Securing the outer steering column clamps.

[Keith Scarfe]

I just thought I would pass on some words of wisdom to everyone.
I have just modified the securing clamps that hold the outer column up to the dash/bulkhead and what a fantastic difference. It feels like driving a new car. I really cant believe the difference. I dont know if anyone else has this problem but on mine before it felt like the steering rack was all notchy or has come loose and I was almost ready to strip the rack off and check it. What I did was to take off the lower 'U' clamp and replace the felt type material in there with some good dense rubber. Clamped it all up again and it is all lovely and solid now. The steering feels much more controled and tight and to boot, one of the main annoying rattles from under there has gone.
HTH someone.
Regards.
Keith.

[elj221c]

Perhaps you were missing the bent steel 'clip' that should be there?

Part 609639.

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID005441

[worzel]

Hi Keith

Never liked the way these were secured so I designed my own. Haven't any pictures unfortunately but could post hand drawings to enable others to copy. Basically I had a "U" bolt from an exhaust bracket modified by welding in a short run of 1 inch wide steel to the round end on the inner surface of the U bolt. This welded part in turn was welded to another bracket that was bolted to the body where the column exits/enters. Important to note that you have to end up with a U bolt that is angled in line with the angle of the outer column (obviously). Inside the U bolt I glued dense rubber (has to be reasonably compressible). To secure things, a half round strip of 1 inch steel (also fitted with a rubber insert) simply bolts up to the column. The result- it's possible to lever on the steering wheel (without even fitting the upper column bracket to the dashboard) and not have anything move. Made and fitted this about 20 odd years ago and it definitely is worth doing as the whole steering assembly thru the wheel feels a lot more "of a piece".

Cost- a couple of quid for the welding.

John

[saildrive2001]

Hi Roy,
I am just installing my steering column & have the spring clip but I don't see on the LOtus parts manual where it goes. I don't remember when I striped the car whther it was above or below the column. Does it actually go between the upper part of the cast support bracket & the outer column? The main part of the bracket taht is bolted to the dash has a plastic insert that confroms to the outer column & the metal insert that protects the wiring running down the column

[garyeanderson]

See this topic for more info.

elan-f14/steering-column-mount-t23330.html

Gary

[Crusty]

Just had to mention important to check the correct torque setting of the shear clamp at the bottom of the column we don?t want the steering wheel going through your chest on a front impact, I don?t think all Elans have the two part steering column though I stand to be corrected.

[saildrive2001]

Gary where did you find the drawing yu attached, I can't find anything like it in either the Lotus manual or the parts book?

[garyeanderson]

Page L 29

[elj221c]

Does it actually go between the upper part of the cast support bracket & the outer column? The main part of the bracket taht is bolted to the dash has a plastic insert that confroms to the outer column & the metal insert that protects the wiring running down the column

Keith,

Hopefully Gary's attachment shows what you need to know.

Ta, Gary

[saildrive2001]

Yes Roy it did & thanks to Gary for the info. The column is now in the car.

[oldelanman]

The main part of the bracket taht is bolted to the dash has a plastic insert that confroms to the outer column & the metal insert that protects the wiring running down the column

A word of warning......make sure that the plastic/rubber packer is only in the top (aluminium) part of the clamp. Mine had a packer in both upper and lower parts of the clamp and the result was the clip had crushed outer column.