Steering Rack Grommet?

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Ferg
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Steering Rack Grommet?

Post by Ferg » Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:17 pm

When I removed the rack last weekend, the grommet that goes in the bulkhead and round the splinned shaft came out ripped, not sure if it was me or had been done before.

Image

I've spoken briefly with the parts dept at MMC and confirmed on a link from BellColvile that this costs about £40!!!!

http://www.bellandcolvill.com/lotus/par ... d/1146.htm

I'm wondering is anyone can confirm that either the S2 variant is different than that pictured above to cost 40 bucks, or if theres something else that will do the job. For instance, it looks very much like a throttle cable grommet.

Need to refit the rack this weekend so will order tomorrow if I need it....would rather find a cheaper solution.

Help appreciated as always :cheers

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robin
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Re: Steering Rack Grommet?

Post by robin » Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:18 pm

Stick it back together with super glue? Sticks rubber pretty well. Or use epoxy, though that'll take a little more finesse.

Cheers,
Robin
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Ferg
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Re: Steering Rack Grommet?

Post by Ferg » Mon Jun 11, 2012 10:22 pm

Good plan that man... It's just adust grommet as far as I can tell, so not critical.

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campbell
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Re: Steering Rack Grommet?

Post by campbell » Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:59 am

If you don't put it back right it might leak. Disaster! An S1 with a leak!
http://www.rathmhor.com | Coaching, training, consultancy

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Ferg
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Re: Steering Rack Grommet?

Post by Ferg » Tue Jun 12, 2012 9:10 am

:D I chuckled/questioned when the parts guy at MMC said he wouldn't be happy driving the car without it. He was beign helpful though, so can't blame him for trying to sell high margin parts.

I'll glue as suggested by Robin as see how it goes. I'll just remember not to use it as a submarine. :)

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campbell
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Re: Steering Rack Grommet?

Post by campbell » Tue Jun 12, 2012 10:33 am

Ferg wrote: I'll just remember not to use it as a submarine. :)
This is more or less what Kenneth Brown asked me after he'd inspected (and condemned) my rack due to corrosion of the rack bar, last summer.

Robin then recalled that we had done some "extreme fording" on the Fish n Chip run in the early noughties...ISTR that Tut had a bow wave up to the windscreen, and I certainly heard water sloshing about for many days after too ;-)
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tut
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Re: Steering Rack Grommet?

Post by tut » Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:16 pm

You were a young lad then Campbell. :D

tut

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Ferg
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Steering Rack Grommet? Super Glue FTW!

Post by Ferg » Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:57 pm

Just to note that the super glue worked incredibly well. The grommet survived being manhandled back into place. :D

Managed to get the refurbed rack in today. The weather was dreadful but it needed to go in today as time is short before TT. Have to thank Lou specifically as she adopted the Lotus position to help out.
Image

Took a bit to realise that removing both pinch bolts on the knuckle would make it far far easier to get the rack back in. The knuckle only goes on the column one way which I didn't realise so it all had to come apart again. doh! :roll:
Looks like I still have a miniscule amount of play in the upper rack, but with new rod ends and refurbed rack it feels a lot better even in the drive. Off to CLCM on Tuesday for tracking....

More to do before TT but getting there.:thumbsup

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