Croc

No I thought that was passe - a bit old generation. So I settled for elegant pirouettes executed with panache. :cooldude:

And courtesy of Simon450 on this forum who checked on this with Caterham UK this morning, they recommend replacing the A frame and radius arms each year if you do a lot of track work. For the record my 420R has 3000 track miles on it since built March 2018.

Breezy - Just for clarity, the articles you link are for the de Dion tube. While this had a bad batch series of failures a little while back, it is not the A frame part that failed for me. The A frame bolts up to the de Dion tube but is not the same part. John - I am still thinking. A stronger part will negatively alter the handling characteristics since the part needs to actively flex (unlike the de Dion) - so I don't want this. A standard part has gone back in for now while I work out the real risk. Just because one group of people have witnessed a relatively common failure does not mean it is representative. I don't know anyone in the US or on this forum that has had this problem (other than very early live axle Cats). While I am still working through the technical forum at Blatchat, it seems it is present but low level. So this gets me to the BaT guys experience being somewhat unrepresentative because they see cars driven very hard all the time on track. So that logically leads to this is more an issue for those with certain driving patterns - track work, slicks/wide wheels, rough roads, spins/off track excursions, etc. If so then making it a more frequent inspection item is a suitable response as a failure takes time for metal fatigue to occur. This only affects my UK 420R as the US CSR is IRS and does not have an A frame (or deDion).

Like his owner, the stuffed shirt? :seeya:

Andy - its a stock 420R SV. Stock bushings from the factory. No modifications from standard that would otherwise stress out the suspension. Standard Avon ZZS 13 inch tires/Caterham wheels. A critical piece of the fact pattern was from discussing with the Bookatrack mechanics what the failure rate is on these A frames. They called it relatively common - they keep spares in the truck for replacement. More common on race cars with slicks. They had a few there waiting for people like me to come along. They were scathing of the A frame part - called it poor quality. I tend to agree having studied it closely for the first time and seen the thickness of the tube and how flimsy the powder coating was. A failure at normal driving speeds, normal conditions would likely not give rise to any issues. You could drive slowly home like I managed to drive back to the pits in my example. But because these are performance cars, it is not always guaranteed the A frame will fail at low speeds in a controllable way. The driveshaft bearing destruction was unusual - the mechanics had not seen that before. I suspect it was because of the way the suspension was loaded when it failed.

The crack definitely started off weld - almost opposite it. At the weld point it was all fresh metal fracture. So I and the professional mechanics present believe the weld was not a contributing factor - tube failed not weld. There was a minute touch of corrosion at the point of fail too. Agree with you on the drivershaft - that would be horrific for damage potential.

Hillman! LMAO!

Nice car Bob! Good luck with the sale!

This is the original part in case you wanted to know what it looks like https://caterhamparts.co.uk/61-a-frames

The cause was likely a rock had impacted the A frame at some point in its past (March 2018 kit build). There was evidence of fresh steel in the fracture except for 5% of the fracture. This would have been evident as a dent or abrasion of the powder coating under close inspection and then over time as the metal flexes it gives rise to fatigue and fracture. Given the pathetic state of our roads and/or frequency of off track excursions (e.g. by spinmeisters Simon and Mike amongst others), it’s not unreasonable to think someone else may experience this. I was surprised to understand how much twisting force is transmitted through to this A frame tubing. It’s a cheaply constructed part with thin wall tubing. Consider inspecting this as part of your winter mechanical inspection/service exercise. Did not stop me from enjoying the day - held me off track for 2 hours then back on. Needed an underwear change though....

This is applicable to S3 and S5 Caterhams’ with de dion suspension. The A frame is a triangular construction of powdered coated tubular steel than anchors the de dion tube and rear axle to prevent lateral movement of rear suspension. I discovered yesterday that these are under more load from torsion forces than I originally appreciated, and that it is not uncommon that they break, when under load. Yesterday at Croft Circuit, 4th gear, 100mph, going through the first left kink on the back straight, mine broke. Freshly repaved circuit, so no bumps and no warning. When it snapped, it strongly stepped out right ending up as a lurid drift. At the same time, the driveshaft hub popped off the driveshaft producing a sound like trying to mistime changing gears without a clutch and which did not go away when you push the clutch in. At this point my steering corrections forced the hub back on the driveshaft thereby shredding the three peg hub and all its springs and bearings within the hub. After stopping to check, I could drive slowly back to the pits with an unusual level of rear steer waywardness.

