Ian B Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 See further down for reformatting attempts in progress after transfer to new forum ===============Firstly, thanks to all (both owners and others) who have contributed information and photos to this subject from the thread here (names have been removed to protect the guilty!). I’ve closed that thread, as I hope this one will stay on topic and become a useful resource to us all, as well as new owners. ) who have been asking what the results of the request for info has been, I’ve summarised the replies below. I should say it is not my intention to panic people, a lot of this has been discussed before, and I can’t say that all tubes of a certain version may/will fail as the examples I’ve been given, all I am doing here is to present a summary of the replies I received. Hopefully this information, and the pictures I’ve linked to here, will allow people to check the condition of their own Dedion tubes and know what to look out for. There are pictures of some new Dedion tubes there, as well as numbered failed tubes. I should explain that I have been made aware of a number of ‘versions’ of the Dedion tube. For ease of reference I’ve numbered the following tubes in order “Version 1” etc. In reality there may well have been several ‘in between’ versions but these are the ones I have been made aware of. CC eventually came back to me with the list of changes shown at the end of this post, and (for the 11/6/2008 edit) I have attempted to incorporate that data into the “versions” below. There are a few anomalies, but it generally looks about right now: Version 1 – SERIES 3 - 85-89. Part Number 79011 Original dedion tube. ERW 12swg Claw type centre mounting Damper through-tube mount The early tube was lightweight and could fail by jacking the car on it. Damper mount was through the centre of the tubes diameter. Most common failure was the small central buttress tearing away from the tube. Version 2 – SERIES 3 - 90-96. Part Number 79016 90-94: Centre mount changed to buttress type. ERW 14swg and 12swg 94: Buttress widened Tube seemed to be more substantial than V1, and the car could be jacked up on it OK. Damper mount was through the centre of the tubes diameter. Most common failure seems to be cracking around the circumference of the tube, at the end of the central buttress. Version 2a – SERIES 3 - ?/07 replacements. Part Number 79016* A more substantial version of V2 but with thicker 10 swg material appears to have been supplied later (eg in 07) as a replacement for earlier cars with through tube damper mounts, where the original tube has failed by cracking near the centre buttress). *These have the same part number 79016 as V2, but are described as "H.D. 10 GAUGE" on CC invoices. Version 3 – SERIES 3 - 96> Part Number 79028 96: Lower damper mount added to allow use of increased gas volume dampers. Damper through-tube mount retained for retrofit End plate gusset gauge increased to 3mm (running change during production) 97: Indent for Watts link bell crank added 00: Buttress ends bronze welded Still believed to be 12swg A second (lower) Damper mounting for progressive dampers was added by welding on a sleeve to the bottom of the tube. This version seems to have had many failures, mainly of the weld, or the metal immediately around the weld area, tearing away from the tube. Version 4 – Series 3 02: (retrofit only) CDS 10swg Increased weight from V3 as the tube wall thickness has been increased. ‘Spare’ Through the tube mounting not fitted (except I believe on request from Arch). Version 5 – Series 3 Still Part Number 79028 01: Holes added for brake pipe fixings Damper bush gusset added Damper bush length increased by 4mm Not heard of any failures of this version. Version 6 – Series 3 02: Overall width increased by 8mm CDS 10swg to harmonise with SV tube production (Understood v5 was 10swg already?) Version 7 – Series 3 04-present Damper through-tube mount deleted Weight = 8.9Kg (previous thinner versions were 7.8Kg) Note for SV’s: SV Version A - Series 5 (SV) - 01>02 Part Number 59028 01: As per 79028 (Version 3 above) Early SV’s 2001-2002 had a (longer) version 3 (I believe without the damper mounting gusset). SV Version B – Series 5 (SV) 02> Still Part Number 59028 02: Changed to same spec as Version 5 above (thicker gauge steel: CDS 10swg) Passed industry standard durability testing at Millbrook As I understand it the tubes were manufactured by Arch to Caterhams requirements. Now, the summary of the replies I received from people who have suffered failures is below. The owners names have been removed, but initials have been shown in brackets at he the end of each entry so you can identify your own (if want them removed then please let me know). Each entry has been numbered, and if I have a photo of that tube then it can be found with the same corresponding number on the photo link. So here goes: 1. Car suddenly veered off road at 90 degrees with no warning. Speed 30-35mph. Nearside Dedion ear found to have failed. 