skydragon Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 I've just fitted a CC front big brake upgrade kit (AP racing calipers) and AP race master cylinder and noticed that although the right hand side front caliper went on a treat, nice and straight with reference to the disc. When I fitted the left hand side front AP caliper I noticed two things... a) The AP caliper was not straight/parallel with regards to the brake disk, unless I omitted one of the 'penny' washers that go between the caliper and upright bolt point ( with one washer omitted and the caliper bolted on, it was then straight with respect to the brake disk, or as straight as I can tell) b) The steering track rod end is only a few mm away from the brake disk surface. Not a problem as such, but I notice that the right hand side has about double this gap between the track rod end and the brake disk. I've done a few hundred miles of hard driving with this new setup and everything works just fine, but I'd like to ensure any 'misalignments' are rectified over the winter. My car is a late 2003 ex-academy/Supergrad car, now modified a bit and I know with previous owners it's been pranged/rolled/T-boned and tyre walled.... and then straightened a few times (I view it as being the opposite of a 'polishers' car 😬 )I'm guessing that the left hand side front upright and possibly the left hand steering arm is bent slightly (past crash damage?) and ideally needs replacing?? Any views/comments? 1.6 K Series EU3, 2003, with DVA K05 and a few other goodies... website here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pikey Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 I wouldn't take any chances in that area so I would be replacing it asap. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skydragon Posted September 6, 2010 Author Share Posted September 6, 2010 It's held up for at least 2 years of hard use, so I've little/no fear of a failure. The question is - Before I start ordering parts and rebuilding, is this a sign of the front upright or the steering arm, or both, being slightly bent? Or something else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6speedmanual Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 Could be a bent stub axle. Take it out and try rolling it along a table. Peter BRAWNGP green SUPERLIGHT FCITW 2009 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted September 6, 2010 Share Posted September 6, 2010 I would recommend replacing both stub axle and upright if either of them is bent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skydragon Posted September 7, 2010 Author Share Posted September 7, 2010 Thanks chaps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 The steering arms are "designed to bend" as a sacrificial component to save the upright. This doesn't explain the caliper positioning, but may be contributory to the gap between the steering arm and the disc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboylaw Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 Canley Classics are a great source for these items... Caterham Catalogue Jonathan ========================= My Flickr Gallery 92 Supersprint, Ford LSD LA, RK AX Crossflow. Stealth model (Matt Black and Ali), rebuild completed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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