Oh I feel this car problem - I just went through this with the Fiat ignition locks and am still sorting out the door locks at great frustration. If you know the car it comes from then you can usually save some cash by searching for the model but your photo escapes me. My Caterham ignition lock is from a Rover Metro but yours is something else? It will undoubtedly be some dignified piece of British automotive shit as a well deserved donor. I echo Tom’s comments earlier on this thread. You can usually have your parts from Caterham UK (or Redline) in less than a week to your door. It’s usually the quickest for sourcing parts of any make of my cars.

Good morning from Yorkshire NEW Caterham https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-caterham-7-super-sprint/ Ted Taylor is a forum member in the Philly area who has a website listing British cars for sale. He is currently assisting an active Lotus enthusiast to sell his Lotus 7 S2 plus he is assisting with another car - a Lotus 7 S4 barn find. (Edited to correct for errors) http://www.taylormadeclassiccars.com/vehiclesforsale.html Birkin http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=15432&stc=1 https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/cto/d/petaluma-lotus/6894895589.html Stalker http://www.usa7s.net/vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=15433&stc=1 https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/d/littleton-1959-lotus-super-seven/6895453482.html REPEATS Caterham https://www.ebay.com/itm/1994-Lotus-Super-Seven-Caterham/254230446412?hash=item3b3150c14c:g:lscAAOSwYMlc2aVp&frcectupt=true Caterham https://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/d/annandale-2001-caterham/6888020198.html Replica bike engined https://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Replica-Kit-Makes-Lotus-Seven-Caterham/153490847502?hash=item23bcc4770e:g:0MAAAOSwP4Nc3Iy7&frcectupt=true Lotus 7 S2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Lotus-Super-Seven/264332179227?hash=item3d8b6cf71b:g:jpcAAOSwMoZcmRab&frcectupt=true Stalker https://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-Lotus-Stalker-Super-7/273749962571?hash=item3fbcc4ef4b:g:~XkAAOSwTOZcgZZ8 Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/caterham/super-7/2267958.html Stalker https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7/2167534.html Caterham SV http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/201216-nos-caterham-sv-roadsport/ Caterham http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/2000-caterham/ Super Seven Sportscar http://sodo-moto.com/listings/super-seven-2tg/ Birkin http://sodo-moto.com/listings/1991-birkin-seven/ Birkin http://sodo-moto.com/listings/1990-birkin-seven-so-cal/ and here https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/fullerton-1990-birkin-super-seven-lotus/6891963985.html Caterham SV Hayabusa http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/1458694360/1458694360ss.htm Lotus 7 S4 https://www.wirewheel.com/1974-Lotus-Seven-S4-for-sale.html Rotus 7 https://www.wirewheel.com/1994-Rotus-7-for-sale.html Caterham SCCa https://www.wirewheel.com/2001-Caterham-race-car-for-sale.html Caterham https://www.wirewheel.com/2014-Caterham-Seven-for-sale.html Caterham SV http://vintageracecarsales.com/portfolio-view/2013-caterham-seven-480/ Caterham https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/d/cincinnati-lotus-7-caterham/6879468650.html Birkin https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ctd/d/culver-city-2003-lotus-seven-s3-birkin/6891399227.html Birkin https://www.ebay.com/itm/223523552474 Blakely 7 https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/miami-blakely-lotus-antique/6878706172.html CANADA Caterham https://www.kijiji.ca/v-autos-camions/sherbrooke-qc/caterham-super-7-sylver-jubilee-1982/1410777802?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true MCC 7 Project https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/the-last-mcc-7/1432118799?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Different car to what he has now. The 2007 car was a crossflow Caterham classic - nicknamed the "Blue Enema" because he would be that far up your a** on track. He had a red Birkin for a while that set records for spins in a single day on track (you are a rookie by comparison). Then he bought his current ex-24 hour race car which he managed to break .... Dodge me? The world's slowest spin by me - it was like turning a cargo ship but still Kitcat locked up in a straight line, dinner plate eyes and a prominent ridge in his carbon fiber seat from his butt clench while not even trying to turn the steering wheel! :rofl:

You can never have too many sevens. They are like women.... ....on reflection, scratch that idea.

12 grand buy it now is as good as it gets for a Birkin. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

wow - how could a tuner not heard of Pectel?

