Kitcat

Caterham is apparently starting a motorcycle division with this new 750 cc (single?)bike. I wil rely on the more technmically competent to provide links. Is Caterham losing its focus, spreading itself too thin? This is a bold move, I truly hope it is successful.

Fastg: Thx. Caterham sez it will have the part 10/21, so I will wait til then and see. If date gets pushed back (as has been happening), I will f/u w/your guy. Plz pm me his # and I will have it if needed.

Got the above-referenced CV joint from AutomotiveUnlimited. Not even close to fitting. On to plan B (or E, maybe F?). I will contact GKN as noted above by Jlumba. They even have a store in Ohio. Then back to Caterham/Redline who each "thought" they mite have the part later this month. Just glad I am not stranded somewhere in the middle of nowhere next to the road.

Yes, my Cat just skitters across the bumps all the way around the track, suspension is waaay too stiff. Since I dont have adjustable shocks, I cant soften it up (wh/is probably why I am so much slower there than you, in spite of having many more ponies:)).

The Caterham's rear 1/2 shaft is a cut down front half shaft from a 4 -wheel drive Sierra, or so I am told.

Thx to additional help from my new BFF, Alpineturbo, I have located a source of CV joints for Caterhams:http://www.automotiveunlimited.co.uk. My outer CV joint has been ordered and is on its way (we shall see). They are a major supplier of parts that Ford no longer makes or cares about for Ford Sierras. Since the rear 1/2 shaft of the S3 is based on the front 1/2 shaft of the Sierra (tho cut down), this CV joint it a direct replacement. I spoke with Duncan there who was easy to deal with and friendly. He was interested in visiting our humble site, also was surprised Caterham and Redline are so unhelpful (business opportunity?). Caterham also now has the 10" vented rear disc in so that has been ordered and is allegedly winging its way here. I might actually get back on the track this year. Final point: for those trying to call UK from US: first dial 011 44 AND then delete the 1st digit of the UK # (usually 0), then dial the rest of UK #. So Automotive Unlimited's # is 011 44 1279 816049, for instance.

Today's update. After some tutoring by Alpineturbo, and a consult with my mechanic, it turns out I dont need a right side 1/2 shaft, I "just" need a complete "outer CV joint." Mick at Redine just advised me: "Those are as scarce as right side driveshafts". I will ask Ford/independent parts stores/GNK if they have this item. BTW my ''reseach" into the driveshaft suggests it is a cut down Ford Sierra part.

I have struck-out in my efforts to have the drive shart rebuilt. And auto parts stores dont know what it is. Not clear when Cat UK/Redline UK will have the part, just that it wont be anytime soon. Unfortunately, extreme disinterest by them.

Speaking of disinterest by mfg. Caterham seems to be out of everything. Ditto their supplier, Redline. So my Cat, wh/has been on jack stands for 2+ months, contines to sit awaiting a rear right 1/2 shaft. Word today is: "Give it another month". Caterham is also out of the disc brake size I need, ditto the 13" front wheel size needed. Complete indifference by everyone involved(:.

Spoke w/Mick @ Redline: no right hand side halfshafts. Maybe in 1-2 weeks (and maybe not). BTW-# above is off a bit-use 011 44 1883 346515 to get thru. Will now take what I have to place JohnK suggested to see if it can be rebuilt.

Thx Martin, off on vacation abt 3 weeks, will do when return.

Karl: "Tony in UK"? Let me know who/where he is and his # and I will call him. And I will ck w/MOG.

It's not a Rover part as far as the local Rover dealer can tell, I showed it to their parts department. The CA place noted above was not able to help either. Caterham UK's website continues to say it is "unavailable", ditto Chris T at Sevens and Elans and US Caterham. Chris T seems to think it will be purchasable soon tho. At this point, tho, the only option is to buy a spare Caterham, for parts(:. They seem to have plenty for new cars.... My mechanic says mine is too far gone to be rebuit. I will f/u on JohnK's suggestion in a few weeks, tho, if still nowhere. In the meantime, car sits on blocks.

Interesting. I look forward to finding out if you notice any meaningful differences on the track. Many of us have comented that our cars seem more balanced with a passenger-looks like it's true. Your car's weight at 1247lbs seems spot on, or even a bit light. My X-flow was abt 1225 w/o gas. Since the Brits put the driver on the opposite side, and since clockwise tracks have a preponderance of right hand turns, maybe this "imbalance" to the driver's side is a competitive advantage there?

My X-Flow wld respond to a similar hot start problem (not the stall part, tho) if I unscrewed the gas cap, let it breath a few seconds, screwed it back in.

I will strive for your optimistic view John. I took the part to the local Rover place, They dont stock 1/2 shafts but gave the name of a place in California that does, named EMPI so I will give then a call. Robt: the shaft is 29 1/4" long, uncompressed. GDL #UL1F002 (I think, it's faded) W/O # W005486 (again hazy/hard to read, the "4" mite be something else).

"Hit a bear"? 'Bent the frame"? What is the rest of that story:)?

Thx for the feedback guys. I will take JohnK's advice and pay a friendly visit (1/2 shaft in hand) to the local place he's ID'd in Cincy. Can't hurt to try. My impression from afar is that the new Caterham ownership/management team have a half-hearted interest, at best, in their core business and are letting things slide. Especially for those of us in the ''colonies". First I was unable to buy a 13" Caterham wheel from Caterham UK (hardly a unique/unusual product), and now this.

Caterham USA doesnt have these either. Kinda makes a guy wonder. I will leave my undriveable Cat parked and hope some day the Caterham gurus can cough up a 1/2 shaft (drive shaft). No one has said anything to suggest it will be anytime soon, been 3+ weeks so far.

My '03 Superlight had a wheelbearing go bad and damage parts on the rear passenger side of the car. I need a complete "drive shaft" (from the diff to the wheel/incl CV joint). Sevens and Elans doesnt have, nor does Caterham UK(!). Anyone here have a spare? I have found replacements for the hub and bolts and stub axle. Anyone know what the donor car was for this part? I heard it might be from a Rover Freelander? I just sent an e-mail to Cat, USA and will see.

Sounds memorable! How many se7ens, counting all that particiated at one time or another?

I have done the following at the track: driven, been unhappy w/dartyness, pulled in, loosened retainer nut, dialed in one rotatation of front toe in on both sides (remember to rotate in opposite diretctions), retighten, drive, adjust til it "feels" right (less darty). No strings, blocks, etc., just pure driving "feel". It is only useful on toe in, not the other multiple alignment variables, but I think this thread is toe-in only?

Work/family is a delicate, ongoing, balancing act. I never felt I had it just right. My "kids" are 36,28,24. Every minute with them was special, tho I leaned on my wife a lot. There are no do-overs once kids are grown/gone. What do you want your memories at that point to be?

And be in the car when all this happens, or have your shop add equivilent weight to the driver's side. Also have the seat where you typically sit, if it is adjustable.

Moorea-just a stone's throw from Bora Bora, so also a million miles from nowhere. Really catching up on my geography here. Hopefully, they also have old Vespas for rent there and you guys can finally settle who's fastest! I can get drunk here without traveling the 30 hours it wld take to get there from Cincy (I checked w/Delta's website). But I am likely missing the point:).