Vibration through shifter and steering wheel under hard accelletation

[Europa73]

Hi All,

For some reason, I am getting vibration through the stick shift and steering wheel under hard acceleration.

Could this be engine / gearbox mounts?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[jbcollier]

Yes, it could be.  What engine and gearbox?

[4129R]

 Could also be the driveshaft UJs.

Certainly worth checking all 4.

[Europa73]

Thanks for your notes.

I changed all 4 UJ's last year, and have done little to no miles since.

jbcollier - The car is a TCS with the big valve head and the standard 5 speed box

Cheers,

[jbcollier]

Just asked as the S1/2 rear mount is somewhat suspect.  By all means check for sagging mounts, motor mounts in particular.  The mount brackets can crack as well.

Under acceleration, things shift even with good mounts.  It is not unusual to have the gearshift shaft hit the driveshafts with a five speed.  Some people use a rubber strap to keep them apart.

[E Paul]

When mine did that it was a broken motor mount.

[Steve_Lindford]

Years ago my S2 broke an engine mount. It broke through the clutch cable retaining part of the mount. The first thing I noticed was the clutch pedal went down to the floor with no effect - and I naturally thought the cable had broke. When opening the rear lid the engine looked in a strange position and I realised it was a broken mount not the cable. I had the mount welded and asked them to fill the clutch cable hole as I didn't realise what it was there for leading to further complications later on!

[MRN I J]

I had 2 new drive shafts made & they vibrated similar to your findings on my S2 30+ years ago, I had them checked & we found both driveshafts running out of true,  had 2 new ones made properly by the company that checked them, we still use those people now, always good.

[BobW]

Years ago my S2 broke an engine mount. It broke through the clutch cable retaining part of the mount. The first thing I noticed was the clutch pedal went down to the floor with no effect - and I naturally thought the cable had broke. When opening the rear lid the engine looked in a strange position and I realised it was a broken mount not the cable. I had the mount welded and asked them to fill the clutch cable hole as I didn't realise what it was there for leading to further complications later on!

The same thing happened to my S2 about 12 years ago and I replaced both motor mounts. Oil leaks had turned the old rubber pretty soppy, so it was time anyway. I didn't note it at the time but my failing memory says that the arrangement for holding the clutch cable was slightly different on the replacement right-side mount. A member on this board whom I see from time to time is currently repairing a crack in his frame that he thinks was caused by the engine dropping onto it when the right side motor mount failed. The crack is just where contact would have been made.

[4129R]

Lotus moved the clutch cable bracket from welded to the chassis to bolted to the block, to stop clutch judder.

[GavinT]

Years ago my S2 broke an engine mount. It broke through the clutch cable retaining part of the mount. . .

Same here.
Mine was welded up by the PO but it was still kinda wonky.

I made a new mount bracket with the hole for the clutch cable lower down so it has a straighter pull for the bell housing clutch lever.
These ones are to suit an 844 block.