The Lotus/Caterham seven has changed dimensions over the years: S1 to S2 S3 to S4 S4 back to the first branded Caterham - S3 sized The Caterham imperial chassis shift The long cockpit S3 The SV The Birkin has two sizes - the original and XS (larger SV equivalent) The original Birkin approximates the current Caterham S3 - the Birkin feels a little roomier in the pedal box area - I find I fit the Birkin better than an S3. The Birkin XS equates approximately to a Caterham S3/CSR - Tom C and I did a side by side comparison once - the post is on the forum somewhere. The current Westfield chassis is roughly mid way between a Caterham S3 and Caterham SV for driver cockpit roominess. The Stalker is just a big sumo wrestler - wedgie and all I think the seller in the referenced ad is probably comparing the Birkin to the Caterham 7 SV.

This weeks offerings found on the internet: NEW Caterham https://www.ebay.com/itm/1994-Lotus-Super-Seven-Caterham/254230446412?hash=item3b3150c14c:g:lscAAOSwYMlc2aVp&frcectupt=true Locost - bike engined https://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Replica-Kit-Makes-Lotus-Seven-Caterham/153490847502?hash=item23bcc4770e:g:0MAAAOSwP4Nc3Iy7&frcectupt=true Birkin - bargain alert https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Lotus-Super-Seven/223515912708?hash=item340a962a04:g:lAsAAOSwWM1c2338&frcectupt=true Birkin https://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-Lotus-Super-Seven/303159535124?hash=item4695b76614:g:5QIAAOSwjx9c4IL7&frcectupt=true and here https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/ctd/d/culver-city-2003-lotus-seven-s3-birkin/6891399227.html Caterham https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/caterham/super-7/2267958.html and here https://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/d/annandale-2001-caterham/6888020198.html REPEATS Stalker https://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-Lotus-Stalker-Super-7/273749962571?hash=item3fbcc4ef4b:g:~XkAAOSwTOZcgZZ8 Lotus 7 S4 https://www.wirewheel.com/1974-Lotus-Seven-S4-for-sale.html Rotus 7 https://www.wirewheel.com/1994-Rotus-7-for-sale.html Caterham SCCA https://www.wirewheel.com/2001-Caterham-race-car-for-sale.html Caterham https://www.wirewheel.com/2014-Caterham-Seven-for-sale.html Caterham SV Hayabusa http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/1458694360/1458694360ss.htm Stalker https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7/2167534.html Caterham SV http://vintageracecarsales.com/portfolio-view/2013-caterham-seven-480/ Super Seven Sportscar (Fejer) http://sodo-moto.com/listings/super-seven-2tg/ Birkin http://sodo-moto.com/listings/1991-birkin-seven/ Birkin http://sodo-moto.com/listings/1990-birkin-seven-so-cal/ and here https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/fullerton-1990-birkin-super-seven-lotus/6891963985.html Caterham SV http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/201216-nos-caterham-sv-roadsport/ Caterham http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/2000-caterham/ Lotus 7 S1 https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1065332/1958-lotus-seven-for-sale-in-stratford-connecticut-06615 Caterham https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/d/cincinnati-lotus-7-caterham/6879468650.html Caterham https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/d/palo-alto-catheram-7-lotus-7-the/6871714877.html Locost project https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/seattle-lotus-super-7-kit/6888320321.html Blakely 7 https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/miami-blakely-lotus-antique/6878706172.html CANADA MCC 7 Project https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/the-last-mcc-7/1432118799?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true Wolf Racing 7 https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/1992-lotus-super-seven/1432146342?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Sorry George - Just tuned in on this post after a week and saw no one answered your question. 1) I dont know any inspection services - always flown in an looked at a car personally where I was serious. However, I suspect you could google something with a bit of time. 2) Maybe see if there is a current owner of a seven local to the car, give them a PM or a post of your own in the general section (where everyone looks) and ask if they are in a position to help out with a physical inspection. I have done that in the past for two forum members where the car in question is close to me. Offer to reimburse travel expense - a lot better than flying to see a car and discover it is a bust. The bonus is you have an experienced eye looking at things.

I adapted long breaker bar with a swivel head mounting a very tall socket and a long handle torque wrench at the other end to extend my arms last time i did it. I left copious amounts of skin and blood under the car - those U shaped seat track rails are quite vicious. I then learned that it was better to pay someone else to do it. Another idea, instead of a screwdriver, could you wedge vice grips and some solid material against the nut and stop the spinning. Or do you have a chat with a nut called Steve?

