Support Team Shaun_E Posted April 21, 2005 Support Team Share Posted April 21, 2005 During my MOT yesterday, we spotted that there was a small amount of play in the steering - not enought to fail but a noticeable amount. Checking each point along the column, the play turns out to be between the steering wheel itself and the splined column. Is there anything I can do about this other that buy a new one? Should I try just replacing the upper column first? Yellow SL #32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knowley Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 When you say "play turns out to be between the steering wheel itself and the splined column" are you referring to the Quick Release mechanism? I've got a problem with that, am off to the factory on Saturday to pick up some things and they are going to take a look at it, I will let you know the outcome. 7 only day @ Mallory - 06/08/05 R300 Register My R300 Edited by - knowley on 21 Apr 2005 09:00:41 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team Shaun_E Posted April 21, 2005 Author Support Team Share Posted April 21, 2005 It's as if the splines have worn so that the wheel is not a tight fit on the column. I hadn't thought about the actual QR mechanism itself - will look into that. Let me know what the factory say. Yellow SL #32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 I've heard of other people having this problem in the dim & distant past, so I'm pretty sure it's not unusual. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knowley Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 Sorry, yes I mean the splines that are incorporated into the QR mechanism... will post back here on Saturday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knowley Posted April 24, 2005 Share Posted April 24, 2005 My problem is definately worn splines on the QR bit, and the ball bearings inside the stearing wheel are also worn. The factory said there are lots out there like this, and as far as they know nothing serious has happened. Spoke to Lifeline about it a while ago, and they don't do repair kits, or anything... they suggested I removed the wheel too much to cause wear 7 only day @ Mallory - 06/08/05 R300 Register My R300 Edited by - knowley on 24 Apr 2005 23:39:14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Woods Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 As I see it , you have three options do nothing buy a whole new column, bush and QR thingy from caterham buy a new bush and QR from lifeline (or racetech). If you do the latter you may find that the new QR thing is a tighter fit on the column than the current one, because the column is steel and the QR bit is alloy so it wears faster. If the new QR wont fit on the new column you'll need to find a specialist welder who can cut the old bush off your column and weld the new one on - being in Norfolk and not far from Lotus and several race teams we have a few specialists around who can do this. I'd suggest that its not a DIY job with a marchine mart MIG weldger though Nick Red and Black 1.6K supersport visit Carrotland.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberts Wallet Posted April 25, 2005 Share Posted April 25, 2005 When I bought my car second hand from CC the removable steering wheel has some play and I asked them to sort it for when I picked it up. The way they "sorted" it was to pack it with some grease. It worked but it made the wheel as bugger to release. Gareth Blue and Carbon 6 Speed Supersport with new wheels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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