9 replies to this topic

[BlueVX52]

Hi Guys, Not sure if anyone can answer this but i have a wobble at high speed and a n/s/f knock at low speed only place i can find any play is in the track rod itself but not in the wheel when i move that so i suspect the problem is a worn rack. I have been in touch with titan and they cannot advise which rack i have i.e. the bronze or plastic bush versions - is there an easier way of telling other than stripping off the gaitor and physically checking (which seems a bit of a task) Thanks, Dan

[Duncan VXR]

Could be the rack or one of the bearing in the wishbone etc - jack up 1 side of the front and see if you can find the play Could be track rod ends, bearing, bushes, bearing, rack itself - should not be too hard to confirm if you can jack it up DG

[BlueVX52]

as stated above i have done all that already "only place i can find any play is in the track rod itself but not in the wheel when i move that so i suspect the problem is a worn rack" just want to try and confirm whether i have the brass or plastic bushes in the rack without stripping it down? Dan

[Duncan VXR]

Sorry Dan never read correctly If its not the outer part of rack then its the usual bush wear or breakage - will be plastic if oe Quick rack def worth the slight extra if getting a new one depending on rack type (you really need to remove) some can be refurbed other not iirc I fitted the titan quick rack and was spot on DG

[techieboy]

You'll need a torch and to probably move the gaiter out of the way a little bit. But, you should be able to identify a Titan rack from the later Sona rack. The Titan rack has four cast ribs/ridges along the length of the rack body, whereas the Sona is smooth.

Here's a pic of the two side by side. Titan at the bottom and Sona at the top.

[BlueVX52]

No worries thanks for your responses! My rack is original so your best guess is plastic bushes? Its a 52 plate car. I have been in touch with Titan who sent me all the info they have which states they cannot replace bronze bushes and they will refurb for £60 plus parts, it also has a list of part numbers and an exploded diagram of the rack (only downside is minimum £25 purchase charge). Seems the plastic bushes wear pretty regularly on these does anyone know if its a simple job to replace? Just a case of stripping the rack and replace then rebuild? How easy are they track rods to seperate from the rack? Also titan say they cannot put a quick pinion in a standard rack when refurbing but im sure i have read on here people have had that done? Dan

[techieboy]

My rack is original so your best guess is plastic bushes? Its a 52 plate car.

Near as I could tell when investigating, Lotus switched to using the Sona rack sometime in 2003 but it's not as simple as NA's have Titan and Turbo's have Sona's.

[BlueVX52]

Techie thanks for that that should be very helpful - am i barking up the wrong tree with this different bush thing then? I only ask because the lady i have spoken to at titan has said she would think it has brass bushes not plastic and i have heard that mentioned on here previously also. Sorry if im missing something here. Dan

[techieboy]

As far as I know, all Titan manufactured racks had/have plastic bushes in them. The Sona racks came with brass bushes and aren't refurb'able (at least not by Titan anyway). I think Titan just use the bush type as an "easy" way to identify the two different manufacturers. Just to confuse things further, you can buy brass bushes from Seriously Lotus to retrofit to the Titan racks. I think this is what JJJ fitted to his Titan rack when he needed to refurb it. No idea how easy it is to DIY it but I don't think Jimmy particularly enjoyed it.

[BlueVX52]

I would imagine its a PITA job! Would there be a major longevity advantage to fitting brass bushes? Im assuming there is! Dan