Steering rack (Elise Mk 1)

eickhoff · Post by **eickhoff** » Mon 26 Dec, 2005 09:51

Hi Guys,

From various "buyers’ guides” is appears that it could potentially be a problem:

"The steering rack is prone to premature wear and can be expensive to replace." (Elises.co.uk buyers guide)

"Elise steering racks wear out within 35,000 miles. Therefore it is vital to check for play in the system before you buy, to see if a new one is needed. If this is the case, it is a useful haggling point when buying second-hand." (EVO buyer’s guide)

Have any of you experienced problems with an Elise Mk 1 steering rack? What are the "watch out" signs/feels? What are the costs to fix/replace the steering rack?

Thanks a lot!

Philip Eickhof

Lasse H · Post by **Lasse H** » Mon 26 Dec, 2005 13:30

Hi !
I´ve read the same negative reports on different Lotusforums.
Supposedly the oe steering rack was (is ?) of inferior quality and wears out within 50.000 km. The questionmark above reflects some comments on the fact that Lotus have changed subcontractor for its Elise steering-racks and later Elisemodels (ie S2) have sustained longer mileage.
I drove my first Elise (S1 MY -98) for approximately 40.000km with no problems whatsoever. Not with its steering-rack or with anything else !
I know the current owner of this car, and afaik he hasn´t experienced any problems either. My current car is a S2 MY -03. At the moment its odometer reads 32.000 km. Happy to say that I´ve had no problems with this car either ! Though I would like to have a quicker s-rack, so I just might change the oe rack for a Eliseparts Nitron qr. And unanimous comments claim this rack to be of a superior quality. Problem solved ?

regards
Lasse H

eickhoff · Post by **eickhoff** » Tue 27 Dec, 2005 13:16

Hi Lasse,

Thanks for the reply!

I'll be heading down to Germany later tonight to pick up my car. A silver 99' Mk 1!

On that, would it be ok for me to contact you if I have specific questions while I’m down there? Hopefully everything will be in good condition but it can be that a sudden question mark arise - where I need an expert view. Please feel free to send an SMS to 0709 95 54 13.

Thanks again for the reply!

All the best,

Philip

Lasse H · Post by **Lasse H** » Tue 27 Dec, 2005 16:06

Philip !

You are always welcome !
And good luck with your new car.
Where do you live, btw ?

regards
Lasse H