Steering Wheel Alignment - Lotus Evora Service Notes

Lotus Service Notes
v) Unclip the top part of the column shroud, then remove the lower part after releasing the three retaining
screws.
vi) Locate and unplug the airbag harness from the rotary connector. Note that the connector socket is fitted
with 'shorting bars' which automatically interconnect the high and low terminals of the airbag to prevent
unschedules deployment caused by a voltage differential.
1. On the reverse side of the steering wheel, release the two Torx head screws, accessible via holes in the
plastic shroud around the steering wheel hub.
2. Withdraw the airbag module and disconnect the two airbag harness connectors and the two horn leads.
WARNING: When carrying a live airbag module, make sure the bag and trim cover are pointed away
from you. In case of an accidental deployment, the bag will then deploy with minimal chance of injury.
When placing a live airbag module on a bench or other surface, always face the bag and trim cover
upwards, away from the surface. This is necessary so that a free space is provided to allow the airbag
to expand in the unlikely event of accidental deployment.
3. Unplug the cruise control harness and the airbag/horn harness from the rotary connector.
4. Ensure the wheels are pointing straight ahead, match mark the wheel to the column, and remove the
steering wheel retaining bolt. Note that the wheel is located on a steep angle hexagonal taper on the
column.
CAUTION: If excessive force is applied to either the steering wheel or column, the break-out in-
serts securing the column to the fascia bracket may be disturbed, necessitating replacement of
the complete column. If necessary, use an appropriate puller.
5. If necessary, remove the cruise control switches and trim by carefully prising away from the double sided
tape fixing. Remove the 4 screws to release the cover from the wheel reverse side.
6. Refit in reverse order to removal, but before fitting the steering wheel, it is essential to centralise the rotary
connector, or the unit will be broken when lock is applied. Turn the connector fully clockwise until it tightens,
and then turn back just over two turns until the red marker appears in the square window. Note that this
instruction is printed on the rotary connector. Ensure the road wheels are pointing straight ahead and fit
the steering wheel with the match marks aligned. Tighten the steering wheel retaining bolt to 50 Nm.
When fitting the jump harness for the cruise controls, ensure the cable is routed through the channel
provided in the steering wheel carrier.
7. After re-assembly, check that the airbag tell tale lights for a few seconds with ignition, and then goes
out.

Steering Wheel Alignment

Ideally, the steering wheel should align in the straight running position, with the steering rack centralised
and with equal track rod lengths. In practice, a minor compromise to track rod lengths may have to be made.
To arrive at the optimum setting, proceed as follows:
Note that only one splined joint in the steering system allows a choice of position, this being the connec-
tion of the lower column to the rack pinion shaft.
1. Set the front wheel alignment to specification with equal track rod lengths (see sub-section CK.2).
2. With the wheels pointing straight ahead, fit the steering wheel on the column hexagonal taper in the straight
ahead position, and secure with the retaining bolt, torque tightening to 50 Nm.
3. Road test the car and mark the actual 'straight ahead' position of the wheel which should deviate from
the ideal position by less than 5°. If more than this, the lower column should be released from the rack
pinion shaft and re-positioned on the splines before repeating the procedure.
4. Final steering wheel alignment is achieved by asymmetric adjustment of the track rods, retaining the
overall toe-out setting.
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Section HI