Steering rack advice
Discussion
Bit of a bummer. My pride and joy has a potential problem with the steering rack. At slow speeds get a 'light bumping:knocking noise' and slight but noticeable feel through the steering wheel. Local garage, while competent has diagnosed the problem but he's not a specialist so after a second opinion as it were.
Next problem is to identify the eventual cost of replacement. Looking to have it done by Lipscombs(Maidstone). I was advised it was a 3 day job, but not certain whether this was the work involved or the delivery of the rack plus fitting. I imagine that a rack cant be repaired.
Must admit to being 'anxious' about the cost of repair as I just see huge pound signs when considering the item and work involved
Any advice as to likely cost, best garage, or other ideas appreciated. Garage needs to be reputable and within a 150 radius of Dover.
Have to add its hugely disappointing if its the case. The car has only 11000 miles on the clock (Nov 2006) which to me hardly justifies such a problem.
Next problem is to identify the eventual cost of replacement. Looking to have it done by Lipscombs(Maidstone). I was advised it was a 3 day job, but not certain whether this was the work involved or the delivery of the rack plus fitting. I imagine that a rack cant be repaired.
Must admit to being 'anxious' about the cost of repair as I just see huge pound signs when considering the item and work involved
Any advice as to likely cost, best garage, or other ideas appreciated. Garage needs to be reputable and within a 150 radius of Dover.
Have to add its hugely disappointing if its the case. The car has only 11000 miles on the clock (Nov 2006) which to me hardly justifies such a problem.
don't panic...
it's likely to be the rack end cups, they are plastic and s
t.
they are easy enough to have changed, the biggest PITA is taking the rack out and putting it back in again, once out, it's a 10 minute job to change them (and do both ends!).
If your near Maidstone, then Maidstone Sports Cars can do this for you, certainly in a day.
it's likely to be the rack end cups, they are plastic and s
t.they are easy enough to have changed, the biggest PITA is taking the rack out and putting it back in again, once out, it's a 10 minute job to change them (and do both ends!).
If your near Maidstone, then Maidstone Sports Cars can do this for you, certainly in a day.
As Scuffers says, racks can be easily enough refurbed. You might find a steering rack specialist that can do this for you (I had mine done for £85 and it came back like new). Removed it and fitted it myself although its a PITS job (upside down with head in the footwell!). A 'how to' is here http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Replace_the_steering_rack
Alternatively, The South West Lotus Centre (http://www.thelotuscentre.com/) do refurbed racks on exchange.
Don't forget you'll need to have the front toe reset.
Alternatively, The South West Lotus Centre (http://www.thelotuscentre.com/) do refurbed racks on exchange.
Don't forget you'll need to have the front toe reset.
Seems to be Maidstone Sports Cars for the repair. Either replacement cups, or steering rack. Any other specialists in the area that come recommended. As stated, needs to be within 150 miles more or less from Dover. Currently looking at around £350 for the rack (if needed) plus 4 hours labour. Adding a service this takes the bill to £800. For the record I've done 5000 miles and this takes the total spend to £1200 which seems a 'little steep' to me. Thoughts appreciated
Wear and tear to you car will be dependant on type of use. Low road miles and low track miles are very different things.
End of the day, regardless of mileage, its a five year old car and any car these days can throw up £1200 worth of maintenance. All down to luck (to an extent).
Hope you get it all sorted but there's no need for a new rack. A refurb will have your existing rack as good as new and cost a lot less.
End of the day, regardless of mileage, its a five year old car and any car these days can throw up £1200 worth of maintenance. All down to luck (to an extent).
Hope you get it all sorted but there's no need for a new rack. A refurb will have your existing rack as good as new and cost a lot less.
TIPPER said:
Wear and tear to you car will be dependant on type of use. Low road miles and low track miles are very different things.
End of the day, regardless of mileage, its a five year old car and any car these days can throw up £1200 worth of maintenance. All down to luck (to an extent).
Hope you get it all sorted but there's no need for a new rack. A refurb will have your existing rack as good as new and cost a lot less.
