Where can i get one of these tie rod components?
16 posts
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John
Do you not have them already on the sreering rack?
John
Do you not have them already on the sreering rack?
John
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john.p.clegg - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 4533
- Joined: 21 Sep 2003
If you cannot remove these parts, take the rack to a machine shop and have them remove both of them. Have you tried heat yet? Destroying Lotus only parts is not the answer.
Europa steering racks have similar adapters, and they have not been available as spares for decades.
Steve in Ohio
Europa steering racks have similar adapters, and they have not been available as spares for decades.
Steve in Ohio
- sveris
- Second Gear
- Posts: 79
- Joined: 13 Jan 2011
Why do you need to remove them at all? There's very little you can't do if you leave them on, and unless for some odd reason they are totally in the wrong place, let them be. In any case, please don't resort to grinding.
If you really must get them off, with the locknut undone, some heat will help undo them. Not really high heat, but a good toasting with a blowlamp.
If you really must get them off, with the locknut undone, some heat will help undo them. Not really high heat, but a good toasting with a blowlamp.
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RogerFrench - Fourth Gear
- Posts: 536
- Joined: 01 Dec 2009
I was unaware, until now, that these parts are not available.
The reason I need to free them up is that the steering isn't set up right. If you look in the original workshop manual, it gives a dimension of about 10.7 inches or so from the centre line of where the tie rod end joins the steering link to the centre of the ball in the inner tie rod (inside the rubber boot).
On this car there is quite a difference between the two sides - and I want it right. I also have one tie rod end that will not come lose - have tried two types of ball joint splitter and it broke one.
If these very simple parts are no longer available, why has nobody measured and re-manufactured them? They don't really seem like the most complex bit of the car.
The reason I need to free them up is that the steering isn't set up right. If you look in the original workshop manual, it gives a dimension of about 10.7 inches or so from the centre line of where the tie rod end joins the steering link to the centre of the ball in the inner tie rod (inside the rubber boot).
On this car there is quite a difference between the two sides - and I want it right. I also have one tie rod end that will not come lose - have tried two types of ball joint splitter and it broke one.
If these very simple parts are no longer available, why has nobody measured and re-manufactured them? They don't really seem like the most complex bit of the car.
1967 Plus 2 #0168
- Johnfm
- Third Gear
- Posts: 333
- Joined: 20 Jan 2013
The problem with getting these made I think is that the threaded end will be rolled for strength and fatigue resistance in a such a critical component. No one will have wanted to do a big enough production run to make setup by a manufacturer worthwhile. Anyone serious enough to do it is also probably worried about the product liability issues!!
cheers
Rohan
cheers
Rohan
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rgh0 - Coveted Fifth Gear
- Posts: 8417
- Joined: 22 Sep 2003
Undo 26 and rotate 22....
dont close your eyes --you will miss the crash
Editor: On June 12, 2020, Edward Law, AKA TwinCamMan, passed away; his obituary can be read at https://www.friscolanti.com/obituary/edward-law. He will be missed.
Editor: On June 12, 2020, Edward Law, AKA TwinCamMan, passed away; his obituary can be read at https://www.friscolanti.com/obituary/edward-law. He will be missed.
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twincamman - Coveted Fifth Gear
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twincamman wrote:Undo 26 and rotate 22....
Exactly!
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RogerFrench - Fourth Gear
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- Joined: 01 Dec 2009
Cheers Steve
I would still happily try to remove the rack and then get the rack held firm in a vice etc to loosen them off.
BUT- try removing a bloody rack! How are you expected to remove the steering column flexible coupling from the rack? Heavily corroded cross headed screws in a very tight small area. Design engineers just don't think about access for tools etc when they design cars.
Basically - this steering rack really doesn't want to be sorted - no wonder previous owner left it as it is. All wrong - but less hassle.
I would still happily try to remove the rack and then get the rack held firm in a vice etc to loosen them off.
BUT- try removing a bloody rack! How are you expected to remove the steering column flexible coupling from the rack? Heavily corroded cross headed screws in a very tight small area. Design engineers just don't think about access for tools etc when they design cars.
Basically - this steering rack really doesn't want to be sorted - no wonder previous owner left it as it is. All wrong - but less hassle.
1967 Plus 2 #0168
- Johnfm
- Third Gear
- Posts: 333
- Joined: 20 Jan 2013
pull out the pinch bolt and you should be able to pull the steering column back out of the coupling. The shaft is grooved so you need to remove the bolt fully to pull the shaft out. I normally pull the radiator first when working on the steering column and rack to make access easier.
A lot of things on the Lotus is like this as it is all packed into as small a space as possible - space adds weight
cheers
Rohan
A lot of things on the Lotus is like this as it is all packed into as small a space as possible - space adds weight
cheers
Rohan
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rgh0 - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Joined: 22 Sep 2003
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