steering column knocking

phraze · Post by **phraze** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:28 pm

Hi there,
We have a S2 111r with about 3 and half thousand miles on the clock.
Just have a few questions to help me determine whether they are faults or quirks of the car. The car is under warranty so happy to take it to MMC.

1. Gearbox - Shifting into 3rd from second or 4th from 5th can be pretty awkward. Feels like the gear stick doesn't spring back to centre very well so you have to actively move it across. Getting into first is occasionally pretty stiff and find that it is best to disengage then reengage clutch before trying again. It always gets there, just not as smoothly as in our other car (Saab 9-3) - expecting that this is just the way it is supposed to be but thought I'd check.

2. Steering Column - this is slightly more concerning. There is a knock that you can hear and feel through the steering wheel. It seems to happen when going near full lock and back the other way, eg. turning into a driveway or going round a sharp corner in town. I have never heard or felt it when on the open road...should I take this to MMC for investigation?

One last thing - what type of engine coolant do people on here use? Does anyone know what is put in it at the factory?

Cheers for any help and advice,
Fraser.

jj · Post by jj » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:35 pm

I know the joints on the steering column can work loose (mine did on the blue car I had) and can need tightening - definately get it looked at soonish though.

woody · Post by **woody** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:43 pm

IIRC Toyota use a special coolant for their own engines, so that may be waht is specced for the Lotus?

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:21 pm

Gearbox culd be anything, sounds like you need a trip to MMC!

steve_weegie · Post by **steve_weegie** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:32 pm

Use the warranty while you've got it

phraze · Post by **phraze** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:49 pm

ok off to mmc we go...
it's funny though 'cos sometimes you just don't know, unless you have someone else's car to compare with it's tough to tell (well at least for me!)
i used to have a 1973 beetle and i drove it for about 3 months with barely working brakes and a loose clutch cable just thinking that's how those old cars were!!!

ooops

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:26 pm

phraze wrote:ok off to mmc we go...
it's funny though 'cos sometimes you just don't know, unless you have someone else's car to compare with it's tough to tell (well at least for me!)
i used to have a 1973 beetle and i drove it for about 3 months with barely working brakes and a loose clutch cable just thinking that's how those old cars were!!!
ooops

Sounds like an S1

Edin430 · Post by **Edin430** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:10 pm

Phraze need another S2 to compare give me a shout I'm up your way anyway most nights......

Gearbox on mine is stiff as hell as well and takes a bit of shove sometimes to get into first... (Done it on all 3 S2s I've had)....

Make sure its covered under warranty before MMC do the work!!! Stung a few times that way even though mine is covered undered warranty..

phraze · Post by **phraze** » Wed Dec 05, 2007 11:23 am

Cheers! X7LDA might well take you up on that!

Hopefully there won't be a problem with things under warranty - but I guess we'll wait and see.

F.

phraze · Post by **phraze** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:52 am

update -
car in at MMC today - they cannae find anything wrong with the steering but it needs replacement gear cables apparently...so waiting on them being ordered and fitted sometime after christmas. car is fine to drive as is.