While I understand, it still chills me. Its the first car I've ever owned thats gone past £1000 in such a short space of time. Up to now the worst I'd had to stump up was £650 on a 4 yr old 92000KM Megane CC. No laughing and yes the performance is far from being similar. As explained in previous postings, I'm not in the 'money doesn't matter brigade' despite Lotus ownership. Anyway, Ill just have to grin and bear it and pray that this round of spending takes me at least into 2012. Thankfully havent got to change the tyres yetEnd of the day, regardless of mileage, its a five year old car and any car these days can throw up £1200 worth of maintenance. All down to luck (to an extent).
Hope you get it all sorted but there's no need for a new rack. A refurb will have your existing rack as good as new and cost a lot less.
what you have to remember here is the Lotus use the cheapest suppliers they can, and the racks are one of those items that are very cheaply made.
some last OK, some last 10 mins, 99.9% of the time, it's the plasic cups in the rack ends that break/crack, causing slack and then knocking.
some last OK, some last 10 mins, 99.9% of the time, it's the plasic cups in the rack ends that break/crack, causing slack and then knocking.
simpo555 said:
TIPPER said:
Wear and tear to you car will be dependant on type of use. Low road miles and low track miles are very different things.
End of the day, regardless of mileage, its a five year old car and any car these days can throw up £1200 worth of maintenance. All down to luck (to an extent).
Hope you get it all sorted but there's no need for a new rack. A refurb will have your existing rack as good as new and cost a lot less.
While I understand, it still chills me. Its the first car I've ever owned thats gone past £1000 in such a short space of time. Up to now the worst I'd had to stump up was £650 on a 4 yr old 92000KM Megane CC. No laughing and yes the performance is far from being similar. As explained in previous postings, I'm not in the 'money doesn't matter brigade' despite Lotus ownership. Anyway, Ill just have to grin and bear it and pray that this round of spending takes me at least into 2012. Thankfully havent got to change the tyres yetEnd of the day, regardless of mileage, its a five year old car and any car these days can throw up £1200 worth of maintenance. All down to luck (to an extent).
Hope you get it all sorted but there's no need for a new rack. A refurb will have your existing rack as good as new and cost a lot less.
If not already a member, join the AA, and take out the Parts and Labour warranty, wait 14 days, I think it is, then claim on that. It covers £450 for the repair. You need the AA man to attend to the vehicle, when you "break down", tell them you think the sterring racks playing up, and you dont feel confident to drive the car any further, and request they arrange recovery to the nearest VAT garage of your choice. P and L will cost you about £60'ish, but for that, you get covered for a further 5 similar breakdowns within the year.
Edited by icepop on Saturday 2nd July 02:11
Edited by icepop on Saturday 2nd July 02:12
icepop said:
simpo555, have you sorted the repair yet ?
If not already a member, join the AA, and take out the Parts and Labour warranty, wait 14 days, I think it is, then claim on that. It covers £450 for the repair. You need the AA man to attend to the vehicle, when you "break down", tell them you think the sterring racks playing up, and you dont feel confident to drive the car any further, and request they arrange recovery to the nearest VAT garage of your choice. P and L will cost you about £60'ish, but for that, you get covered for a further 5 similar breakdowns within the year.
Sorry but couldnt go down this path. Rather pay up and look big than mess around with somewhat fraudulent procedure.
If not already a member, join the AA, and take out the Parts and Labour warranty, wait 14 days, I think it is, then claim on that. It covers £450 for the repair. You need the AA man to attend to the vehicle, when you "break down", tell them you think the sterring racks playing up, and you dont feel confident to drive the car any further, and request they arrange recovery to the nearest VAT garage of your choice. P and L will cost you about £60'ish, but for that, you get covered for a further 5 similar breakdowns within the year.
Sorry but couldnt go down this path. Rather pay up and look big than mess around with somewhat fraudulent procedure.
Edited by icepop on Saturday 2nd July 02:12[/footnote]
[footnote]Edited by simpo555 on Saturday 2nd July 20:53
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