Lotus Service Notes Section HG
Page 4
To Remove Steering Wheel (airbag type)
WARNING: The driver's airbag is housed in the hub of the steering wheel. Precautions need to be
taken for personal safety when working with airbags and associated componentry. Do not attempt
to remove the airbag or steering wheel without first referring to section WD.
On the back of the airbag type steering wheel hub, is mounted a 'rotary connector', being a device which
allows the steering wheel to turn whilst maintaining electrical continuity to the airbag module and horn buttons.
This device needs to be centralised before fitting, or breakage will result. Follow instructions below carefully.
1.
Column shrouds: Remove the two screws retaining the top part of the shroud, and the four screws
retaining the lower part, and withdraw both parts from the column, if necessary disconnecting the trip/
panel lights control button from the lower shroud.
2.
Refer to section WD to remove the airbag module from the wheel.
3.
Disconnect the horn harness plug.
4.
The steering wheel may be released from the hub by removing the four attaching screws.
5.
To remove the hub, or wheel and hub assembly from the column, first ensure the front wheels are pointing
straight ahead. Bend back the locking tabs and release the nut securing the hub to the column. Before
attempting to remove the hub, match mark the position of the hub against the column to aid re-assembly.
6.
Using a suitable steering wheel puller tool, position the legs to reach through the holes in the wheel hub
and bear directly against the hub, without intefering with the rotary connector on the back of the hub. The
centre screw should bear against the end of the column. Withdraw the wheel/hub/rotary connector as-
sembly from the column splines.
Alternatively, for better puller access, the steering wheel can first be removed from the hub by releasing
the four retaining screws.
CAUTION: If excessive force is applied to either the wheel/hub or column without an appropriate
puller, the telescoping mechanism of the outer column may be overridden, necessitating column
replacement.
Refitment
7.
If the hub is already fitted to the column, refit the steering wheel to the hub and tighten the four fixing
screws. Mate the horn buttons harness connector plug.
8.
If fitting the wheel/hub/rotary connector assembly to the column, the rotary connector must first be cen-
tralised: Turn the connector centre element fully counterclockwise until tight, then turn clockwise ap-
proximately 2.5 turns until the arrow marks on the two parts of the rotary connector are aligned. Make
sure the front wheels are pointing straight ahead, and fit the assembly onto the column with the hub to
column match marks (made on disassembly) aligned, and engage the spring loaded pin on the column
switch housing with the slot in the rotary connector.
9.
Fit a new locking tab washer, followed by the steering wheel nut, and torque tighten to 25 Nm (18.5 lbf.ft).
Bend up the locking tabs to secure.
10.
Refer to section WD to refit the airbag module, and verify the system.
Steering Wheel Alignment
Ideally, the steering wheel should align in the straight running position, with the steering rack centralised
and with equal track rod lengths. In practice, a minor compromise to track rod lengths may have to be made.
To arrive at the optimum setting, proceed as follows:
Note that only one splined joint in the steering system allows a choice of position, this being the lower joint
to rack pinion shaft.
1.
Set the front wheel alignment to specification with equal track rod lengths (see sub-section CI.2).