Gridgway

Powerflex only seem to have kits for DD caterhams, not live axle. I'll try Redline, but not had much success there in recent times (maybe I'm off the Christmas card list!)

I've not done a full check yet of all the suspension bushes on my new to me crossflow. I have changed the a-frame to axle bush though to get rid of the rear axle steer and resulting clonking! Looking at the front rubber bushes they are definitely very perished. Is there likely to be a suitable bush kit for the car from anywhere, or will it require some individual sourcing? I'm not specifically looking to "upgrade" as I suspect the original rubber is good enough. Cheers, Graham

Brilliant thanks, that's them!

Very simple. I used some plastic inside the m/c cap and then bagged up each flexi pipe end. They are banjo fittings so the rubber pipe idea wouldn't work. Now need to decide whether to attempt to redo the seals myself. What are the calipers likely to be off with a LA crossflow? Just thinking of where to get the seals. I think I'll take the pistons out and see if they are corroded or not. Graham

I'll report back shortly!

Also whilst thinking about it, I thought of using a short piece of rubber hose with a bolt blocking onbe end and pushed onto the flexi end. I'll go and look at the fitting on the end of the flexi pipe.

As I am doing the recommissioning of my live axle crossflow, I need to refurb the front calipers. The pistons are seized. I want to keep the brake fluid in the system while I do it to stop the master cylinder seals from drying out and to make bleeding easier on reassembly. I'm scratching my head as to the best way of keeping it in when I take the calipers off. Ie how to block off the end of the pipes. Any good ideas out there? ETA I have already cleaned out the M/C reservoir and flushed the fluid with fresh. If I'd realised the front calipers would need the seals doing, I would have just done the whole lot in one go. Cheers Graham

Great thanks for looking anyway.

Are the radiator bobbins metric or the old 5/16 imperial ones? If they are, I'd like them please!

Carpet arrived today, looks perfect. Looking forward to getting the new mats and new boot carpet made!

Just to update. I've ordered carpet and binding from Woolies and a friend who is a trimmer says I can go and sew on his sewing machine. So I will remake using the originals as templates. I also found that Oxted can do mats as well at probably not too dissimilar a price. But where's the fun in that?

The owners manual I have says EP80 for the box and EP90 for the axle. It seems though that these daysthe gear oils are multi-grade 80w90. What are the right oils please? Sorry for the repeat question as I am sure it will have come up before!

Just back in from the garage and the one way valve is definitely there. So it's time to fill the coolant to a better level and monitor what happens. My suspicion is that there is something amis, but we'll see. I'm expecting the coolant to get blown out, and not return.

Interesting, just looked and yes there is coolant in the tank, so it could well do that. Are there different cap types that may not have the centre disc that acts as a one-way valve to let coolant back in or do they all do that? The one I have is the one with the lever in the top to safely release pressure.

Interesting, I'll have to go and have another look at it. I assumed - seemingy incorrectly that it was just an overflow bottle. I can see how excess pressure from the cooling system can vent pushing the pressure cap up. I don''t understand how it would pull coolant back down as it cools as the cap is sealed.

I'm inclined to remake the original mats with new carpet from Woolies (thanks for the link) as the rubber heel pads are fine. Then I can make a new boot carpet at the same time. I think the Woolies budget carpet is probably right rather than the full-on wool one though. Now all I need is the use of an industrial sewing machine for a day. Well to be precise, the use of one for my wife for a day!

Thanks all for the info. Covering the points. no there isn't an expansion tank, so one imagines there needs to be at least some air gap under the cap. There is an overflow bottle to contain any coolant that comes past the cap, but it doesn't go back in. I'll try a new thermostat to see what happens and top up the coolant. If there is some kind of cooling issue, I'd rather find it and fix it. I'll take the heat off and check for any visible signs of leaks and then plumb it back in to see what happens. Not come across a restrictor plate before. How would I find it and recongnise it? Cheers Graham

Not sure if this is a techie question, but I need new footwell carpets and a new boot carpet for my live axle crossflow. Any suggestions as to who might do these? I assume Caterham themselves are unlikely to have stock! cheers Graham

Just been looking at the cooling system on the crossflow. It doesn't look to have a thermostat which was surprising, unless that's the norm with crossflows. In my short drives, it doesn't look to have a cooling problem, seems to get to about 80 degrees and no further yet. The coolant level is just below the level of the top hose which means that the fan thermostat is not submerged although I guess it'll get coolant washed over it in use. What level should the coolant be? The fan works if you take the connectors off the thermostat and make them together. Also the long term owner has taken the heater out of the cooling circuit. The send and return hoses for it are just connected. That makes me wonder. So two questions, what should the coolant level be and is it ok without a thermostat? Cheers Graham

Quick update, the VIN has GS in there to indicate 1600.

Just to update, with the PCD, it's the Ital axle. Got a question about gear oil now so will start a new thread.

Thanks All, I'll check the VIN in a mo and report back. Like my question about the condition of the axle, there's really no need to have the head off if the engine works ok which it does, so I may have to stay my curiosity. I'll get it on the rollers to get the cabs properly tuned wchih will give at least some idea of what's what. I'm not ecpecting it to be 1700 supersprint spec though. And to reassure everyone, I will be out tomorrow giving it a bit more of a blat on its new tyres rather than the originals which are currently on it and give about as much grip as a Red Bull going round to grid up at Spa! So some driving as well as contemplating and fettling!

Thanks All for the info. I will check the oil and certainly carry on for the time being. Then decide whether to have a look over the winter.

So the spec of my crossflow is a bit of an unknown. It is registered as a 1600. The guy I bought from had it a very short time (he changed plans), but the long term owner before that was convinced it was a 1700. Then there is the question of the compression ratio and head spec (valves etc). It's a 711m block, doesn't have a Caterham cam cover and I'm just curious about it. I suspect there's little I can do to check it out without having the head off and there's no reason to do that at 10k miles (assuming compressions and leakdowns don't show any problems). It seems to pull well although it needs a rolling road setup as it's running very rich and stumbles a lot. You can definitely still see the honing marks in the bores! Cheers Graham

In my new to me LA crossflow. I'd like to work out which back axle it is and what condition it is in. The car has only done 10k miles since new (yep) so it should be ok, the question is whether it is or not. I have no symptoms to say it's not Or should I just have it off over the winter and send it to a specialist to check out and remedy any wear? If so, whom? Cheers Graham