Tazio Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 I am rebuilding a BDR and wanted the rack refurbished, and would like to keep the car as it was delivered back in the day. I spoke to Caterham, and was told that the rack would need to be returned to Titan via Caterham, but the costs of doing so, is near enough the costs of a new rack....this is madness, that and the commercial arrangements between Titan and Caterham which precludes customers contacting Titan direct is a very unhealthy cartel. Rant Over Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 It seems odd that they will refurb DS pumps but not racks - I guess the pumps are not specific to the seven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Can you find a local rack specialist? I know of one near Preston who has looked at at least a couple of Lancashire based sevens racks I can probably find the details if you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share Posted June 25, 2018 Yes please Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncm Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Hi Tazio, If you really want to keep the car as it was delivered back in the day then you should be using the mini based rack as I believe your car, as does mine, pre-dates the Caterham branded item.Cheers, Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englishmaninwales Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 My 94 car originally had a mini based rack and was refurbished by Redline (under previous ownership) for a reasonable price. Parts will be available and as suggested a local specialist should be able to do this for a reasonable price. I think the only modification from the original is the fitting of lock limiting collars.I had similar problems with the Titan/Caterham relationship over the re-manufacture of K dry sump pans....Malcolm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted June 25, 2018 Author Share Posted June 25, 2018 The rack is a Caterham branded item, how long it's been on the car, who knows, I just don't agree with the tight ( or should it be bullying?) relationships between Caterham and their suppliers, which prevents owners going direct to the source of essentially a service item which simply puts up the cost of ownership unnecessarily...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Tazio, YHM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Do you go to Motometer / VDO to get a tacho for a VW? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 No, but on a 30 year old VW I wouldn’t expect their help and would take it to a specialist Indy. At the end of the day it a bespoke casting probably filled with BL/Ford parts. Any specialist should be able to fix it.It’s hardly a valuable bit of IP held by CC, just restrictive practice. I thought there was EU legislation, maybe it’s in development, on restrictive practices in the automotive sector about where you could get car fixed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Mackenzie Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 It may be worth a check, but I think some parts are common with the elise rack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rj Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 The Titan steering rack is filled with Titan parts. I have one that I'm going to refurbish myself as the linear bushes are worn. These could well be standard "norm" items but I'm going to make them from bronze with graphite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 I don’t know if things have changed but Titan will refurbish racks if you go direct - however they cannot replace the rack itself or the case as they are the parts that Caterham own. If you call or email them they should be able to tell you what is possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted June 26, 2018 Author Share Posted June 26, 2018 I am in St Neots tomorrow so will pop in... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old gimmer Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 I emailed Titan about refurbishing a Caterham rack 8 days ago.The reply, we do not offer any type of service for Caterham racks and must ask that you contact Caterham directly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted June 26, 2018 Share Posted June 26, 2018 Deleted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petethediesel Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Might be worth trying http://www.ics-steeringspecialist.co.uk tel no 0121 2853555. They can reman pretty much any rack and carry Elise etc racks on exchange, amongst many others. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted June 27, 2018 Author Share Posted June 27, 2018 I went in, and it's exactly as 'old gimmer' said, it's a definite No. Their Caterham Supply contract specifically prevents them dealing with Caterham owners directly. So it appears that with the costs to refurb plus Caterham's handling uplift charges, it's cheaper to buy new.....shame they do not have stock....I think I will pursue other options.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 That seems to have changed 'for the worse' then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted June 27, 2018 Member Share Posted June 27, 2018 I thought there was EU legislation, maybe it’s in development, on restrictive practices in the automotive sector about where you could get car fixed! The regulations forbidding withholding information to promote restrictive practices are in place. But I can't find anything since that, which is worrying.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Servicing the racks is pretty straight forward any of the Caterham workshops will be able to help, perhaps they have in inside line to getting spares too. I'd start with RedlineWhilst I understand CC's wish to be sole distributor of parts which they have probably made and investment in they should ensure there is an effective route for spares and servicing for their customers......... unless they believe all components are merely disposable ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_ASH Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 I thought the later racks (after the Mini ones) were Metro items sitting in the Caterham casting. I don’t remember the racks wearing at anywhere near this rate in a Metro or any other vehicle, points to poor design or crap quality or as has been suggested ignorance of the issue by Caterham as it’s good for recurring parts sales.Every Seven I’ve had bar the last one developed (or already had) a rattly end to the passenger side end of the rack.If Caterham won’t fix it is there a rack remanufacturer who can objectively look at the problem and sort a permanent or longer term fix to remove Caterham from the equation completely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim 123 Posted June 29, 2018 Share Posted June 29, 2018 Jonathan re #20. From memory Block Exemption laws in relation to Vertical Arrangements with regards to repairs and servicing would be the EU rulings that are being contravened in this instance.On another slant, I thought Titan did a components supply service for their internal parts? For a DIY / 3rd party rack refurb, the parts description and main dimensions should be sourcable from Titan without mentioning the "C" word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted June 29, 2018 Author Share Posted June 29, 2018 I will be going a 3rd Party route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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