2002 SV 1.6k. Accident Feb 2005. (AS). 2. Dedion failed suddenly and without warning in 2004. NS rear suspension mounting peeled away from tube. Rear of car lurched to one side. 1.9k mostly road use. (JL) 3. Returning from successful MOT in 2005 noticed wobble from cars back end. Dedion found to be split 2/3rds around circumference near centre. 1.7 Xflow. (DE) 4. Dedion tube failed in June 05 at low speed (30mph) with wobbly sensation at rear and slight snaking of rear wheels. 1994 car. (RG) 5. Broken Dedion caused car to slew round at 30mph on road. Mileage approx 24k. Dampers standard Bilstein & Freestyle. 99% road use. Tyres were Yoko 021r's (NH) 6. At recent 2005 service N/S Dedion end plate was found to be cracked and was replaced prior to failure. Changed from Bilsteins mounted under tube to Nitrons bolted through tube and OK so far. (JP) 7. In 1994 the Dedion cracked 3/4 way round at A frame mounting. 1992 car (2 years old). Rear of car was suddenly darting sideways. (CL) 8. Damper mountings starting to peel away from Dedion tube and one in imminent danger of detaching completely in 2005. 1.9k. (MS) 9. Partial failure of Dedion suspension mountings in Feb05. Tube replaced before complete failure. Replacement tube had been strengthened at this point. (BC) 10. Dedion tube large crack (finger size) found in tube where rear suspension bolts to tube. Approx May05. (RM) 11. Shock absorber mounting to Dedion tube cracked and peeling away from tube. Replacment tube had an improved damper mounting. (PD) 12. Dedion tube bent in middle with 80% completely spilt apart around the circumference. Rear of car randomly moving 50cm to right or left. Failure in Feb05 on road. (some contact marks on differential where it could have contacted the Dedion tube). (JR) 13. Dedion tube peeling away around suspension mount causing rear of car to drop. Other side also cracking. 21. (CS) 14. Caterham agent identified stress crack in 2004 on Dedion shock absorber mount on a 97 superlight. Caterham agent welded joint, owner replaced whole tube as welding . New tube was different design. (RP) 15. Recounts observations of inspections several other friends Dedion failures (SF) 16. Dedion ear (joining tube to driveshaft/wheel hub) broke in half (in Academy race 2004). Effect was sudden sideways movement of the back of the car when braking or changing gear. (MW) 17. Dedion snapped around 3/4 of diameter of tube, 3" to nearside of A frame. (on track) (RN) 18. On track. whole end of the Dedion tube, hub, wheel etc detached. Std. Bilsteins (MC) 19. Tube cracked and peeled away at lower shock mounts. However problem exacerbated by extended bolts used to mount Eibach shocks. (DW) 20. '97 Dedion failed. (AB) 21. No sign of any corrosion; failure appears to have started at the welded seam next to the central A buttress. The replacement tube from CC weighed 8kg and the failed one 6.5kg. Heavier gauge material used on the later tube. (MJ) 22. 1997 car, done over 40000 miles, many trackdays and 2.5 seasons of sprinting (1.5 of which are dual drives). Has had a hard life, highly modified 226 bhp engine, Nitron dampers with uprated springs. (SE) 23. Spotted cracks during routine spanner check. 97 Superlight with original Bilstiens, all bolts and washers are to the best of my knowledge original. Following is a list of the Dedion Tube Types from Caterham: SERIES 3 - 85-89 Part Number 79011 85-89 Original dedion tube ERW 12swg Claw type centre mounting Damper through-tube mount -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SERIES 3 - 90-96 Part Number 79016 90-94 Centre mount changed to buttress type ERW 14swg and 12swg 94 Buttress widened 02 (retrofit only) CDS 10swg -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SERIES 3 - 96> Part Number 79028 96 Lower damper mount added to allow use of increased gas volume dampers Damper through-tube mount retained for retrofit End plate gusset gauge increased to 3mm (running change during production) 97 Indent for Watts link bell crank added 00 Buttress ends bronze