Kitcat Posted August 20, 2013 Posted August 20, 2013 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.
Kitcat Posted August 20, 2013 Author Posted August 20, 2013 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.
jlumba81 Posted August 20, 2013 Posted August 20, 2013 Can you send it out to a driveshaft specialist shop and have them replace the damaged cv joints and boots?
jlumba81 Posted August 20, 2013 Posted August 20, 2013 Driveshaftshop is the only place so far that comes to mind that might be able to help you.
mca Posted August 20, 2013 Posted August 20, 2013 Are these Ford Sierra parts? If so, would Merkur XR4ti shafts work? Just thinking out loud, no real experience.
Paul Hill Posted August 21, 2013 Posted August 21, 2013 You might try "Fleetpride" if there is one in your area. They are driveline specialists, prime business being heavy truck shafts and joints. But their Watertown NY shop has done many driveshafts for area racers. I have personally used them many times, would recommend them to anyone. They are a large chain, I know they have outlets all over the east.
bball7754 Posted August 21, 2013 Posted August 21, 2013 Mike - Maybe try Redline in the UK? http://www.redlinecomponents.co.uk/ I understand the phone is your best option with them. Steve
lancylad Posted August 21, 2013 Posted August 21, 2013 Put a post on the Canada area for Terry, he is a caterham guru.
JohnK Posted August 21, 2013 Posted August 21, 2013 My '03 Superlight had a wheelbearing go bad and damage parts on the rear passenger side of the car... Mike, I had good luck years ago with "Drivetrain Specialists (874-3680), 4845 Provident Drive. Take 747 North off I-275. Between Crescentville and Mulhauser Roads, Provident comes off 747 (go East off 747). Anyway, the driveshaft (actually all three of them!) that came with my Ultralite which went "clunk" when you moved the universal-joint, was patched together with a Honda CV joint at the trans and what the folks at Drivetrain were able to identify as a Datsun universal joint at the differential with some sort of stub tube which accepted a splined shaft ... - I'm getting boring, aren't I? Anyway they not only figured out what the bits were but also sourced the parts and could do the fabrications necessary and finally spin balanced the assembly on top of it all - I think I paid $250 for all the work. Guy I dealt with there was named Curt, but they all seemed pretty competent and knowledgeable. If this doesn't work let me know, I have the name somewhere in my notes of another such shop here in town that sounds like a good resource. Good luck.
Kitcat Posted August 21, 2013 Author Posted August 21, 2013 (edited) 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. Edited August 21, 2013 by Kitcat
Robert O. Urfer Posted August 21, 2013 Posted August 21, 2013 If you take a pic and measure it too I can tell you if it is a merkur part or not. If the diff is a 7" it should have the same hub diameter as merkur CV's its just the shaft legnth you have to worry about. merkur axles are rather inexpensive too. You can email the pic if you want: urfc@hotmail.com
JohnK Posted August 21, 2013 Posted August 21, 2013 Mike, Remember the motto: "When the journey is as important as the destination.". After, what is it now - 8 years, and I'm STILL working to get my "kit" in order. But like that poem I ran across says, the time's been full of adventures and challenges. Buying a properly designed car at the outset may have made more sense (My daily driver is a 19 year-old Civic and the damn thing never misses a beat! ), but I there's no way it could have been more exciting - and the satisfaction of sorting out a collection of challenging problems and having the thing turn out REALLY well ... And Sevens - ALL of them - are unique. There's just nothing else that is as fun to drive. The hassles are just part of the package. It'll get fixed, and you'll be back out on the track.
Kitcat Posted August 22, 2013 Author Posted August 22, 2013 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).
dallasdude Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 It will be interesting to see what you come up with. We have come up with ways to substitute or alternate source a lot of parts, but other than buying Caterham boot kits and rebuilding originals, we have not found an alternative for the axles. The Rover direction makes sense, except I believe de dion cars started delivering in the early 90's and it looks to me like the first generation Freelander was not produced until 96.
Kitcat Posted August 30, 2013 Author Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) 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. Edited August 30, 2013 by Kitcat
blubarisax Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 Did you call Tony in the UK? You might also try MOG in Germany.
Kitcat Posted August 30, 2013 Author Posted August 30, 2013 Karl: "Tony in UK"? Let me know who/where he is and his # and I will call him. And I will ck w/MOG.
yellowss7 Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 Mike, Tony Mills is one of the Parts managers at Caterham in Dartford. You can reach him by dialing the Caterham Uk number. Tom
Robert O. Urfer Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 Craig Chima may even have one or know where to get one. he's outside of Cleveland. His contact info should be on the forum somewhere.
MHKflyer52 Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 Kitcat, Try posting on the California Caterham site as some of the members have spares or know where to get them. Here is the link: http://californiacaterhamclub.com/chat/index.php Hop[e this helps
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