Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Mine is a 1968 Plus 2 which has the one piece column - Ford?

Anyway I acquired a replacement solid joint from one of the usual suppliers (folded metal type with UJ) and when I come to fit it it's sloppy and you can't get the correct size bolt through the holes. I'm not happy with it and it will go back, too much at stake to start messing about with such a critical item to try and make it work.

Can any recommend a quality reliable replacement unit?

Cheers

Jon

Hi Jon,
I had exactly the same problem with the poor quality folded metal type column joint I bought and I too sent mine back and had a refund!
I then bought this better quality type of column joint from Mev spares and it is a proper 'uj' joint and although slightly larger it fits just fine.
http://www.mevspares.co.uk/LOWER-STEERI ... 76&child=0

Alan.

Cheers Alan, I will order one of those!

...seems it was not just me then

Jon

You do know that those bolts have FLATS on them don't you? Which engage with flats on the steering column and on the stubby shaft coming out of the steering rack.

Round bolts won't go in there, methinks.

No Bill, the pinion end has half round grooves mid spline that the plain shank of the bolt engages with.

No flats on Bolts.
Groove on Pinion and a Flat on Inner Steering Column.
Alan

alanr wrote:Hi Jon,
I had exactly the same problem with the poor quality folded metal type column joint I bought and I too sent mine back and had a refund!
I then bought this better quality type of column joint from Mev spares and it is a proper 'uj' joint and although slightly larger it fits just fine.
http://www.mevspares.co.uk/LOWER-STEERI ... 76&child=0

Alan.

Mine has turned up Alan, it's a hefty bit of kit but so much better in every way than the pressed bit of crap it will replace. Thanks again for suggesting this.

Jon

Hi Jon,
Pleased you are happy with the Mev Spares column joint!.
It really is a proper piece of kit isn't it in comparison to that other folded metal column joint junk that all the usual suppliers are offering.

Alan

John

" Mine has turned up Alan, it's a hefty bit of kit " , a few minutes on the grindstone can help reduce weight and size.... would please CABC.

John

john.p.clegg wrote:John

" Mine has turned up Alan, it's a hefty bit of kit " , a few minutes on the grindstone can help reduce weight and size.... would please CABC.

John

That was my thought too John!

however, I will now make ever turn in confidence that it won't try to kill me

jono wrote:No Bill, the pinion end has half round grooves mid spline that the plain shank of the bolt engages with.

alan.barker wrote:No flats on Bolts.
Groove on Pinion and a Flat on Inner Steering Column.
Alan

Oh well, sorry.

Shows how long ago it was that I last disconnected the column from the rack.

No problem Bill we all forget details over the years and as time goes on it doesn't get better.
Alan