what is the weak point in a caterham drivetrain?

[twobone]

I'm just curious. On a post 80s caterham solid axle car, are their any weak points in the drivetrain?

 

Are the cortina box, open diff and rear joints sturdy items?

[TheDingo8MyBaby]

This all depends...

 

Couple weak points off the top of my dead: cast front pulley, cast piston ring lands, valve seats (if they haven't been converted to unleaded). A whole lot of other things come into play when you start increasing compression and spinning the thing higher - especially the crank.

 

With stock 1700 super sprint power, the cortina box should be fine as long as you keep up with the oil level. The release bearing does tend to go bad quickly if the left leg rests on the clutch constantly.

 

The diff is also strong enough for stock 1700 SS power. It does tend to leak - so watch out for the A frame bushings as they go bad after being soaked in oil. Although they're not a weak link, for piece of mind it makes sense to watch your U joints as the driveshaft is spinning right next to you.

[twobone]

thanks!