Lotus Elise Service Notes page 318

D Lotus Service Notes Section JH
the housing and track rod. Check for consequent damage or wear and replace the steering gear assembly if
necessary. Fit the new gaiter into position, and secure with new retaining clips.
HE.6 - RACK & PINION ASSEMBLY REMOVAL/REPLACEMENT
The rack and pinion assembly is mounted inside an extruded chassis box section crossmember at the top
front of the footwell. Each of the two rack housing mounting plinths uses an M10 (upper) and M8 (lower) fixing
bolt to secure the housing to the vertical rear face of the crossmember. A steel reinforcment channel is bonded
to the outide of the crossmember, with a riveted height setting plate to define the vertical position of the
housing. Note that the only approved repairs or adjustments to the steering rack assembly are the replace-
ment of the track rod ends and rack housing gaiters, and the adjustment of the rack pressure pad.
Steering rack
assembly
Steel reinforcement channel (bonded)
Height setting plate
M10 fixing bolt
M8 fixing bolt
Pop rivet
Chassis
crossmember
HtmI
To Remove/Replace Steering Assembly
1. Remove the nut securing each track rod end to the steering arm, and use a ball joint splitter to separate
the joint.
2. From inside the footwell, match mark the pinion shaft against the u/j yoke to aid steering wheel alignment
on re-assembly, and remove the pinch bolt.
3. From inside the footwell, remove the two M8 and M10 bolts securing the rack housing.
4. Draw the housing forwards to disengage the intermediate shaft u/j, and manoeuvre the assembly out of
the chassis crossmember.
Page 318 1998 / 03