johnnyseven Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 Went to do a bit of work on my vx and found the rear arb end bracket where it attaches to the bar snapped off- well it's completely gone- the ball jointed bit that is bolted to the rear was just hanging. Is this a comon problem?-- caterham are out of stock-- anyone got one for a vx (9/16th) that needs a new home? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 Try Redline Components ..... good for older stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyseven Posted January 8, 2015 Author Share Posted January 8, 2015 Thanks forgot about redline- would still like to know if it's a common fault Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k.russell Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 Have broken a few in my 23 years ownership of my vx, there isn't a lot of metal to weld to the bar so it does make it a weak spot, check that the drop link are as short as possible as I found that the bar did touch the chassis on upward movement, on the sus turret, this was causing premature breakage, have some pics somewhere, will have a look see if I can find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k.russell Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k.russell Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 The roll bar was touching just where you can see the red bush, on the lower part of the 45 degree angled cover plate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k.russell Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 Last time it broke I added metal to strengthen the area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyseven Posted January 8, 2015 Author Share Posted January 8, 2015 Yep- that's where mine has broken-- except the whole length that's got the wholes in has disappeared leaving a broken ball joint tangling from the bottom mounting-- good to know its a normal/ known fault in a sort of weird way lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob L Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 Had the same snap myself but it was within 6 weeks of ownership (new build). Luckily no damage. Replaced by CC and this one still appears good after some 14 years of use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 Johnmine broke in the same fashion when the car was still under warranty but the replacement has been fine since (~18 years)if you took the remains of the bar to a local engineering firm they'd probably make and weld on a new end bar for less than the cost of a new one. Easy to do as they have the other end to use as a pattern.The drop links need to be set so that there's no torsional load on the bar when normally loaded, i.e. when you're in the car. I found that 42 house bricks in the driving seat simulates my weight for suspension adjustments.Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterSPY Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 A quick wash under the arches every so often will make it easier to spot the problems before it is a major issue.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyseven Posted January 9, 2015 Author Share Posted January 9, 2015 I presume it's the original arb as I've got all invoices from new- caterham show it on the website - but out of stock(really lol)- I will give redline a call on Monday- if no joy their then I will try Paul's suggestion-- oh yes-- 42 bricks -- are they light weight with the wholes in them or the heavier ones Paul? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyseven Posted January 9, 2015 Author Share Posted January 9, 2015 Peter- my arches are Spick and spam-- hadn't been like it long-- clunking diff would mask the problem- well that's my theory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickh7 Posted January 10, 2015 Share Posted January 10, 2015 Check you links are aligned and moving freely I broke two in quick succession and that was because the links were not even on either side and one was a bit stiff . I now strip and clean every year repack with grease and check they are the same length .. Not a failure in years , that. Of course will mean a failure on the next run Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted January 11, 2015 Share Posted January 11, 2015 regular house bricks John, I'm afraid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyseven Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 I have managed to find one from caterham- it's 1/2" rather than 9/16th - also got the drop link that was broke -I was looking at alcester racing web site as they had a guide to stripping the back end of the car down- but it doesn't seem to be on their site now-- is there a guide for dismantling the back end anywhere that I could follow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 12, 2015 Member Share Posted January 12, 2015 Was it this? It's called "Prop Replacement" but it involves taking a lot of the back end to bits.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyseven Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 No - it was the diff removal one Jonathan- I couldn't find it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 12, 2015 Member Share Posted January 12, 2015 That one gets to dropping the diff at step 6...Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyseven Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 Yep- that's what I was looking for- thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now