12 replies to this topic

[Nev]

I had a look the other day and there is loads of play in the joint itself. The locking nuts were both done up but it has several degrees of play so it needs replacing. How exactly do you take it off, is it just a case of undoing the top lock nut on the steering column and the bottom nut on the shaft that goes though the bulkhead and it just 'comes off easily' or will I need to do something more complex? Thanks in advance. Nev.

[Wreelybro]

Undo top bottom UJ bolts and the bar in the middle sildes and it should just fall out then you can remove the UJ's. Where are you getting replacement UJ from btw as I think I need them on mine as have a little play and I know it's not the rack as it's a brand new quick rack?

[MrSimba]

good luck with that Nev! Just lying upside down there changing pedals is a mission... not sure I'd fancy that job!!!

[Nev]

Thanks WreelyBro, I haven't looked into where to get the UJ from yet... Will get some prices from Vaux and Lotus places and see how ridiculous they are... It looked to me as if the UJ has pressed metal U shaped halves that maybe I could put in a press and clamp more strongly to get rid of the play... or possibly just insert a washer of the right width to get rid of the play. Impossible to tell until I get the thing out. Will keep you posted on this thread if I get off my arse and do it

[Wreelybro]

I would have thought the play will be in the uj itself rather than the clamping down.

[techieboy]

I got the two universal joints and a new intermediate shaft from Elise Parts and replaced them at the same time as I changed the steering rack. Removal was very easy (probably due to the rack coming out at the same time). Replacement was a total pain in the proverbial and I ended up needing to loosen off the entire upper steering column to get the new upper joint back on. Oh and it didn't 100% remove all play in the steering. Even with the two new UJ's and the brand new quick rack, there was still more "give" than expected.

[Pidgeon]

Ha ha. Titan had to rebuild my new rack to leave it free of play. I bought a new steering UJs but just couldn't figure out how to get the top one off. The bottom one is easy, slacken off the rack bolts 3 or 4 turns and pushing the rack forward gives enough play to slide the joint out.

[haggi961]

Just want to say this is the worse job I've come across on the vx and is not a job I would ever do again.

[leevx2.2]

I have done these the easiest way by any means is so you don't spend to much time upside down In the foot well. Remove steering shroud ,remove stack dash ,you will see 3 bolts that hold the complete steering column in place ,undo the bottom uj bolt and remove and then undo all 3 bolts holding steering column in place and pul upwards this will release the bottom uj .then you can get to top uj undo this then refit new uj to top section first then lower in place and slip it over rack shaft adjust so wheel straight and bolt things back up , It's a pain in the arse job but do it this way and it's more bearable just good luck

[haggi961]

The way I did it was remove the dash top and get a magnet pen to hold the bolt as there's enough room to fit it down the hole at the dash side. Then while your underneath directing it in the uj hole from the top I then used a pair of long nose pilers to pull the bolt through the hole of the uj until it come off the magnet. Then there's enough room to just get the nut on and tightening is easy as the new ujs are Allen key bolts. Still a pain but meant I didn't have to take anything else off other then the dash top.

[Rally]

I bought a new steering UJs but just couldn't figure out how to get the top one off. 

 

Just a note to say that the shaft that the top UJ attaches to has a slot in it, not a groove, so not only do you have to remove the bolt entirely to get the UJ off but you also have to align the UJ to the slot to get it back on.

 

I would also recommend slackening off the rack mounting bolts to give enough play to get the rod on when refitting: Put the top joint on and insert the bolt to stop the UJ falling off but don't tighten the nut so the joint can slide along the slot which is quite long so allows a reasonable amount of movement. Slacken the rack mounting bolts so that you can slide the top UJ up and there is enough movement to fit the bottom joint. Check the rack is centred to the steering wheel. Tighten the rack bolts. Fit the bottom UJ clamp bolt and nut and tighten. Tighten the upper UJ clamp nut. Extract yourself from the foot well!

 

Whilst not exactly fun, it's not the worst job I've done on the car.

[JohnTurbo]

Does anyone else get close to panic when wedged down there?

[Rally]

LOL. Having a harness bar there to grab hold of certainly helps to heave yourself out!