Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I do not know how to call them: (top) ball joint, steering joint, track rod ends??? In any case they are Lotus number parts 036H6007 and I presume you understand what I mean.
Question: I can easily find here in Belgium those for a Triumph Spitfire. Are they the same as the one of a S3 Elan? Not a slight difference that could be a problem?
Thanks.

Yes,and if you're careful you could even drill them and fit grease nipples before changing them...

John

if you are talking about the ball joint at the top of the steering upright, i have actually come across them in two different sizes (the threaded stub and nut bit of the assembly.) The problem with the bigger of the two is that it did not allow enough rotation of the joint to fit the spring/shock assembly without compressing it a bit: a real P.I.T.A! I sourced two of the smaller size, which are fine. Unfortunately I can't remember which socket size the correct one is, but I can check tomorrow if you're interested. Whether the bigger or smaller is the triumph one I don't know either, I'm afraid.

will

Back to my (top) ball joint topic.
I want to remove them and I have read in the owner's manual that it requires a drawer tool to remove them from the steering arms. Indeed despite WD40 I can not get it out of the hole of the steering arm.
Any idea how this 'drawer tool' look like? Do I need it to disassemble these two parts? Any alternative?
Thanks.

Olivier.

Oliver,

What you need is known as a "ball joint remover" or a "pickle fork". The ball joint remover that you use a socket and ratchet on works the best. Good luck.

Vanden Perre wrote:Any idea how this 'drawer tool' look like?

Lots of pics of the tools here:
http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en ... a=N&tab=wi

Thanks Brian and Frank. I will try to borrow one to finish the job.
Olivier.

If you can't borrow the tool there is another way.
It only applies if you are replacing the joint and don't mind wrecking it to get it off.

I recall hacksawing the ball part off, leaving a stub in the upright, then using a G clamp and a socket to press the stub out.

The proper tool is easier but if you don't have one.....

Cheers
Ralph.

036 H 6007 is not the top ball joint (which is 036 C 6007), but the track rod end ball joint.
Gordon

To remove the steering rod outer ball joint, the typical ball joint removal tool (screw type is best) only costs about ?10 in the UK. Can't imagine why anyone would resort to butchery (or tool sharing) for the sake of a readily available, low cost small tool. Draper for example make a suitable tool, stocked by Halfords, on-line, motor factors etc. Beats me!

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PI ... er=froogle

Avoid the fork and hammer type, they have a tendency to wreck the rubber cap of the ball joint.

PS anybody got a spare rubber cap for a steering rod ball joint.

Bill,

I don't know about the UK, but Autozone, the American auto parts company stocks them. Their part number is 13566.

The rubber covers are probably available over here, but tend to not get listed on the parts websites.

I'll probably replace the whole joint when I get around to it.


Meanwhile I have worse problems as my Cylinder Head has given up the ghost.
It seems that chamber 3 cracked again first time the engine was run today, after having a prior crack welded.

Standard or big valve ? Weber or Stromberg?

Bill, those track rod ends (ball joints) complete with the rubber seal are so cheap I'm surprised anyone is trying to fit a new rubber. Are we talking about the same thing? Post a picture?

Regards