David Mirylees Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Just refitting my type 9 gearbox after a rebuild and see that the Caterham supplied (universal) gearbox mounting is not symmetrical - there is a higher metal and rubber on one side compared to the other. If this part is actually correct - which way round does it need to be? I also see on the Caterham parts web pages that they sell a "Spacer-Gearbox Mount". Does anyone know what this is for and whether it is required for a type 9? Cheers, David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 The spacer is for Xflows. When you say it's not symmetrical, there should be a flat side (to chassis) and a 'cup' side (to gearbox). Do you mean it's larger on the left than the right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mirylees Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 The mounting when bolted through the chassis has a higher side (both metal and the bonded rubber) and a lower side. Presumably one or the other should face towards the front (engine) side? What makes the X-flow different regarding the spacer? (I have a Zetec) thks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 David, I'm no technical expert, but I can tell you that I've got the same spacer between my type 9 gearbox and Zetec as I did on my x/flow, but then again, you probably already know that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mirylees Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 (Aeroscreens) I have the spacer between the box and bellhousing but no spacer at the gearbox to chassis mounting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drumster Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 Doh! RTFQ as my teacher used to say Now I'm on the same wavelength (having looked at Caterham's site), I don't recall using a spacer on the gearbox mount. I'm pretty sure I just bolted the rubber and metal mount to the chassis, but I'm sure I bolted the mount to the gearbox first so that should give an indication as to which way round it goes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 David, yes it is correct and the taller side of the metal 'U' should be to the rear. I'm not sure whether it makes any difference although it might be clearer when you try to fit it the other way around. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 With you now David! Is the angle at which the mount sits different depending on what way round it goes? I don't recall one side being different to the other... Sorry I can't be of more help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mirylees Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Now it starts to get ever more confusing!! Caterham tell me that the higher face should be on the engine side but two knowledgable owners say the opposite (one of which contacted me offline and mentioned that he had to turn the mount thro' 180° to get everything to fit)(thanks Niclas for the input). As an engineering designer, I can see the merits of the lower face facing the engine but it gnaws at me that Caterham say otherwise...ho humm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 I'll check my build manual tomorrow and see if says anything helpful and let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Well, there's nothing in the '95 vintage build manual that suggests which way around the mount should go. I suspect its asymmetry might be a hang over from when its used in the Ford car from which it comes. I've always had mine fitted as described above without any problems and I doubt it matters so long as the metal doesn't touch anything it shouldn't. As far as CC advice is concerned, they couldn't even tell us the correct spark plug gap for a factory supplied Duratec the other day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I've found that fitting the gearbox is easier if the short side is at the front. There is less height to lift the box over. This is the way i've always fixed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Deslandes Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Never thought of that as I always attach the mount before the box goes in, rather than leaving it in the chassis 😬 😬. And, yes, the mount does catch on its way in and I'll try it the other way next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Both of my Assembly Guides ('99 Supersport and '08 R400) say to attach the mounting to the gearbox first, chamfered (lower) edge to the rear. Neither tome explains why. JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I find it easier to fit the single 12mm bolt through the mount and into the gearbox than fiddling around with the 2 small gearbox mount bolts. Earlier chassis had a hole through which the head of a 12mm cap screw wouldn't pass but this is easy to enlarge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mirylees Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 Bit of lateral thinking - I couldn't recall ordering a new gearbox mount when I replaced the 2000E box with the type 9, so yesterday I ordered a Lotus Elan mount ('cos it's either a 2000E or very similar) it arrived today and it is identical to the old one. It is almost identical to the Caterham item but has the lower metal face on both sides! That solves that problem... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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