Support Team c7trp Posted July 21, 2007 Support Team Share Posted July 21, 2007 Bear with me, I'm a bit of a 7 newbie.... I have a lot of rear suspension noise when going over bumps. It sounds like the boot floor is bouncing around. I've checked the shocker mounts, trailing arms, wheel bearings, boot floor and removed the spare wheel. Still noisy With the car on the ground and the suspension normally loaded, I got SWMBO to rock the rear wheel vertically. The only play I can see is in the bush where the A frame meets the Dedion tube. With the most violent rock SWMBO can muster the bush moves around 2mm along the axis of the bolt. Is this an acceptable level of play or is it ready for a new one? Could the crashing noise be the dedion tube moving around as its not being adequately restrained by the A-frame ? Cheers Tim Oh, BTW, 03 Roadsport with 43k miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 I had this some years ago now. I replaced all the 'A' frame bushes with powerflex items and have not looked back. Not sure if they are available any more. Its a bugger to get the old metalastic ones out without using a press though, as they seem to rust themselves in. seem to remember the part number for the CC Metalastic is pb636/2 but please check first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team c7trp Posted July 21, 2007 Author Support Team Share Posted July 21, 2007 Cheers Mav, so you reckon they're knackered then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Could be, my car felt different when mine were on the way out. have you noticed any difference in your handling? Might be worth getting it checked out by another local? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Other frequent possibles are - handbrake cable banging on floor - sounds like a drum, or, on our car, the anti-roll bar knocking on the underside of the diff housing - got some heater hose around it now ! ****************** And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking... And racing around to come up behind you again. new link to photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishy Dave Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 I have the same symptoms, and also suspect the A frame bush. The car is very twitchy in a straight line, needing frequent correction, although I'm unsure if this is just a Caterham thing. Going to change the A bush anyway. :) New owner of BOSS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 Straight line twitchiness could be front toe out. Great for turn in but can make straight line a bit uncomfortable, especially on less than smooth roads. Could also be bump steer if it only happens on bumpy roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Day Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Check the joints on the ARB drop links; they do wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Perry Posted July 23, 2007 Share Posted July 23, 2007 Also check the front A frame bushes. Letting the clutch up sharply when these are gone usually generates a clunk and a tiny body lurch that you may or may not be able to detect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinWoodham Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 2mm is way out, mine doesn't move at all. Try tightening the bolt? Martin Aero'd supersported ex-Roadsports B...anyone got a cheap LSD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team c7trp Posted July 25, 2007 Author Support Team Share Posted July 25, 2007 Cheers All, Looking like I need to change the bushes then....I've already checked the bolts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Formston Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 Hi Tim just been on the Powerflex internet site and the part numbers of the A frame powerflex bushes are The forward bushes are PF8-901and the centra rear bush is PF8-903 Hope this helps 😬 Regards Paul ps this is on the early chassis up to 1996 the later forward bush is PF8-901 Edited by - Paul Formston on 26 Jul 2007 16:56:33 Edited by - Paul Formston on 26 Jul 2007 17:49:01 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team c7trp Posted July 26, 2007 Author Support Team Share Posted July 26, 2007 Cheers Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKB Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 Tim, I am sure that replacing the A frame bush wil be the answer to your problem. The bush was worn out on my LA car at 6000 miles (used for road use only) but I query the use of Polyurethane bushes. What is the experience of other users? CC Midlands who replaced mine, say they change these bushes after every race meeting so why don't they use these poly bushes if they are so good? Are they TOO good ie do they take the compliance out of the system. Anything to stop the regular struggle to get these damned things in (see previous threads on this topic) but is it a case of rubber is best? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKB Posted July 29, 2007 Share Posted July 29, 2007 Hasn't anyone got an opinion on the use of polyurethane bushes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKB Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 As there has not been any reply to my earlier item on the use of polyurethene bushes I have searched earlier threads on this topic and there is some good advice concerning the merits and OTHERWISE on the use of these bushes. I will continue as nature (and ACBC) intended as use rubber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mav Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 I have had the Powerflex bushes in my De-dion A frame for 5 years & 25k miles - previous metalastic ones lasted 12 months / 7k miles, with no issues as far as I'm aware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 brunel - you need a bearing on the live axle setup . Poly bushes can only be used on the de dion . here is C7 TOP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonMac Posted August 3, 2007 Share Posted August 3, 2007 Mav, were the Powerflex bushes a straight swap with the standard Caterham ones, or did they need to be cut to fit by you? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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