Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Morning all, some advice needed here please. I'm restoring a '73 Plus 2S 130 and am currently trying to strip the steering rack.

Firstly, how do I get the pinion out? According to the manual I need to remove the circlip (done) and 'withdraw the pinion being careful not to lose the dowel pin'. I can't make the bugger shift!

Secondly, I think the rack may be bent slightly, it'll go full left lock but stops about 1.5" short of full right lock. The rack looks to have a very slight bend around the NS mount/U bolt location. Once dismantled I was planning to put the rack between centres in a lathe and run a dial gauge along the length and then support either side of the perceived bend and apply pressure to the high point with a press to straighten it. Does this sound feasible or am I wasting my time?

Did you slacken or remove the backlash adjuster that pushes the rack into engagement with the pinion? That is unlikely to be the only problem. I suspect that heating the aluminum housing will be necessary.

This thread may be of help:
elan-archive-f16/steering-rack-pinion-removal-t6079.html

Thanks for the replies guys

Russ, Yes, I've removed the cap with the shims, the spring and the plunger that keeps the rack pushed against the pinion and it still won't shift. I've also tried gently with a punch from the bottom end of the pinion but that just locks the whole mechanism up. It'll only move a few thou, I think that's the bush and thrust washer I'm moving and they won't go past the rack causing the binding. It seems like some heat may be the way forward then?

Brian, thanks I'll have a read.

So the instruction originally quoted "withdraw" is the key then.
What a wonderfully precise language English is when we think about it.

Or an alternative may be to use a certain amount of crude brute force to get the bush out as per this video
https://youtu.be/c7vd5sP1nng
He has a part 2 for rebuild.

Or if you want to see a lotus rack:
https://youtu.be/fi_UhwxRnMs

If you are in the UK take or send to:
https://www.kileyclinton.com/

Very good and price good as well. Have just rebuilt my +2 rack.

Paul

+1 to KileyClinton.
I knew my rack was bent so I didn't lay a spanner on it.
A really fast turn around and a keen price compared to an exchange from the usual suspects.