Elise S2 Steering Rack Problems

[rpm100]

Hi,
had my car serviced at horizon motorsports in cradley heath about two weeks ago and asked them to have a look at the steering as there was a constant knocking noise when the wheel was moved left to right just past the straight ahead position. This has been getting worse over a period of about three months, assumed it was maybe just a joint loose, but turned out that apperantly the whole rack needs replacing?, how can a steering rack fail? and has anyone else had a similar problem? please let me know on your thoughts!

cheers

[beachbum]

Had exactly the same thing happen on a 9month old 111R. Seems to be a known issue, the dealer I had taken mine to, had another 111R in the previous month with the same issue.

Seems that one of the teeth on a cog broke lose and was possible floating around catching againt the rack. The dealer after a second visit agreed to do it there and then (Warranty Thankfully)

Not sure it helps you much, other than possibly giving you some info you can beat up your dealer with. Might be able to get Lotus to admit to an inherent defect, but I doubt it

[MJK 24]

Steering racks do wear very quickly on Elise's and it's not at all uncommon for them to need replacement relatively early on in a cars life.

Just the nature of the beast unfortunately.

[xxplod]

Yes, same happened on my S2 111S (2002 car). I had a protracted argument with Lotus. Westover didn't diagnose what it was at first, mine spent many weeks at Westovers (who to be fair tried their best and were very helpful - no qualms with them at all). In the end it went to the factory (at my expense, had to drop it off - get a train, come back etc...)and they confirmed it was the rack and after numerous e-mails and phone calls arguing whether it was covered by warranty and indeed whether it was reasonable for such a component to fail regardless, Lotus eventually paid for it.

What annoyed me was the battle I had. I'd bought 3 new Lotus Elises in 5 years and was looking towards a fourth. I'm not saying I wouldn't have another Elise, far from it, but I was disappointed with Lotus. They really should have pulled their socks up and sorted it out without argument.

I have a Cayman S arrving in January.

[rpm100]

I spoke to the very helpfull chap at horizon, and he said that it wasn't an uncommon fault with the s1's, and because the s2 rack is virtually the same part (i think it's just the end fittings that are different) they are likley to develop the same problem.

as i see it i have four options,

1. get the rack replaced with a new lotus original part.

2. get a lotus refurbished part (Horizon to supply)

3. fit a different make of rack designed for the elise (for fear of the lotus part failing again) details @
www.eliseparts.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=95&products_id=552

4. or do i just drive it till the wheels fall off!

opinions appreciated!

[[k]ar|]

Same here with my '54' plate 111r. There is an annoying clunk when I go over a bump or when I wibble the steering wheel. I dropped it in to be checked by the dealer, only to be told it's likely to be the steering rack. However, I'm still waiting for a field engineer to visit to inspect the fault before the warranty work can be done, and it's been over a month now .

[k]

[bogie]

had mine replaced at 54K on my 2002 S2 - seems like a weak point on the car as its quite common.....

[beachbum]

[quote=[k]ar|]Same here with my '54' plate 111r. There is an annoying clunk when I go over a bump or when I wibble the steering wheel. I dropped it in to be checked by the dealer, only to be told it's likely to be the steering rack. However, I'm still waiting for a field engineer to visit to inspect the fault before the warranty work can be done, and it's been over a month now .

[k]

[/quote]

Tell them that if they are happy for you to drive it, whilst waiting for a Field Engineer to turn up, you want a signed document stating that they will accept any issues that arise as a result of the delay.
Reason for this, was that in my instance, one of the teeth had broken off and there was concern that it could then jam into the cogs and cause the whole rack to stop functioning at a critical moment e.g. going round a corner.
Funnily enough, that is usually enough for them to agree to do the repair there and then.

[markstevens]

rpm100 said:

Hi, had my car serviced at horizon motorsports in cradley heath about two weeks ago and asked them to have a look at the steering as there was a constant knocking noise when the wheel was moved left to right just past the straight ahead position. This has been getting worse over a period of about three months, assumed it was maybe just a joint loose, but turned out that apperantly the whole rack needs replacing?, how can a steering rack fail? and has anyone else had a similar problem? please let me know on your thoughts! cheers

Sounds like the problem I'm having. I had my car serviced and asked them to check it out. They test drove it and said it felt fine but if I had any problems with it they said I might need a new rack. They tightened up the universal joints but that didn't make any difference. I should get a new rack but money is tight at the mo.

[markstevens]

rpm100 said:

Hi, had my car serviced at horizon motorsports in cradley heath about two weeks ago and asked them to have a look at the steering as there was a constant knocking noise when the wheel was moved left to right just past the straight ahead position. This has been getting worse over a period of about three months, assumed it was maybe just a joint loose, but turned out that apperantly the whole rack needs replacing?, how can a steering rack fail? and has anyone else had a similar problem? please let me know on your thoughts! cheers

How much did they say it was going to cost by the way?

[S Works]

Common weakpoint in the Elise. Get a recon one, will cost you around £450 supplied & fitted by a good specialists... and Horizon are certainly that. You're lucky to have such a good, well respected independent near you. They did all the servicing and upgrades on my car for the previous owner and seem to have done a good job.

[[k]ar|]

beachbum said:

Tell them that if they are happy for you to drive it, whilst waiting for a Field Engineer to turn up, you want a signed document stating that they will accept any issues that arise as a result of the delay. Reason for this, was that in my instance, one of the teeth had broken off and there was concern that it could then jam into the cogs and cause the whole rack to stop functioning at a critical moment e.g. going round a corner. Funnily enough, that is usually enough for them to agree to do the repair there and then.

Holy crap - I'll have to get them on the blower tomorrow, as no-one told me about that possibility. The dealer technician told me that the car was safe to drive, but that as the clonk was "annoying" and there appeared to be a little play in the rack it would be sorted under the warranty.

Cue visions of me plunging off the road with the steering wheel pulled out of the dash, Wil-E-Coyote style

[k]