Steering Play

[Bavarian Éclat]

Hi,

I have a question regarding the manual steering of the Eclat. I do not have a powersteer.
Unfortunately my steering has a lot of play, I would say (just a feeling) I have around 20° before the steering reacts.

Is there any possibility to readjust the steering?

[rbgosling]

First job is to find out where the free play is coming in to the system.

Ideally you need someone to wiggle gently the steering wheel, while you inspect every connection - the UJ(s) in the steering column, the connections between UJ and shafts as well as the joint itself, the steering rack , tie rod ends. Not sure about the Eclat, but the Excel has a sliding joint in the column below the wheel (for safety, to prevent the steering column impaling the driver in a crash) that could also be suspect. Often a hand can feel a movement that the eye cannot see, so feel the joints while someone wiggles the steering wheel.

When I had free play it was both the UJ, and the UJ clamp onto the upper steering column.

[Bavarian Éclat]

Thank you Richard, highly appreciated.
I will investigate more in detail and hopefully find the issue.

[Alan_M]

Richard gives good advice - also dont forget to check play in trunnion on these.

Also a very common problem with the manual rack is the bush at the end opposite the pinion disintegrates into hundreds of bits of whatever material it is made of.
Easy enough to check - get hold of passenger side of rack and move it up/down/side to side - should be very minimal play if this bush is ok. It’ll have loads of play if bush is shot.
It is possible to replace this, but you need to strip the rack.

You can still get the original from SJ, or a much better delrin one from the DeLorean guys (same rack)
https://www.deloreango.com/uk/steering- ... ernal.html

There is also a full rebuild kit using a bronze bush from here - https://lotusmarques.com/parts/news/129 ... erhaul-kit

Or get yours rebuilt professionally.

[Bavarian Éclat]

I used the weekend to take a closer look and found out, that the steering unit is loose.
If I turn the steering wheel, the column rotates properly, but the steering unit moves slightly left and right before the wheels are moved.

I have also realized, that in the workshop manual (Steering, Page 12) the steering unit is fixed with a U-Shaped "bolt" which is holding the part in place.
In my car, there are two 5/16" bolts used. One on each side.
Unfortunately, one of them was so damaged, that my careful screwing ripped a few threads apart.
I will now need to somehow replace the damaged thread. I think I will use M8, which is close to 5/16".

[Pete Boole]

You could "Helicoil" the threads while you have the steering rack out.

Pete

[Bavarian Éclat]

Good Idea, I just checked and saw, that there are some available for 5/16".
I will take a closer look.

[Bavarian Éclat]

Soooo... I tinkered
For testing I used an M6 Screw and washers to keep the steering gear in position.
I made a 100km (60 Miles?) drive to check the "fixing" and I was astonished.
It is sooo much better currently. Yes, there is still some play, but way less than before.

Now I need to find a way to properly fix the steering gear and I can tick off one of the issues from the box