welded 01 Holes added for brake pipe fixings Damper bush gusset added Damper bush length increased by 4mm 02 Overall width increased by 8mm CDS 10swg to harmonise with SV tube production 04-present Damper through-tube mount deleted -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SERIES 5 - 01> Part Number 59028 01 As per 79028 except CDS 10swg Passed industry standard durability testing at Millbrook Introduced Edited by - Ian B on 12 May 2006 14:49:33 Edited by - Ian B on 11 Jun 2008 22:45:33 Edited by - Ian B on 11 Jun 2008 22:49:30 Edited by - Ian B on 11 Jun 2008 22:53:29 Edited by - Ian B on 11 Jun 2008 23:21:06 Edited by - Ian B on 14 Jun 2008 18:08:09 Edited by - Ian B on 15 Oct 2009 19:47:37 Edited by - Ian B on 18 Feb 2010 22:35:35 Edited by - Ian B on 18 Feb 2010 23:04:28 Edited by - Ian B on 18 Feb 2010 23:14:52 Edited by - Ian B on 3 Mar 2010 20:15:55 Edited by - Ian B on 23 Jun 2010 20:13:54 Edited by - Ian B on 23 Jun 2010 20:15:20 Edited by - Ian B on 23 Jun 2010 20:30:53 Edited by - Ian B on 23 Jun 2010 20:45:24 Edited by - Ian B on 5 Oct 2011 14:53:58 Edited by - Ian B on 10 Oct 2012 13:28:51 Edited by - Ian B on 27 Jun 2013 12:24:37 Edited by - Ian B on 27 Jun 2013 12:28:42 =====================First attempt at recreating original formatting and links after moving to new forum: (with second attempt Dec 2015 to update photolinks)=====================Firstly, thanks to all (both owners and others) who have contributed information and photos to this subject from the thread here (names have been removed to protect the guilty!).I’ve closed that thread, as I hope this one will stay on topic and become a useful resource to us all, as well as new owners. [;)]OK, now for all those patient people (and Myles [:p]) who have been asking what the results of the request for info has been, I’ve summarised the replies below.I should say it is not my intention to panic people, a lot of this has been discussed before, and I can’t say that all tubes of a certain version may/will fail as the examples I’ve been given, all I am doing here is to present a summary of the replies I received.Hopefully this information, and the pictures I’ve linked to here, will allow people to check the condition of their own Dedion tubes and know what to look out for.There are pictures of some new Dedion tubes there, as well as numbered failed tubes. I should explain that I have been made aware of a number of ‘versions’ of the Dedion tube.For ease of reference I’ve numbered the following tubes in order “Version 1” etc.In reality there may well have been several ‘in between’ versions but these are the ones I have been made aware of.CC eventually came back to me with the list of changes shown at the end of this post, and (for the 11/6/2008 edit) I have attempted to incorporate that data into the “versions” below. There are a few anomalies, but it generally looks about right now: Version 1 –SERIES 3 - 85-89. Part Number 79011 Original dedion tube.ERW 12swgClaw type centre mountingDamper through-tube mountThe early tube was lightweight and could fail by jacking the car on it.Damper mount was through the centre of the tubes diameter.Most common failure was the small central buttress tearing away from the tube. Version 2 – SERIES 3 - 90-96. Part Number 7901690-94: Centre mount changed to buttress type. ERW 14swg and 12swg94: Buttress widenedTube seemed to be more substantial than V1, and the car could be jacked up on it OK.Damper mount was through the centre of the tubes diameter.Most common failure seems to be cracking around the circumference of the tube, at the end of the central buttress. Version 2a – SERIES 3 - ?/07 replacements. Part Number 79016*A more substantial version of V2 but with thicker 10 swg material appears to have been supplied later (eg in 07) as a replacement for earlier cars with through tube damper mounts, where the original tube has failed by cracking near the centre buttress). *These have the same part number 79016 as V2, but are described as "H.D. 10 GAUGE" on CC invoices. Version 3 – SERIES 3 - 96> Part Number 7902896: Lower damper mount added to allow use of increased gas volume dampers.Damper through-tube mount retained for retrofitEnd plate gusset gauge increased to 3mm (running change during production)97: Indent for Watts link bell crank added00: Buttress ends bronze weldedStill believed to be 12swgA second (lower) Damper mounting for progressive dampers was added by welding on a sleeve to the bottom of the tube.