By: Jon Pippard jpippard@clara.net
From Lotus Internet List - 2 Jul 1998

This is the non- techno freak/petrol head version of what to look for.

Lie down under the rear of the car, looking forward. Now check out the rear suspension on one side. Nearest the road surface you will find two links which go from the wheel to the chassis. Both are plated a shiney yellow/gold colour.

The one nearest you (closest to the rear of the car) is the toe control link, it's about 15inches long and has a little ball joint at each end. If you get hold of it and try to twist it will move through a few degrees as it swivels on the ball joints. The other (forward) link like a big letter A, is the bottom wishbone...don't worry about this bit!

Back to the first link. Look where it joins to the back of the wheel. You may need to wipe any dirt off to see this but you should be able to see the ball joint is attached to the wheel upright (the bit which has the wheel bearings in it) by a bolt which passes down from the top, through a sticky out bit of the upright, through a little conical spacer, and about 4 washers. It is this bolt which comes loose.

As a quick check try and move the toe control arm by hand. It should be able to twist on the ball joints as above but that is all. Get someone else to hold the rear wheel with their hands at the quarter to three position and try and 'steer' the rear wheel left and right. Look carefully where the ball joint is bolted to the upright...you should not be able to see any movement, nor should your assistant be able to feel any.

Repeat for the other rear wheel.

If you find movement and you are not into DIY mechanics, then you MUST contact your dealer or (better still) an experienced mechanic (sorry couldn't help it) before driving the car any further.