Sevins7

Yes I think one issue is the bad tune it's in. I'm going to buy a timing light and check that out today. Also might need one carb rebuilding. For some reason the seller only had one rebuilt when he was restoring it. Kind of silly! @coffee breakI will look into a switch too. Although my first Caterham never had these issues. Yes I read that and i think that is the issue with this battery. It arrived at the dock drained and I think it is an older one. It is marked 2019. The seller insists it was new. Whatever. New one here tomorrow. I will look into installing a kill switch. Anyone got ideas or a circuit diagram, switch type?

The dent is on the back side, like it was towed. It would have been more on the bottom or front if it hit a bump or rock I think (assuming it was going forward). Not sure about the motor hitting it. This car has done less than 1000 miles and I just don't see it breaking an engine mount in that short time. What's puzzling is that there is a tow eye right there so why not use it? Unless it was a chain maybe. All speculation. I will do a drop test.

Yes I think I will do a drop test on it just for giggles.

Many thanks guys. I just ordered up a regular PC680. Didn't think I needed the MJ.

My recently arrived Caterham is very hard to start. I believe I am having carb and timing issues but that is for another discussion. It does run OK'ish and will start with a jump. But I can't get it to start it from cold on the battery. I have had it on charge all day (100% and 14 Volts) but as soon as I go to start the car the battery drains super fast. And just does not seem to have the cranking power to get it going. Jump it and it starts in 3 or 4 tries. The battery is a new Odyssey Extreme PC545 (supposedly). Looks like a jet ski battery to me and not anything fit to be in a car. The seller was supposed to have installed a PC680 according to his work sheets. I think this battery is shot or not fit for this car as it will not turn the motor over nearly as fast as a jump does. I also read somewhere that if this kind of battery is drained to empty they are done. The car arrived at the port with the battery pretty much drained. Is this battery fit for purpose? If so I will contact Odyssey and see if they can help me. If not I need to buy a different kind. Thanks guys!

I am wondering why I cannot turn the set screw on the rack. I have removed the big nut but the allen screw will not budge in either direction. I had read somewhere that this is a good place to add some oil/grease. Or can I add some by removing the gaiter zip ties? Meanwhile after I disconnected and reconnected the steering column the horn comes on when i push on the steering wheel

That’s an interesting thought and one that I will try. Especially as there may be some chassis issues and it’s easy to do. mahalo! I think I might try pumping some 140EP into the rack too. Why not eh?

That's interesting as I can see a bend in the front cross member where the horns are. The seller said it probably happened when it was towed out of wherever it sat for years! The rack looks OK from the outside. Many thanks.

With the rod ends disconnected it seems to stick in 4 or 5 places from lock to lock. The worst place is in the center.

I took the lock nut off but the big set screw would not turn either way.

Update: I disconnected the rod ends. The hubs rotate freely. No binding at all. The steering still feels heavy and notchy. Virtually no difference from when the rods were connected. Removed the steering UJ at the rack and the column is free with no binding or rubbing. Ergo....steering box or alignment. I think kit must be the rack. When it is attached to the steering column there is some serious binding and rubbing going on even with the rods ends disconnected. So what next? As mentioned above, this is supposedly a 950 mile car and it has obviously been sitting for years. Could the grease have been lost or hardened? Is it time for a new rack? Would the adjusting nut make any difference?

I jacked the car up and there is some binding going on especially in the center where it sticks quite hard and requires more effort to get it past that point The car is a 1995 with just 950 miles on the clock and I’m wondering if the rack has dried out as you are suggesting, if so how can I deal with this? I have bought some 140 EP gear oil which I believe is appropriate for this application. mahalo

@Vovchandrit goes wherever I set the wheel. Small turn or large it just locks in place. There is zero self centering or any feel of where center is. staying straight on a highway is a test of skill and strength as it always wants to stray with the wind, road camber, whatever. Just making small changes is so hard as I over correct due to the stiffness so always need to then correct the other way. It’s a constant clicking at the wheel to attempt getting it to track along a road. Anyway…….Big mahalo to you all. Some great advise and suggestions. I will go through all of them and see what it reveals. aloha !

I have just received my newly purchased 1995 Caterham (1600 X-Flow, solid axle) and the steering is super heavy with zero centering. I have owned a Caterham BV Twin Cam before and the steering on that one was normal. This one has an 8% rack I believe. While it's quite heavy driving the country roads around here the main problem is keeping it straight on the highway. The car just wants to hold whatever line i set and getting it straight requires a huge effort and constant nudging of the wheel. It is really unpleasant and feels a bit dangerous. I cannot relax for one second. And after a short 40 mile drive into town and back my arms and hands are toast. The seller insists the wheels were correctly aligned. Its running 13x5 rims and 185 tires so not much issue there. I jacked it up and there is a bit of friction. It also feels a tiny bit heavy when standing still but this is down to the small steering wheel i think. It all goes wrong as soon as it's moving. Any help would be gratefully received. The seller thinks it is just down to the 8% rack and wants me to buy a new standard version from Caterham. I am not sure i agree with this at all. I need to get it registered in the next 10 days so any help will be gratefully received. Many thanks. Aloha!

Many thanks guys!

I need to change the HT plug leads on my 1600 Crossflow (mild tune). What are your favorite wires for this application? Mahalo and aloha!

I'm looking for a complete S3 Brooklands Aero Screen assembly for my '95 Caterham (2 screens and band) With or without mirror(s). Mahalo!