[red]This version seems to have had many failures[/red], mainly of the weld, or the metal immediately around the weld area, tearing away from the tube. Version 4 – Series 302: (retrofit only) CDS 10swgIncreased weight from V3 as the tube wall thickness has been increased.‘Spare’ Through the tube mounting not fitted (except I believe on request from Arch). Version 5 – Series 3 Still Part Number 7902801: Holes added for brake pipe fixingsDamper bush gusset addedDamper bush length increased by 4mmNot heard of any failures of this version. Version 6 – Series 302: Overall width increased by 8mmCDS 10swg to harmonise with SV tube production (Understood v5 was 10swg already?) Version 7 – Series 304-presentDamper through-tube mount deletedWeight = 8.9Kg (previous thinner versions were 7.8Kg) [under]Note for SV’s:[/under] SV Version A - Series 5 (SV) - 01>02 Part Number 5902801: As per 79028 (Version 3 above)Early SV’s 2001-2002 had a (longer) version 3 (I believe without the damper mounting gusset). SV Version B – Series 5 (SV) 02> Still Part Number 5902802: Changed to same spec as Version 5 above (thicker gauge steel: CDS 10swg)Passed industry standard durability testing at Millbrook As I understand it the tubes were manufactured by Arch to Caterhams requirements. Now, the summary of the replies I received from people who have suffered failures is below.The owners names have been removed, but initials have been shown in brackets at he the end of each entry so you can identify your own (if want them removed then please let me know).Each entry has been numbered, and if I have a photo of that tube then it can be found with the same corresponding number on the photo link. So here goes: 1. Car suddenly veered off road at 90 degrees with no warning. Speed 30-35mph. Nearside Dedion ear found to have failed. 2002 SV 1.6k. Accident Feb 2005. (AS).2. Dedion failed suddenly and without warning in 2004. NS rear suspension mounting peeled away from tube. Rear of car lurched to one side. 1.9k mostly road use. (JL)3. Returning from successful MOT in 2005 noticed wobble from cars back end. Dedion found to be split 2/3rds around circumference near centre. 1.7 Xflow. (DE)4. Dedion tube failed in June 05 at low speed (30mph) with wobbly sensation at rear and slight snaking of rear wheels. 1994 car. (RG)5. Broken Dedion caused car to slew round at 30mph on road. Mileage approx 24k. Dampers standard Bilstein & Freestyle. 99% road use. Tyres were Yoko 021r's (NH)6. At recent 2005 service N/S Dedion [under]end plate[/under] was found to be cracked and was replaced prior to failure. Changed from Bilsteins mounted under tube to Nitrons bolted through tube and OK so far. (JP)7. In 1994 the Dedion cracked 3/4 way round at A frame mounting. 1992 car (2 years old). Rear of car was suddenly darting sideways. (CL)8. Damper mountings starting to peel away from Dedion tube and one in imminent danger of detaching completely in 2005. 1.9k. (MS)9. Partial failure of Dedion suspension mountings in Feb05. Tube replaced before complete failure. Replacement tube had been strengthened at this point. (BC)10. Dedion tube large crack (finger size) found in tube where rear suspension bolts to tube. Approx May05. (RM)11. Shock absorber mounting to Dedion tube cracked and peeling away from tube. Replacment tube had an improved damper mounting. (PD)12. Dedion tube bent in middle with 80% completely spilt apart around the circumference. Rear of car randomly moving 50cm to right or left. Failure in Feb05 on road. (some contact marks on differential where it could have contacted the Dedion tube). (JR)13. Dedion tube peeling away around suspension mount causing rear of car to drop. Other side also cracking. 21. (CS)14. Caterham agent identified stress crack in 2004 on Dedion shock absorber mount on a 97 superlight. Caterham agent welded joint, owner replaced whole tube as welding <not good>. New tube was different design. (RP)15. Recounts observations of inspections several other friends Dedion failures (SF)16. Dedion ear (joining tube to driveshaft/wheel hub) broke in half (in Academy race 2004). Effect was sudden sideways movement of the back of the car when braking or changing gear. (MW)17. Dedion snapped around 3/4 of diameter of tube, 3" to nearside of A frame. (on track) (RN)18. On track. whole end of the Dedion tube, hub, wheel etc detached. Std. Bilsteins (MC)19. Tube cracked and peeled away at lower shock mounts. However problem exacerbated by extended bolts used to mount Eibach shocks. (DW)20. '97 Dedion failed. (AB)21. No sign of any corrosion; failure appears to have started at the welded seam next to the central A buttress. The replacement tube from CC weighed 8kg and the failed one 6.5kg. Heavier gauge material used on the later tube. (MJ)22. 