't get done today as part arrived late and garage had no time. Reckon I should be fine for now. So I will just go for it. Shouldn't get a catastophic failure!

It was the lower UJ and was a pig to find a part and not cheap. A silly £140 thereabouts! :shock:

Was told these things just don't go on an Elan.

Heard the same about Head Gaskett... I guess Blipi is just Speshul

by **muley** » Wed 09.08.2006, 19:58

The lower uj is the same as fitted to Land Rovers and they're about £12.

http://lotuselancentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7200

Oh, and quite a few have been replaced.

Bit late now, I suppose :cry:

Jim

by **paza1** » Wed 30.08.2006, 20:46

Could someone piont me in the right direction? Where is the UJ in question situated? Would like to lube it up also :wink:

Cheers
Mark

by **lotuska** » Thu 31.08.2006, 18:24

The U/J is located at the bottom of the steering column inside the car, at floor level (under the pedals)....

I don't think when I replaced mine that it's something you can lube...

by **paza1** » Thu 31.08.2006, 19:38

Thanks Lotuska, I think you're probably right. I have sprayed it with grease and see what happens when the weather improves. Is it straight forward to replace?
Cheers
Mark

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