Ford Sierra Rear Halfshaft

[CarMan]

I am in need of a Right Rear Drive shaft Tripod. The outer CV joint is comprised of a Female "tulip" and a tripod with 3 rollers on needle bearings.

The needle bearings are coming out and I need the tripod

 

The driveshaft is out of a Ford Sierra (known in the US as a Merkur XR4Ti

 

Could use some help with this

 

George Kline

[dallasdude]

The two companies I know that specialize in XR4TI parts are BAT in Sarasota, FL and a company just outside Chicago......can't remember their name. I do not believe any of the XR4TI axle parts will interchange. There was a discussion on this board a few months ago when left side axles were on backorder from Caterham, and I believe the final resolution was there was not an independent source for the CV joints themselves. Caterham sells the replacement boots, but not the joints.

[rx7locost]

~45 bucks for the whole halfshaft at RockAuto.com. (87 Merkur XR4Ti)

[CarMan]

Well

After an Exhaustive search we found the correct shaft at Redline in the UK.

The other shafts for the Merkur all had a different type of outer joint.

We sent photos of the shaft and joint to a number of sources in the US and came up dry.

Sent the photo to redline and they sent back the choice phrase

"No big deal here. We have it" $400!

 

Thanks for your help everyone

[Kitcat]

I am sure it is right/correct. A number of us waited 8 months for Redline UK to get that part, so the "no big deal" is true (now:)). I think the Caterham's rear 1/2 shaft is a modified (cut down) Merkur/Sierra front 1/2 shaft. Anyhow, I now keep an extra (and wld have offered to you if I had relaized you had Caterham-I thot yr se7en was a Lowcost).

[Fimi 7]

Just as an FYI - The UK Ford Sierra and Merkur Differential have small differences. I think the splines are different or the push in distance differs. The casing is about the same for the 7.5, if you have the 7" Sierra, double check.

 

I used the Sierra 7" with Miata Hubs. I had custom shafts made by the Drive Shaft Shop. Its perfect.

[CarMan]

Thanks for all your advice and help. This is a group of very good car guys and girls.

 

Just got the shaft from Redline. Installed and ready to go racing..

 

Will keep you posted as to how well we are doing.

 

Last 2 years this car was the NY State E production Champ.. Lets make it 3

 

George Kline

[Kitcat]

First race is?

[CarMan]

This Year is going to be a mismash of racing venues and competition.

May 24 and 25 at NH Motorsports park

June 20 And 21 at Lime Rock

July 4th 5th and 6th Majors at Watkins Glen

July 19th and 20th Club event at Watkins Glen

 

And then we will take it from there.

 

Boys Just wanna have fun.

 

We'll keep you posted

 

George Kline

[CarMan]

So

here is the report from New Hampshire Speedway.

RAIN RAIN RAIN

 

So I bolted on the Rain Tires. Put on my old driving suit and stayed in the garage until the group went out on track each session.

Having never been to this track, ever. My learning curve was doubly steep.

But, by the third session in the rain, I learned where there was grip..... And where there was NOOOOOO grip. But the last few laps of the final session was the Monsoon deluge! The Caterham was the fastest closed wheel car on the track! I think I like rain racing.

But the last race on Saturday was the first sign of a problem after a big winter rebuild. And the only issue was the proverbial $4 part.

The clutch started to slip on the 3rd to last lap. I knew it was oil. Weekend done.

 

And here is the only bitch I have about servicing the Caterham. You can't just pull the transmission out without pulling out the engine.

After that process, we discovered the snap ring on the input bearing was covering the return hole for the oil. Lotta Work and a stupid mistake on our part.

 

So we did win our class a NH. Because we were sooooooo far ahead by the time the clutch started to slip....... We crossed the Finish line at about 40mph and won by some strange reason.

But.... a win is a win and the check of the time sheet shows us first. And years from now..... I will have forgotten the circumstances anyway.

 

Now it's on to Lime Rock and Then to a full on National SCCA race at Watkins Glen on July 4th.