1997 car, done over 40000 miles, many trackdays and 2.5 seasons of sprinting (1.5 of which are dual drives). Has had a hard life, highly modified 226 bhp engine, Nitron dampers with uprated springs. (SE)23. Spotted cracks during routine spanner check. 97 Superlight with original Bilstiens, all bolts and washers are to the best of my knowledge original. here (JS)24. Drivers side lower damper mount weld has cracked. Fracture is not only in the weld but has started to rip the metal of the tube as well. 2000 original DD tube. (PM)25. Failure of tube around centre buttress. At about 35mph, rear of car suddenly stepped out to the middle of the road and crabbed along with no prior warning. Earlier in day had done some 'hot' laps of Hethel, and this happened on way home 36 miles later. The car is a 1991 and had done about 16,000 road miles. Arch sand blasted and re powder coated the chassis including the tube in 2004 when I did a ground up rebuild. At no time did they or I notice anything wrong. Difficult to spot even after started cracking. Replacement tube was Version 2a. Always jacked from under the diff, but previous owner could have used the tube as a jacking point. (GL)26. Car is a 1999 VX 2.0 with 31000 miles not used on track and never kerbed. In 2009 the car started to ground the exhaust. Returned home to find a half moon section torn out of the tube on the passenger side with the lower damper mount just hanging on. Caterham said that they had only seen this problem on race cars that had been driven over the kerb! A new tube was purchased and fitted and the old tube was left with the parts dept at Dartford for inspection. (JS)27. 1999 T reg 1.8 VVC caterham. Factory built. 28000ish miles when dedion noticed and changed here and here. I use it for road miles and I do about 10,000 to 12,000 per year. I'm the 4th owner and it's been tracked previously in it's life. The crack was found by the back left suspension mount on the De Dion tube. Ii appears that the mount is just pealing away from the tube. (DL)28. 1998 Superlight R, 25,000 miles. Self built. Has longer shockers and watts linkage. I think it is a 'Version 3' so no real surprise that it has failed. Near side shocker mounting (Lower welded on type) tearing away from the dedion tube from above. Not detached yet but can put my little finger in the hole.Found on inspection after renewing drive shaft boots on drivers side. I run my fingers round any handy welds when servicing and cleaning the car as a matter of habit.Just back from a Scotland so suspect that some rough potholed roads are to blame. It was fine just prior to the trip. The tube is rust free and clean with the paint in good order on the outside. It has been waxoiled on the inside from new. I think this failure is not due to corrosion but to inadequate strength at the point of the welded attachment of the lower shocker mounting tube. The car has been used enthusiastically but not abused. (MM)29. 1997 S3 K series, 1600, 175+bhp, 50.000 km, mainly road use in Belgium, Netherlands, France and Germany. Probably 5% on track. Always garaged. 6 speed, LSD, Nitrons with 225 and 140 lbs/inch, although now running original progressive Caterham springs, 100,130,170 lbs/inch. Must have looked ok 2-3 months ago as passed the equivalent of UK MOT, which is very thorough in Belgium photo 29 (PC)30. 1997 S3 1600K Superlight 138bhp. Type 3 dedion, standard Bilsteins. 33K miles (road and track). Spotted small crack around front edge of n/s damper mount weld during annual check. (IJ)31. 1997 Superlight, 19k miles, R400 engine and Nitrons fitted 1k at about 18k. Road use only (apart from a few Nordschleife laps). The damper mounting broke completely and dropped by 45 degreeswhich also damaged the damper rod.here If you recognise your entry and think it contains inaccuracies, [red]or you can add the car year, mileage or Dedion Version number[/red], then please either post here, or to remain anonymous blatmail me to let me know, and I’ll try to keep the above updated. And . . .Discuss [:E] [red]Following is a list of the Dedion Tube Types from Caterham:[/red] SERIES 3 - 85-89Part Number 7901185-89Original dedion tubeERW 12swgClaw type centre mountingDamper through-tube mount--------------------------------------------------------------------------------SERIES 3 - 90-96Part Number 7901690-94Centre