Caterham 7 Brakes

[KAR 120C]

Hi all,

Can anyone help with the hydraulic brake system union thread sizes and types please? Any data will be very helpful as I am replacing the braking system and brake pipes on my 7.

The front calipers are Triumph I believe and the rears are Ford Sierra. I want to replace the "TEE" on the De Dion tube also, so need to know what thread and union type this is. 

My Master cylinder is the Girling 74660152 with two ports labeled "P" & "S".

Any help will be appreciated.

Cheers

Michael

 

[orangepeel61]

I've recently overhauled the front brake system with replacement front calipers and master cylinder. (Didn't touch the rear so cant comment on that)

The master cylinder was the "standard" one from Caterham and the calipers were the Triumph type 14 from Rimmer bros.

All the unions were 3/8" UNF which I got from Car Builder Solutions.

The only issue I had was that the original brake pipes were steal not copper and my DIY flaring tool couldn't cope so I ended up replacing all the pipes but it sounds like you intend to do that anyway.

My car is 1987 Supersprint. 

Hope that is useful. 

Good luck

Neil.

[JP]

I'm about to do the same.  Are you happy with the Type 14s from Rimmer?  Do they seem well made and no leaks etc?

[simon_h]

Generally all the brake fittings on a caterham are 3/8" unf except the sierra calipers that have m10x1 fittings.

[KAR 120C]

Brilliant, thank you folks.

Neil

Thank you for the advice regarding steel brake pipes. I am fortunate as I own a really high quality SP flaring tool. That said, I am fitting all new 3/16" cupro nickel brake pipe and looking to buy brass union fittings. I have SS braided Goodridge flexible brake lines from Redline. My first car was a 1987 Super Sprint spec car that I built for under £5k! It was a live axle registration "Q971 OBP" and was when 7's were still aimed at the less wealthy sector of the population, as Colin Chapman intended.I am not sure where my calipers came from, just know they are pattern ones, still BNIB.

JP

Good luck, straightforward enough I feel, providing we buy the correct Imperial/Metric components.

simon_h

I did suspect exactly as you state. I was just seeking some confirmation before I spend my pension on the brass unions. They are a lot more expensive than the steel counterparts!

 

Thank you all for your input, it is much appreciated.

Be seeing you

Michael

[SLR No.77]

I've just made up all the brake lines for my classic Mini rebuild, same spec, Kunifer 3/16" brake pipe and 3/8 UNF unions. In addition to the various pipe flaring and bending tools I also bought a 'pipe straightener' from CBS, great bit of kit and results in very professionally finished lines, recommended.

Stu.

[orangepeel61]

#3 Yes, I'm happy with the Type 14 calipers, they seem fine although thinking about it now (it was a few months ago) there was a little imbalance in them, I took the pads out and put a (thinner) spacer in and worked the brake peddle a few times which seemed to bed them in.

After that they were fine, no leeks etc, and have been ever since.

[KAR 120C]

Stu,

you are right about the pipe straightener. I have one on order from China via Amazon! It's one of the 16 wheel ones. Hopefully it will be alright but we will see. If it works, link here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09PL24PJK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Pleased to hear you are happy with the calipers Neil. I have built two 7's in the past so this rebuild should be easy (ish)! I wanted to spray it this year but time got away from me before damp cool weather came, so it will have to wait now. Both previous 7's were Super Sprint spec. The first had a live axle that I took from an Ital and had Caterham weld on the stiffening brace. The second was one of the last out of the old original showroom on the hill. Again Super Sprint spec but with De Dion axle this time.They were both built in 1987 and 1990 respectively. This one is going to have a C20XE 2.0litre Red Top VX engine. Not really going to breath on it but would like a set of Jenvey throttle bodies if I can stretch. I would like to see around 180-185 bhp. Plenty for the road.

toodle-oo 

Mike

 

[SLR No.77]

Mike, that straighter looks identical to the one I bought from CBS ... but cheaper!

Stu.

[KAR 120C]

Hi Stu,

I do shop around to find the best deal I can with anything I buy online. The time I spend is disproportionate but I sort of enjoy shaving pounds and even pence off! I actually paid £34.19 for it with a "promotion" on Amazon, the original price then being £38.48 with p&p. That was on the 24th Nov. 2022. According to a "Global" online tracker it landed in the UK on 29th Nov. No further updates since!  When I first started looking at these they were £50- over £60. That was a while back. So I bought rollers to make a simpler version after watching countless YT vids but now decided this unit is so much more user friendly and at sub £35 could justify it to myself.

 

Last night I finally stumped up for 25' of Saville Cupro Nickel 3/16" brake pipe, 30 (10 of each) brass metric and UNF Male and female unions. and 50 "P" clips all for just under £52. That was eBay purchase. I am told Saville is a British, made in England brand. It met some various specs albeit the BS quoted is to do with cleanliness! 

 

Be seing you

M

[JP]

#7 - thank you.  I'll give the Rimmer ones a go.

Could anyone help with the specific details of the Sierra rear calipers so I can hunt around for a supplier please.

Also, I'd like to replace all 4 discs.  Are they a Caterham specific part or can they be sourced elsewhere?