Lotus 2004 Eleven Service Notes page 234

Lotus Service Notes
General Layout
Track rod
end
Thrust pad
adjuster
HG.1 - GENERAl DESCRIPTION
The steering system of the Elise comprises a telescopically collapsible upper column assembly, connecting
to a rigidly mounted rack and pinion assembly via a universally jointed intermediate shaft. The steering rack
tie rods connect to rearward facing steering arms bolted to the forged steel front hub carriers, with geometry
providing 30% Ackermann effect, and a toe-out on bump characteristic. No power assistance is provided.
Prior to June '04, the steering rack assembly used a one-piece, alloy, pinion/rack housing, superseded
after that time by a cast alloy pinion housing mated to a tubular steel rack housing.
The upper column is fixed to the scuttle beam, with the column upper bearing carrier also providing
mountings for the steering lock and column switches. 'Break out' inserts fitted in the column upper mounting
flanges, allow for telescoping of the column in a frontal collision. The steering rack assembly, which provides
2.4 turns from lock to lock at a 15.8:1 ratio, is rigidly mounted inside a chassis transverse extrusion behind the
top wishbone rear pivots.
HG.2 - STEERING WHEEl
Non Airbag Type: The alloy three spoke steering wheel, has a leather trimmed rim and moulded rubber cov-
ered spokes, and is secured to the column via a 36 spline boss. The horn button is mounted in the steering
wheel centre pad which is supported by a collapsible steel spider bolted to the hub of the wheel. The positive
feed to the horn button is supplied via a spring loaded contact housed in the column switch carrier, and a slip
ring mounted on the forward side of the wheel. The earth contact of the button is connected to a terminal on
the spider.
Airbag Type: The alloy three spoke steering wheel has a leather trimmed rim and moulded rubber covered
spokes which incorporate horn buttons in the outer ends of each of the nominally horizontal spokes. An airbag
Page 2
Intermediate
column
Lower
u/j
Rack housing
Gaiter
Section HG
Upper column
mountings
Upper u/j
Track rod
Upper column
assembly
Rack mounting
plinth
h55