mount changed to buttress typeERW 14swg and 12swg94Buttress widened02 (retrofit only)CDS 10swg-------------------------------------------------------------------------------SERIES 3 - 96>Part Number 7902896Lower damper mount added to allow use of increased gas volume dampersDamper through-tube mount retained for retrofitEnd plate gusset gauge increased to 3mm (running change during production)97Indent for Watts link bell crank added00Buttress ends bronze welded01Holes added for brake pipe fixingsDamper bush gusset addedDamper bush length increased by 4mm02Overall width increased by 8mmCDS 10swg to harmonise with SV tube production04-presentDamper through-tube mount deleted--------------------------------------------------------------------------------SERIES 5 - 01>Part Number 5902801As per 79028 except CDS 10swgPassed industry standard durability testing at MillbrookIntroduced Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 Suspicious number of low-speed failures. I shall resolve to avoid this situation in the future... Project Scope-Creep is live... Alcester Racing 7's Equipe - 🙆🏻™ Alcester-Racing-Sevens.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EFA Posted November 8, 2005 Share Posted November 8, 2005 I don't think you'll have access to Blatchat from tomorrow 😳 😬 😬 😬 Good luck. You need it! Edited by - EFA on 8 Nov 2005 23:28:15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Re. pictures 6 and 18 - this is a non-standard damper isn't it? With a stock Bilstein the damper is hard against the threaded bush (albeit it with a couple of spacer washers in between). In pics 6 & 18 is the bolt just wound in until it meets the blind end of the bush? Is the damper body being pulled against the DD tube? Either way it looks horrible, and is surely exerting a lot more leverage on the threaded bush than the stock damper does. Or am I missing something? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Yes - also pic 19 is a different I car I think and is using the same dampers with the same failier - Thoses thick grey dampers do look like the new adjustable race Bilstiens ? I reckon I will take the tube out this winter and weld on some strengthening around the damper mounts ? just to be sure . Edited by - Dave Jackson on 9 Nov 2005 08:21:39 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony C Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I think you are to be commended Ian - good job 😬 When there is a problem with an aircraft the operator informs the manufacturer, who issues a service bulletin, particularly if it is a safety issue - which this clearly is. What you have posted will give us all the information needed to carry-out the necessary inspections. I doubt that the De dion will just "Let-go", so frequesnt inspection will give advanced warning of any incipient failure. BRG Brooklands SV 😬 It seems that perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to take away. (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Faulds Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Dave, they do look similar to the Caterham race dampers, but they fit 'properly' without that awful, leverage multiplying bodge seen there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 How do you do that Stuart? I'm quite shocked (pardon the pun) at the way they've been fitted in the pix. Glad it's not just me! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Green Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 A question I have been asked to ask: Does the V2 tube have the narrow buttress still ? Ta Nick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 How wide is the narrow buttress and how wide is the wide one ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted November 9, 2005 Author Share Posted November 9, 2005 Sorry for not replying sooner, have been out this morning Thanks Tony Although several owners have reported them just 'letting go' I'm not sure how often / if ever they were inspected (although No.3 is a bit concerning!). Just to reiterate the picture numbers relate to the numbers of the failures in the list 1-19 above (therefore 6 & 19 are different cars). Nick, Regarding the question of butresses, there are no strictly 'defined' Versions of the tube, that I am aware of I've just referred to them as above in order to try to allow people to roughly differentiate between the major changes; there could be several other 'stages' between each 'version'. It seems the 'development' of the tube has been 'an ongoing process' with small mods done as and when required - although I have asked the question of CC, I've yet to find out if there is a list of the exact mods and when they were done. Hope this helps Ian - MI 5EVN - Slightly Vider SVelte model 😬 now repainted to match the Autocom headsets 😳 Edited to correct numbering error 😳 Edited by - Ian B on 9 Nov 2005 16:52:02 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 I'd be interested to know what dampers 16,18&19 are using . