QUESTION
I'm contacting you because I have a US market 89 esprit turbo and have been having some slop develop.
The slop, to me, feels like free play in the steering, when a change in direction is needed.
I can move the steering wheel left and right easily before any resistance is felt or the tires begin to pivot.
I would guess 25-35mm in travel of my hand on the steering wheel before I see a change at the tire.
It developed during a long drive in the rain and initially noticed it as a clunking sound, with a related feeling traveling into my hands on the steering wheel.
Is there an easy way to decipher rack slop from a ball joint issue?
Also what is involved in removing it from the car and can it slip out one end of the wheel well without a major headache?
C.C. - USA
ANSWER
Free play at the steering wheel can be attributed to the following items -
1) lower steering column universal joint pinch bolt lose (from experience the 8mm bolt can work lose)
2) steering column universal joints worn
3) steering rack control arm outer ball joints worn
4) steering rack control arm inner ball joint worn
5) steering rack pinion bearings worn
6) steering rack and pinion teeth worn
To diagnose the steering free play it is necessary to raise the front of the Esprit for inspection purposes.
For safety reasons, your Lotus Esprit should be raised placed on axle-stands and both front wheels removed to carry out this task.
Work though the item list above and make sure there is no movement at any of these points.
An additional person would be useful to hold or turn the steering wheel (as appropriate) whilst examining each component.
Note - the steering rack control arm outer ball joint (tie-rod end) is a component that often wears and will exhibit the slop you describe.
To remove the steering rack it is necessary to disconnect the outer tie rod control joints, disconnect the lower steering column universal joint and remove the two steering rack clamps.
In the unlikely event you need to remove the steering rack then it should be removed from the drivers side.
This means the exit point should be on the left-hand side for a left-hand drive vehicle (USA specification Lotus Esprit)
Conversely, the exit point should be on the right-hand side for a right-hand drive vehicle (UK domestic specification Lotus Esprit)
The reason for this is, the pinion splined shaft protrudes from the steering rack housing and fouls the chassis if removal is attempted in the opposite direction.
Copyright © 2013 Lotus Marques
I'm contacting you because I have a US market 89 esprit turbo and have been having some slop develop.
The slop, to me, feels like free play in the steering, when a change in direction is needed.
I can move the steering wheel left and right easily before any resistance is felt or the tires begin to pivot.
I would guess 25-35mm in travel of my hand on the steering wheel before I see a change at the tire.
It developed during a long drive in the rain and initially noticed it as a clunking sound, with a related feeling traveling into my hands on the steering wheel.
Is there an easy way to decipher rack slop from a ball joint issue?
Also what is involved in removing it from the car and can it slip out one end of the wheel well without a major headache?
C.C. - USA
ANSWER
Free play at the steering wheel can be attributed to the following items -
1) lower steering column universal joint pinch bolt lose (from experience the 8mm bolt can work lose)
2) steering column universal joints worn
3) steering rack control arm outer ball joints worn
4) steering rack control arm inner ball joint worn
5) steering rack pinion bearings worn
6) steering rack and pinion teeth worn
To diagnose the steering free play it is necessary to raise the front of the Esprit for inspection purposes.
For safety reasons, your Lotus Esprit should be raised placed on axle-stands and both front wheels removed to carry out this task.
Work though the item list above and make sure there is no movement at any of these points.
An additional person would be useful to hold or turn the steering wheel (as appropriate) whilst examining each component.
Note - the steering rack control arm outer ball joint (tie-rod end) is a component that often wears and will exhibit the slop you describe.
To remove the steering rack it is necessary to disconnect the outer tie rod control joints, disconnect the lower steering column universal joint and remove the two steering rack clamps.
In the unlikely event you need to remove the steering rack then it should be removed from the drivers side.
This means the exit point should be on the left-hand side for a left-hand drive vehicle (USA specification Lotus Esprit)
Conversely, the exit point should be on the right-hand side for a right-hand drive vehicle (UK domestic specification Lotus Esprit)
The reason for this is, the pinion splined shaft protrudes from the steering rack housing and fouls the chassis if removal is attempted in the opposite direction.
Copyright © 2013 Lotus Marques