Solid mounting kit for the Lotus Elan and Elan +2 steering rack
Bump steer is best described as “a change of wheel direction without any input from the steering wheel”.
Bump steer adjustment is usually made by adding or subtracting shims directly underneath the steering rack mounts.
The standard steering rack mounts on a Lotus Elan or Elan +2 are derived directly from the Triumph, Spitfire, GT6, etc.
At the time of production, the Lotus Factory used much of the Triumph front suspension and associated steering rack components.
The Triumph donor sourced components were a simple and cost effective solution that results in the direct steering experienced when driving an Elan or Elan +2.
Whilst this combination of components produces satisfactory results, however it does mean the steering rack is rubber mounted and this can result in some undesirable movement.
To eliminate all steering rack movement and obtain the optimum bump steer results, then it is advisable to remove the rubber mounts and replace them with solid mounts. It should be noted that removing the rubber mounts does not result in excessive noise transmitted back into the cabin.
These aluminium alloy mounts are safety critical components and are correctly designed to prevent lateral movement or rotation of the rack assembly.
Accurate measurements ensure the steering rack centre-line to chassis platform distance is correct.
This is important so optimum bump steer adjustment is achieved.
Lotus Marques can supply stainless steel shims so Lotus Elan owners can make their own adjustment.
It is worth noting our UK competitors continue to produce unsafe components that are made from castings or aluminium clamps that are too narrow.
Both of these offerings demonstrate a lack of understanding of what it takes to design safe components that eliminate steering rack lateral movement.
Lotus Marques takes safety seriously and uses SOLIDWORKS® 3D CAD software to ensure the aluminium clamps fasten the rack securely and locate the fasteners perfectly in the existing chassis holes.
Using SOLIDWORKS® 3D CAD software ensures a high quality alloy component is produced when CNC machined.
The choice of aluminium alloy 6061 guarantees a high strength component and longevity.
During installation it is important to orientate the clamps so the thicker part faces outwards to make physical contact with the limiting flanges.
To install the steering rack correctly, the pinion gear should be turned to the straight ahead position. This is determined by moving the rack to the full extent in both directions and counting the number of pinion gear revolutions and then dividing by two. The pinion gear should then be turned to the mid-point to set the straight ahead position. Once the straight ahead position has been set, the steering rack and alloy mounts should be installed in the corresponding holes. The tie-rod lengths should then be initially adjusted so the front wheels are parallel. Weight = 660 grams for a pair of mounts
Stainless steel shim 0.040 inch, part number LM-A036H0060 @ $5.40 each
Stainless steel shim 0.021 inch, part number LM-A036H0061 @ $5.40 each
Pricing for a pair of aluminium mounts and mounting kit (including Allen screws, Nyloc nuts and washers) $175.00 excluding GST.
Pricing is correct as of 11/3/2024
Installation advice
It is recommended that the chassis mounting platform for the steering rack be carefully measured to check the channel width and the spacing of the fastener holes.
Unfortunately back in the 1960's when the Lotus Elan chassis was manufactured, there were no flat bed laser cutters or CNC bending machines for sheet metalwork.
From experience, using a manual bending machine it would be easy to introduce dimensional errors whilst folding the supporting channel.
The length of the aluminium alloy mount is 75mm and this should be a snug fit when located in the chassis channel.
Next is to check the fastener centre to centre dimension which should be 42mm. Dummy installing the alloy clamp, the fasteners should line up with the holes in the chassis.
If your chassis suffers badly from manufacturing tolerances, then it may be necessary to carry out some minor fettling to get the clamps to fit snugly within the channel.
Copyright © 2024 Lotus Marques
Bump steer is best described as “a change of wheel direction without any input from the steering wheel”.
Bump steer adjustment is usually made by adding or subtracting shims directly underneath the steering rack mounts.
The standard steering rack mounts on a Lotus Elan or Elan +2 are derived directly from the Triumph, Spitfire, GT6, etc.
At the time of production, the Lotus Factory used much of the Triumph front suspension and associated steering rack components.
The Triumph donor sourced components were a simple and cost effective solution that results in the direct steering experienced when driving an Elan or Elan +2.
Whilst this combination of components produces satisfactory results, however it does mean the steering rack is rubber mounted and this can result in some undesirable movement.
To eliminate all steering rack movement and obtain the optimum bump steer results, then it is advisable to remove the rubber mounts and replace them with solid mounts. It should be noted that removing the rubber mounts does not result in excessive noise transmitted back into the cabin.
These aluminium alloy mounts are safety critical components and are correctly designed to prevent lateral movement or rotation of the rack assembly.
Accurate measurements ensure the steering rack centre-line to chassis platform distance is correct.
This is important so optimum bump steer adjustment is achieved.
Lotus Marques can supply stainless steel shims so Lotus Elan owners can make their own adjustment.
It is worth noting our UK competitors continue to produce unsafe components that are made from castings or aluminium clamps that are too narrow.
Both of these offerings demonstrate a lack of understanding of what it takes to design safe components that eliminate steering rack lateral movement.
Lotus Marques takes safety seriously and uses SOLIDWORKS® 3D CAD software to ensure the aluminium clamps fasten the rack securely and locate the fasteners perfectly in the existing chassis holes.
Using SOLIDWORKS® 3D CAD software ensures a high quality alloy component is produced when CNC machined.
The choice of aluminium alloy 6061 guarantees a high strength component and longevity.
During installation it is important to orientate the clamps so the thicker part faces outwards to make physical contact with the limiting flanges.
To install the steering rack correctly, the pinion gear should be turned to the straight ahead position. This is determined by moving the rack to the full extent in both directions and counting the number of pinion gear revolutions and then dividing by two. The pinion gear should then be turned to the mid-point to set the straight ahead position. Once the straight ahead position has been set, the steering rack and alloy mounts should be installed in the corresponding holes. The tie-rod lengths should then be initially adjusted so the front wheels are parallel. Weight = 660 grams for a pair of mounts
Stainless steel shim 0.040 inch, part number LM-A036H0060 @ $5.40 each
Stainless steel shim 0.021 inch, part number LM-A036H0061 @ $5.40 each
Pricing for a pair of aluminium mounts and mounting kit (including Allen screws, Nyloc nuts and washers) $175.00 excluding GST.
Pricing is correct as of 11/3/2024
Installation advice
It is recommended that the chassis mounting platform for the steering rack be carefully measured to check the channel width and the spacing of the fastener holes.
Unfortunately back in the 1960's when the Lotus Elan chassis was manufactured, there were no flat bed laser cutters or CNC bending machines for sheet metalwork.
From experience, using a manual bending machine it would be easy to introduce dimensional errors whilst folding the supporting channel.
The length of the aluminium alloy mount is 75mm and this should be a snug fit when located in the chassis channel.
Next is to check the fastener centre to centre dimension which should be 42mm. Dummy installing the alloy clamp, the fasteners should line up with the holes in the chassis.
If your chassis suffers badly from manufacturing tolerances, then it may be necessary to carry out some minor fettling to get the clamps to fit snugly within the channel.
Copyright © 2024 Lotus Marques