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stijn LUYCK 1 Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 That is a Nitron, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Faulds Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Mike, the Caterham race dampers clear the tube in the same way the standard dampers do, so no need for sleeves or spacers. Dave, I'd like to know too - if nothing else so that I could avoid ever buying/fitting any Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted November 9, 2005 Author Share Posted November 9, 2005 Oops, a few errors at the end of the list 😳 Picture 18 was indeed another copy of picture 6! The correct description for failure 18 has been added above, as has another failure 20 (sorry no more details on these). I've emailed all who provided info pointing them to this thread so if they are able they may respond, or can do so via me if they want to remain anonymous. Ian - MI 5EVN - Slightly Vider SVelte model 😬 now repainted to match the Autocom headsets 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Dave number 18 was mine (I believe), Dampers were std Bilsteins (this was on my SLR now with Simon Scott) Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrigsby Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Hmm I have Nitrons mounted on the centre mount of the tube and they clear the tube easily, they also don't look like any of the dampers in those photos... Rob G www.SpeedySeven.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted November 9, 2005 Author Share Posted November 9, 2005 Er, sorry for the confusion 😳 Dave is referring to Photo 18, which I have removed as it was a duplicate of photo 6. Marks is indeed description number 18 but I don't have any photos of it. Ian - MI 5EVN - Slightly Vider SVelte model 😬 now repainted to match the Autocom headsets 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnty Lyons Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 For the non technical amongs us who may be worried and not sure what to look for, may I suggest a trip to your nearest Tyre fitter and get your rear alignment checked, as this is the first sign that things are going wrong. As the shockabsorber mount peels downwwards so the tube bends ever so slightly and the rear toe changes dramatically. End result is of course severe handling problems and severe rear tyre wear as well. ☹️ jj N.I. L7C AO. Membership No.3927. Se7en Services.N.I. Caterham Service Agents. www.onthelimiter.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgrigsby Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Just for the really non techy people what sort of rear alignment figures should people expect if they popped down the road to a trusty tyre fitter? Rob G www.SpeedySeven.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DohNut Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 If it helps anyone the very early DeDeon had a narrow butress that was in 2 parts. The different style of A-Frame went inbetween the two butress' Without measuring I would say the base is 8 inches accross rather than a foot or more for the newer version. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westfield Posted November 9, 2005 Share Posted November 9, 2005 Good post, thanks Ian. *thumbup* Should this be at the top of the list like the VX pulley thread? back to work - no time to update the web site!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 I'm confused now. Picture #6 is not a standard Bilstein. If anyone has dampers mounted in this extended-leverage fashion I suggest they do something about it immediately. I certainly would. Actually I don't think I'd have driven it at all... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 I would realy like to know what dampers 6 & 19 are can the owners confirm ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted November 10, 2005 Share Posted November 10, 2005 And who fits/fitted them like that! Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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