Knackered diff

[Bernie1697456933]

Dear Anne Robinson

 

I have put my 2000/Wreg 1.6k roadsport in for a service this week and have been given the delightful news that it needs a new diff costing £300.

 

I bought the car off caterham in january with 200 miles on the clock and have since taken it up to 6000 miles (including two track days.)

 

I have been told by the garage that there is play in the diff bearings and that the whole diff needs to be replaced.

 

Caterham have told me that as the car is out of warranty I will have to pay the full amount myself.

 

As you can imagine I am a little bit miffed about this as when I bought this car I thought it would be able to take the odd track day and everyday use in its stride ( up until recently it was my only car).

 

What I would like to know is :

 

Has anybody else ever experienced this problem?

What caused the failure?

Are caterham being fair?

Once it`s repaired should it be a reliable car on the track?

 

Any help will be gratefully received

 

 

[Paul Ranson]

Who's told you your diff is knackered? Does it have an LSD fitted? Are there good reasons to believe them?

 

UKP300 seems very cheap for a new diff.

 

It's always possible for a component to be faulty, it's got to happen to someone, but I'd want to be very sure that I really had a problem, and that there wasn't something else going on. And if the diff really is knackered after 6000 miles then I would hope Caterham would help out.

 

Paul

[allen]

Bernie,

 

I think you need a second opinion, SPC perhaps? (I don't have their phone number to hand but expect someone does).

 

If it is true that the bearing need replacing I would have thought that could be done for a lot less than 300 quid.

 

Regards,

 

allen

[Chelspeed]

SPC charged me around 175ukp to rebuild a diff (but it was limited slip type) with new gaskets and bearings. But that was a bare diff. If you're paying hourly rates to Caterham for them to strip the car and remove the diff then the price will clearly go up.

 

Whether or not you should be paying anything to the bill on a car this age and mileage is of course a different matter....

 

If you want a second opinion then, as posted previously, SPC are highly recomended, talk to Steve Perks on 01527 894232.

 

Stripping the rear suspension and removing the diff is pretty straightforward if you do decide to go this way.

[Bernie1697456933]

Thanks for the replies.

 

The car has a std diff.

I got it wrong about the diff having to be replaced, only the driveshaft is being done (unless you add me to the equation).

 

Unfortunately I have given the go ahead to fit the part because i`m supposed to be going on a track day tomorrow.

 

Will this scupper my chances of a claim ?

Should I make sure I get the knackered item and get it inspected by a specialist?

 

 

[Mike Bees]

The driveshafts are bespoke Caterham parts (a shorter version of a Sierra driveshaft, made by GKN for Caterham). On my out-of-date parts CD they're priced at 205ukp (inc VAT) each.

 

Never heard of one failing though. It certainly shouldn't happen in 6000 miles.

 

Mike

[Robster]

Guys....if you insist on using these dodgy old ford diffs..what do you expect? Do the right thing and convert to ital. Mine's still in one piece!

[Mike Bees]

That at least endows it with extreme rarity value smile.gif

 

I've witnessed a number of Ital axles go bang and/or shed wheels, I've never seen a Sierra diff or driveshaft break.

 

Mike