Lotus Europa Community
Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: Runningwild on Thursday,November 01, 2018, 02:42:12 PM
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Picture 1 shows the RD steering colum u-joint
Picture 2 shows the end of my column
Does the u-joint take the place of the end by the red pen?
Picture 3 shows the bracket holding the column to the dash
Is this the correct way to mount this bracket?
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Picture 3. Normally this is mounted at an angle. The bracket should be drilled for mounting to both left and right hand drive.
The U clamp holds the column to this bracket, and the bracket is held to the bottom of the dashboard by the bolts from the angle and foam with black leathercloth finish.
Don't forget the bracket from the door with the courtesy light switch.
The column is a real bitch to fit. Don't put the steering wheel on until the end as you have to bolt it all up in the upside down "full Lotus" position.
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There is also a shaft lock assembly that you have not shown. Inspect the column shaft under the dash support. I had quite a bit a wear there .
I will check if your not 3 pic is correct but it looked correct at first glance. Found it see pic
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Use washers under the column u-bolt's nuts.
Remove the nut and bolt on the other side of the rubber from the red pen to remove the old u-joint.
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Thanks guys. Making progress but slowly.
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Got the column all apart. Is there any special type of grease I should use?
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Got the column all apart. Is there any special type of grease I should use?
If you are you referring to the u-joint it’s a solid needle bearing, so no , however you may want some anti seize on the shaft connector. Chapter h does mention lubrication see chapter O , but it was just for other items.
Is your column disassembled? See my pic ? It may be a good idea to clean and lube the steering lock assembly and the telescoping shafts.
Dakazman
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Dakazman. Yes all apart and cleaned up. Just wondering what to lube the shafts with. Anti seize or a grease? Tom
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Hi Tom,
I polished the shafts on a buffing wheel with red/white rouge after first sanding with 1000 and finer sandpaper. Then used a dry lube, liquid wrench, when assembling.
I also replaced the inner bushes.
Dave
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Antiseize on the splines/u-joint connection. White lithium grease on the column's plastic bushings.