Caterham standard fitment in the 13s are Avon ZZS - good tires in a performance setting but can handle the rain too. 185/55 and 215/55 options. The 215/55 is too big for your panasport rims. However, the 185/55 probably shrinks your rolling diameter too much? While I have not driven on the tires you suggested, the 205/60 would be my size choice based on performance expectations.

NEW Westfield https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1962-lotus-seven/ Lotus 7 S4 https://www.wirewheel.com/1974-Lotus-Seven-S4-for-sale.html REPEATS Caterham https://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-Lotus-Super-Seven-Super-Sprint/254221691644?hash=item3b30cb2afc:g:rqcAAOSw5eBcz5Cq and here https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/d/cincinnati-lotus-7-caterham/6879468650.html Lotus 7 S2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Lotus-Super-Seven/264317904948?hash=item3d8a932834:g:jpcAAOSwMoZcmRab Stalker https://www.ebay.com/itm/1962-Stalker-Super-7/273749962571?hash=item3fbcc4ef4b:g:~XkAAOSwTOZcgZZ8 Rotus 7 https://www.wirewheel.com/1994-Rotus-7-for-sale.html Caterham SCCA https://www.wirewheel.com/2001-Caterham-race-car-for-sale.html Caterham https://www.wirewheel.com/2014-Caterham-Seven-for-sale.html Caterham SV Hayabusa http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/other/1458694360/1458694360ss.htm Stalker https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7/2167534.html Lotus 7 S1 https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/lotus/7/2099394.html Caterham SV http://vintageracecarsales.com/portfolio-view/2013-caterham-seven-480/ Caterham http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/2000-caterham/ Caterham SV http://britauto.com/portfolio-view/201216-nos-caterham-sv-roadsport/ Super Seven Sportscar (Fejer) http://sodo-moto.com/listings/super-seven-2tg/ Birkin http://sodo-moto.com/listings/1991-birkin-seven/ Birkin http://sodo-moto.com/listings/1990-birkin-seven-so-cal/ and here https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/fullerton-1990-birkin-super-seven-lotus/6883343130.html Lotus 7 S1 https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1065332/1958-lotus-seven-for-sale-in-stratford-connecticut-06615 Replica project https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/d/fayetteville-lotus-super-7-replica/6867582144.html Caterham https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/d/palo-alto-catheram-7-lotus-7-the/6871714877.html Birkin https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/manhattan-beach-2003-lotus-7-birkin/6880102717.html Locost project https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/d/north-attleboro-locost-lotus-7-replica/6886951804.html Blakely https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/miami-blakely-lotus-antique/6878706172.html CANADA Caterham https://www.kijiji.ca/v-autos-camions/sherbrooke-qc/caterham-super-7-sylver-jubilee-1982/1410777802?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true MCC 7 Project https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/the-last-mcc-7/1432118799?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true Locost https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/kitchener-waterloo/1974-locost-7/1429128312?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true Wolf Racing Lotus 7 Replica https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/mississauga-peel-region/1992-lotus-super-seven/1432146342?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Let's face it, I don't need beauty sleep to be as ruggedly handsome as I am. So I have a lot of awake time to do productive thinking. :seeya:

I was thinking overnight (don't look shocked!) - I wonder if that gunk in the threads is coppaslip/copper grease as the prior owner was dealing with a sticky thread? Looks like it was applied at time of inserting the plugs and has a similar consistency after high heat application. I would feel a lot better if thats what it was - since it should not hurt the engine inner in miniscule trace amounts although you probably dropped more than that into the cylinder? If it were mud gunk then it should have dried up by now (and be easy to vacuum out). If it is still wet consistency then that will confirm it is a grease of some type. I think all would agree the street driving mileage is lower than you would reasonably expect. So your question is a very valid one to solve. So it is probably time for a retune on the dyno but before then - thinking my way through the air, fuel, spark equation: I would change those plugs to a heat spec suitable for your engine. Don't assume what spark plugs you have in there are correct - start from scratch and check as you may have the wrong plugs currently and that is part of your problem. Any evidence of piston scorching or carbon build up in each cylinder? Usually the signs of lean or rich running appear visible from a cylinder inspection through the spark plug hole. Does your exhaust tip look black with carbon deposits? If it is clean then did you clean it and was it black before? Any evidence of water or other contamination of the ECU? Edited to add: Still not convinced that crud on the plugs is not dirt/mud. Will be interested to hear if it dried out by now