Steering arms

[Brian c]

Look original
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Lotus-Cortina-Mk1-ball-joint-kit-with-straight-arms-NEW_W0QQitemZ150401676846QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2304a3762e

 

[Mike Dawson]

Happy new year everyone!

Can anyone confirm that these are original? I've seen this seller list many full sets of these steering arms over the last 18 months or so. Can anyone really have so many full sets of genuine Lotus steering arms?

My car has ordinary steering arms fitted so I would like to replace them with the correct Lotus parts. Does anyone have a set for sale?

Many thanks.

 

[Steve 155C]

Hi Mike - I don't beleive these are original , but they unless you can turn up a second hand genuine set then they are your only choice.


That said once on the car you'd never be able to tell.

 

[Peter Meyer]

Its interesting isn't it. Where LC steering arms different GT or even standard Cortina? I don't know the answer but i'll bet they were a different part number! and more expensive than standard. Why wouldn't you sell them as LC parts if they can start them at 100 pounds.....especially if they are believed to be genuine. Of course if they are the same as standard Cortina then they could be considered genuine.............

 

[robertverhey]

As I understand it, straight arms were part of Colin Chapman's preference for straight line stability and high speed cornering ability over ackerman geometry at full lock (hard to explain without a table napkin, which I'll bet ACBC did many times!). This principle was ditched in favour of production line conformity for the Mk 2s, but interestingly Chapman's parallel steering persisted on other models well into the 90s (my '87 Excel scrubs and shudders like crazy on full lock).

Personally I'm not sure that all the fuss is warranted....are Mk 1s better track handling cars than Mk 2s?

 

[Bertil]

Probably it is Quinton Hazel or similar, but most certainly not Lotus genuine parts. For me theese are as good as gen Lotus ones, they have the correct geometry (at least better) than GT and deluxe ones and like Steve say, when fitted ýou can not tell the difference.

 

[Rick]

If you want to know if they are Original or not ask Bob, he is a member of the LCR, can't see QH manufacturing straight steering arms for LCs not enough demand, and if they did they would make them with a sealed cup not a replacement cup and ball.

 

[Brian c]

Thought these may have been original as they look different from the remanufactured one's that have been on ebay, they dont look as square and new, these do look old and more to the original shape.

 

[Mike Dawson]

If you want to know if they are Original or not ask Bob, he is a member of the LCR, can't see QH manufacturing straight steering arms for LCs not enough demand, and if they did they would make them with a sealed cup not a replacement cup and ball.

I took Rick's advice and the reply is 'The arms are made by sidem in the sixties or seventies and were sold in belgium as a replacement, I also have repair kits if required'

Anyone know anything about these?