Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi

While turning the steering wheel today on my 69 Elan plus 2 while stationary and engine off, I heard a "clicking" noise from the vicinity of the steering rack, and the wheels didn't turn. I have had no problems with steering up until now. It sounds like the pinion isn't engaging with the rack, is that possible, and is there an adjustment to fix it ?

Thanks.

Check that the universal joint between the column and the steering box is not loose and slipping on the splines. This seems more likely to me.
Eric in Burnley
S3SE DHC

Yep, universal joint.
And don't even think of driving it.........

The other possibility is the that the pinions of the "inside bar" (A) of the rack and pinion assembly do not engange well (or are worn) with the piece (B) that is turned by the steering wheel. Sorry I have no idea about the names of these pieces.

In my case the small piece (pushed by a steel spring) presses B against A was worn. Exchanging that small piece solved the same problem. The symptoms in my case were sometimes clicking, "jumping pinions", especially in center position.

I would have thought if the pinion was wearing so badly, or was slowly moving away from the rack, the steering, prior to the weird noises, would have been alarmingly horrendous.
As in, huge amounts of slack. White knuckled, wide eyed stuff.
When the universal started to loosen on my car recently the slack was barely half an inch.
Tightening the bolts sorted it.