Steering Column Interference
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My 1966 S2 Elan is throwing a bit of a curve-ball. The underdash square-looking steering column/shaft coupler is contacting the brake pedal mount pretty hard, messing up the steering smoothness big-time (see pic). The only solution I found on LotusElan.net was to make a smaller steel one. Seems like just about any S1 or S2 would have to deal with this issue. I'd appreciate it if one of you S2 guys could look at that coupler on your car and tell me how it clears the brake pedal mount. Better yet, could you post a picture?
Thanks, Wil
Thanks, Wil
Last edited by WilST on Sun Jun 25, 2017 11:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Pacific NorthWest USA
'Memes are not Facts'
Elan S2 26/4441 (Archivist Verified)
Panoz Esperante (an updated Elan)
550 Maranello (easy to get in trouble with that one)
Range Rover 2-Door 5-sp. (scarce in US)
'Memes are not Facts'
Elan S2 26/4441 (Archivist Verified)
Panoz Esperante (an updated Elan)
550 Maranello (easy to get in trouble with that one)
Range Rover 2-Door 5-sp. (scarce in US)
- WilST
- First Gear
- Posts: 33
- Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Just been out to take a pic of mine, but I've just realized that yours must be left hand drive, so probably not much help. Mine clears the clutch pedal easily as you can see
However I wonder if the clamp on yours is the same as on mine, can't tell to be sure. Sorry not been much help on reflection
However I wonder if the clamp on yours is the same as on mine, can't tell to be sure. Sorry not been much help on reflection
1965 Elan S2 (26/4726)
2002 Elise S2 (now sold )
1970 Scimitar GTE
"The older I get the better I was !"
2002 Elise S2 (now sold )
1970 Scimitar GTE
"The older I get the better I was !"
- Geoffers71
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Try moving the whole outer column towards the driver a fraction then the clamp can be moved upwards a fraction too. The steering wheel is a fraction closer, but personally I like that with my T-rex arms.
Graeme
S4 SE
S2 GTS
Caterham 420R
Sold - Peterson JPS Exige
S4 SE
S2 GTS
Caterham 420R
Sold - Peterson JPS Exige
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661 - Coveted Fifth Gear
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That looks very strange. Take a look at Phil's and my photos at:
lotus-chassis-f36/pedal-box-photo-t29885.html
There's plenty of clearance.
Nick
lotus-chassis-f36/pedal-box-photo-t29885.html
There's plenty of clearance.
Nick
-
elanner - Fourth Gear
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Imho the outer steering column has been clamped too low. Maybe someone tried to push the steering wheel further away from the driver.
Alan
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
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Yes, LHD. Thanks all for the replies. Graeme, that's what I'm going to try next, though there doesn't seem much room for moving the coupling column/shaft ass'y either towards the driver or towards the center of the car. Hope I'm wrong.
Thx,
Wil
Thx,
Wil
Pacific NorthWest USA
'Memes are not Facts'
Elan S2 26/4441 (Archivist Verified)
Panoz Esperante (an updated Elan)
550 Maranello (easy to get in trouble with that one)
Range Rover 2-Door 5-sp. (scarce in US)
'Memes are not Facts'
Elan S2 26/4441 (Archivist Verified)
Panoz Esperante (an updated Elan)
550 Maranello (easy to get in trouble with that one)
Range Rover 2-Door 5-sp. (scarce in US)
- WilST
- First Gear
- Posts: 33
- Joined: 20 Sep 2010
WilST wrote:Yes, LHD. Thanks all for the replies. Graeme, that's what I'm going to try next, though there doesn't seem much room for moving the coupling column/shaft ass'y either towards the driver or towards the center of the car. Hope I'm wrong.
Thx,
Wil
It won't move sideways. It will move up. Disconnect the impact clamp, loosen the two brackets that hold the outer column. It should then be able to be moved up to the point you want. It will take the upper inner column withe steering wheel attached with it.
Graeme
S4 SE
S2 GTS
Caterham 420R
Sold - Peterson JPS Exige
S4 SE
S2 GTS
Caterham 420R
Sold - Peterson JPS Exige
-
661 - Coveted Fifth Gear
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- Joined: 29 Mar 2012
Check to see if the Steering Rack has been bolted to the Chassis using the correct holes.
To attach the Rack to the Chassis there are 8 HOLES for LHD you need to use the 2 on each side to the LEFT.
On my RHD Elan the 2 on each side to the RIGHT are used.
That's to say your Rack has been position for RHD and not LHD .
I hope i'm right because it can be fixed in 10 minutes.
Alan
To attach the Rack to the Chassis there are 8 HOLES for LHD you need to use the 2 on each side to the LEFT.
On my RHD Elan the 2 on each side to the RIGHT are used.
That's to say your Rack has been position for RHD and not LHD .
I hope i'm right because it can be fixed in 10 minutes.
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
- alan.barker
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661 wrote:WilST wrote:Yes, LHD. Thanks all for the replies. Graeme, that's what I'm going to try next, though there doesn't seem much room for moving the coupling column/shaft ass'y either towards the driver or towards the center of the car. Hope I'm wrong.
Thx,
Wil
It won't move sideways. It will move up. Disconnect the impact clamp, loosen the two brackets that hold the outer column. It should then be able to be moved up to the point you want. It will take the upper inner column withe steering wheel attached with it.
The upper column bracket is fastened to the dash {I think} & you need to remove the knee trim to get at it it to move the steering wheel back.
See: lotus-suspension-f42/taking-the-collapsable-steering-column-apart-t18248-15.html
And: lotus-suspension-f42/steering-column-mount-t23330.html#p145093
Bill Williams
36/6725 S3 Coupe OGU108E Yellow over Black.
36/6725 S3 Coupe OGU108E Yellow over Black.
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Thanks much for all the good input! It broke the situation loose, been a bit mind-locked on this one.
The rack is mounted in the left-hand holes as correct. The outer steering column was too far down (the rubber bushes weren't showing), so loosened column and coupling clamp fasteners, pulled the assembly up a bit and--job done. Thanks all for the great help.
The rack is mounted in the left-hand holes as correct. The outer steering column was too far down (the rubber bushes weren't showing), so loosened column and coupling clamp fasteners, pulled the assembly up a bit and--job done. Thanks all for the great help.
Pacific NorthWest USA
'Memes are not Facts'
Elan S2 26/4441 (Archivist Verified)
Panoz Esperante (an updated Elan)
550 Maranello (easy to get in trouble with that one)
Range Rover 2-Door 5-sp. (scarce in US)
'Memes are not Facts'
Elan S2 26/4441 (Archivist Verified)
Panoz Esperante (an updated Elan)
550 Maranello (easy to get in trouble with that one)
Range Rover 2-Door 5-sp. (scarce in US)
- WilST
- First Gear
- Posts: 33
- Joined: 20 Sep 2010
Thanks for finishing the story, bravo
Alan
Alan
Alan.b Brittany 1972 elan sprint fhc Lagoon Blue 0460E
- alan.barker
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- Joined: 06 Dec 2008
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