Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Both of the ones pictured are splined Sandy. I suspect part of the problem is the spline is cut too large and when trying to tighten, the UJ spline teeth closest to the gap catch the shaft teeth and prevent the UJ bore from pulling around the diameter like a simple shaft clamp would. This is probably not my best work in describing what I think is happening.

el-saturn wrote:none of these are splined, so friction alone is disturbing imo. my standard (are splined as we know) ones have nylon washers** (so everything CAN be tightened properly, so there's no play) ..................and nothing slips (** = instead of too flexible rubber ones) sandy

Eh? Both pictures clearly show splined interiors.

I bought one from a Triumph specialist. It's the folded sheet design and yes, I had to torque the bolts up quite a bit to remove play in the splined sections, but once done it's solid. I still have the old one if anyone wants it.. I'd never go back.

I seem to be creating nothing but confusion in this thread. The first picture is from RD's website, but the second picture is not the Dave Bean U-joint. I found a photo of the style I referred to as a folded steel design and posted it for explanatory purposes since DB doesn't have an online catalog available with photos. That's why I wrote "The Dave Bean version looks more like this." but I should have been clearer. Both the Dave Bean and RD Enterprises U-joints are splined. It sounds like I received a bad one from DB. YMMV

-John

I got one of the cast type like in John's picture from a Triumph specialist (now getting their catalogs too...), and found it was almost too tight to fit, this after I cleaned the splines. I hope I never have to get it apart!

Just fitted a new Track Rod end on driver's side. I thought i would have a look at the Steering UJ while i was under "Little Lo" and i think it has seen better days.
I will order a new one and i'm going for the sjsportscars one, it looks very bling bling ☺
Alan

el-saturn wrote:none of these are splined, so friction alone is disturbing imo. my standard (are splined as we know) ones have nylon washers** (so everything CAN be tightened properly, so there's no play) ..................and nothing slips (** = instead of too flexible rubber ones) sandy

The one I got from RDE a few years back was/is splined.

alan.barker wrote:Just fitted a new Track Rod end on driver's side. I thought i would have a look at the Steering UJ while i was under "Little Lo" and i think it has seen better days.
I will order a new one and i'm going for the sjsportscars one, it looks very bling bling ☺
Alan

The SJ SportsCar one looks like the problematic original design with the internal rubber grommets, not the solid ones being discussed here. Unless I just looked in the wrong place.

I just looked and yes you're right it has the rubber bushes.
But it's been on the car since 1985 when Saint Wilkins changed the Chassis.
The all metal ones do look stronger and no earthing problem for the Horns.
I wonder why the original ones had the rubber bushes (vibration ). Or maybe just nice and cheap Standard Triumph .
Alan

I suspect Colin & Co chose it for the latter reason.