 

We'll keep you posted

[xcarguy]

George,

 

Sounds like you had a blast; rain and all. Stalkers are also pull-the-whole-drivetrain-to-fix-it type cars. I installed a new tranny in my car at the beginning of last year only to turn around and pull it back out because of a small leak. Turns out the bearing retainer was not properly sealed (my bad for not checking it before the install). Oh well, I was a bit rusty in the two-engine-pulls-per-year category.

[CarMan]

Well

We have the car together AGAIN and have given it a late nite shakedown in the abandoned Wal-Mark parking lot.

 

It's in the trailer ready for the SCCA weekend (June 20&21) and I hope everything is ready.

The next real test is the SCCA Majors weekend at Watkins Glen. I've raced in some National races before but this is the new Majors group. So I hope I can cut it with them.

 

I'l keep you posted

 

George

[dallasdude]

Well

We have the car together AGAIN and have given it a late nite shakedown in the abandoned Wal-Mark parking lot.

 

It's in the trailer ready for the SCCA weekend (June 20&21) and I hope everything is ready.

The next real test is the SCCA Majors weekend at Watkins Glen. I've raced in some National races before but this is the new Majors group. So I hope I can cut it with them.

 

I'l keep you posted

 

George

 

We're pulling for you George. In fact there should be a live audio and Race Monitor feed from the Majors event.

http://www.scca.com/events/index.cfm?eid=6892

 

My impression of the Majors series overall has been good. They provide a level of standardization across the county, but local regions still have a lot of discretion as far as putting on the non Majors events.

[CarMan]

It seems this word has gotten so much use these days...... Epic!

 

Went to Lime Rock Park for the SCCA double header on June 19 and 20th.

Rolled off the trailer and gingerly qualified the car in 2nd place for our group.

And then things went from there. The first 2 races were Caterham dominence !

Weather was sunny and mild (75 degrees) and the 7 was just hummin along.

 

But Saturday afternoon brought a new twist. GTL cars were added to our group and "the race was on" The Caterham is a fast dude in the turns and has a spurt of acceleration on the straights..... But the GTL cars are quick on the long flat out sections. It was a great battle for the entire race... swapping the lead as we used lapped traffic to our advantage. But the Nissan broke a valve spring with one lap remaining and I started to back off and coast to the finish.

 

Big Mistake!

 

As I took the white flag, I saw a gaggle of cars having a good old battle amongst themselves. I didn't want to get in trouble with that group and I thought They could use another lap to settle things. So I decided to follow them to the finish......... That was the mistake.

 

While we were battling with the Nissan, I lost track of who was in second place. I thought is was a Mazda with a distinctive orange chin spoiler...... but he was passed by a fast Honda Civic with a very good driver behind the wheel. And suddenly, he was right on my tail, filling my mirrors with his grille.

Time to Move!

The cars we passed were very cooperative in holding line as we swept by. But, coming into the next to last turn there were 3 cars in line. They held station on the outside of the turn, and gave us room. But the Honda had a good run coming into the turn and I had a slow entry because of the traffic. I knew the Honda would slip by if I just maintained speed.

So I slowed as I entered the corner and downshifted to 3rd and took off to the finish line. Winner Winner chicken dinner!

 

The Honda driver was a man named Ian Prout. He is a driving instructor at Lime Rock park and he can wheel around that place! So I feel good about having a good go with him.

 

Next Up.... Watkins Glen and the Majors tour. I am about to get my comuppance there as the first 5 place cars and drivers in E Production are signed up to be there. I'm gunning for a podium, but I won't be brokenhearted with a 4th.

 

See you then.

 

George

[Kitcat]

Thx for the update George! Very impressive to beat Ian Prout, he is an experienced and accomplished racer.

 

Maybe time to start a new thread? This racing themed narrative doesn't really fit under parts for sale/half-shaft.

 

Mike M.

[dallasdude]

Yes should be a new thread...but let me update the post I did. This is the link to live timing with hopefully camera feeds or Saturday and Sunday.

Group 2 race is 10:30 AM Saturday and 8:55 AM Sunday.

 

http://www.sccahost.com/live/