BigCol

I used, as per Caterham and available via them, Terostat 9220. At the time Derek advised me thus: "We do use Terostat to bond the wings, when using it make sure you take the powder coating off the wing stays and rough up under the wing. Don't use too much to initially bond the wing. When it has stuck put some more on in the infill's using a wet gloved finger to smooth it down."

Has anyone an unwanted pair of OEM half-doors for an SV (if relevant, 2013), that I could purchase from them? (or even a pair they do want but would be prepared to relinquish for some money!) Edited by - BigCol on 4 Sep 2013 21:02:20

I bonded my wings (looks so much neater) Tom and my initial IVA fail was for other reasons - don't worry!

please...!

Thanks all... The query arose after my first post-run-in journey to Silverstone ahead of the F1 factory tour was briefly curtailed after my throttle pedal fell off on the A43. I was able to refit it and (literally) get it hand-tight so I could continue. When I recounted this incident later in the day, one commented with abject astonishment "you drive a 7 and don't carry any tools?" 😳 Whilst I don't want any excess weight (or to rob any already limited luggage space), I do feel a bit vulnerable and it seems sensible to have the necessary to be able to tackle simple fixes. ... and here's the usual reminder about where to store all of this. Jonathan Don't worry, I'm already on the list for some from the next batch, Jonathan! As a slight aside, which roadside assistance organisations are felt to offer the best service/value?

As a newbie to 7ing, I'd be interested to know what more-experienced people keep in their cars and what you'd recommend I should, be they for convenience, comfort, emergencies or whatever. eg half hood, tunnel bag, mobile phone holder, simple tool kit (what exactly?), ear plugs, tyre weld, cable ties, duct tape, AA membership card etc...

on the test drive the technician said he was confident that the clutch was OK based on his inspection of it prior to me arriving (and before you ask, no I don't know exactly how he came to that conclusion!) and felt the awkwardness of selecting gears was down to the 'box... we'll see... if I've the same issues with a new gearbox, then his diagnosis might have been wide of the mark!

Just back from Caterham with the car... Went for a protracted drive with a technician, Mark, as passenger and whilst I only had one noisy/embarrassing gearchange, it was confirmed that I'm not a numpty when it comes to changing gears 😳 and that 1st/2nd are very much stiffer and harder to select than 3rd, 4th or 5th. Mark said he'd checked the clutch ahead of my visit (had emailed the thoughts of Blatchat in advance!) and it was fine. He also reckoned that this sort of thing is more usually seen on race cars and more often manifests itself on 3rd and 4th gears rather than 1st and 2nd. Either way he says the 'box isn't right and has got James to agree that they'll sort me a new gearbox; though the timescales for this are unknown and possibly protracted. So am happy that we have a solution (even if it will be another two half-days to get the car to/from Dartford or a day if I can wait whilst its replaced). Thanks to all for their thoughts!

funny you should say that... given this post I made during the build: Sanity Check but what needs doing to fix it...?

Have only changed gear with the 'box in the car and with its lid on...

I commented about the 'box early doors and it was suggested that I wait and have them look at it at the first service. The marker about my disquiet has been both verbal and in writing via email. James at Caterham confirmed it is appropriately noted (though they say nothing's wrong with the gearbox!) and offered for me to go out with a technician tomorrow when I collect the car (as there's also an annoying rattle that they couldn't hear too!) I adjusted the clutch stop, so with the pedal fully down and car in gear, it goes nowhere... is that the incorrect way to set it? Would happily wind it back a bit but what might I be straining as a result?

My 7 is currently having its 1000 mile service at Caterham In Dartford. I asked them in addition to look at the gearbox as often I crunch the change from 1st to 2nd and frequently it is awkward to get into 1st and/or reverse, requiring a double-declutch. Whilst I didn't get a TADTS response, I was told "The technician was happy with its operation during road test. It may be technique and it may ease for you with use. If you should have continued problems we would be happy to revaluate at a later date." I know I often lack finesse when driving but don't think the frequency with which I get the change wrong is down to me, especially when changes between other gears are fine. This is by far the worst gear change of the 20+ (most new) cars I have had. Any thoughts as to the cause and/or how I should handle it when I see the people at Caterham tomorrow? I am told it is a brand new, standard 5-speed MCP 'box.

me (and the Mrs) - off the Henry Moore thingy at Perry Green

two for me too please Jonathan... (so 11 to go to reach the target of 30)

Quoting Boris: The SV option is good ... because you can get more in. I went for a Supersport 140 SV so I could get more in... ME! 😳 An S3 was far too tight a fit. Edited by - BigCol on 26 Jun 2013 09:37:11

no joy with the Bulk Buy then, Tom...? If anyone else has an unwanted one, let me know please...

Interestingly, the chap from VOSA nearly failed my SV on its IVA as the wiper blades sweep patterns didn't overlap enough leaving an unacceptable unswept section in the centre of the screen. He was OK with me removing/refitting the arms so the unswept section was much smaller but both of us commented that longer blades would have meant no issues.

me by me...! (in a shop window on my first road-legal, registered, drive today!)

it's just got worse (or better)... just opened a magnum and Le Patron has brought some freebie nibbles..! probably too late for you (and maybe dependent on the seats) but I put hex head bolt in the rear of the runners so they wouldn''t rotate and became captive and so dead easy to fit... both seats were in, and bolted-up, in under an hour - and that included a cup of tea too!

apologies for the slack response... have spent a afternoon outside a bar in Avignon (hic!) and only just signed on their wifi. I double-qualifed Derek when he said "don't worry, go for it" to confirm Caterham would swap the engine if I trashed it... but can understand why you'd rather have him say so rather than some random chap on a forum! (but you'll be fine... trust me! )

think so... at least it wasn't the gauge or the cable... and the gauge worked after the PBC and not before. The chaps at Caterham had total faith in the engine and after lots of tries and swapping bits, said (more politely) JFDI! I turned the engine over so much trying to get pressure that I all but flattened the battery which meant the starter wouldn't engage properly such that I thought I might have trashed that. Give it a minute or so then reconnect the inertia switch and fire it up!

as per other post - it passed its retest! the more aggressive front pads seemed to do the trick (with an hour plus drive to the test centre to bed them in) had a conversation with the chief tester there - and the topic of steering wheels came up and he said that he knew I'd be swapping over to my nice quick-release wheel as soon as I got home but as long as the car is presented satisfactorily, that's what counts! Edited by - BigCol on 5 Jun 2013 18:37:21

I must admit to greatly enjoying passing two police cars that had tugged someone in my un-number-plated car on the way back from my IVA failure the other day... was tempting deliberately to pass the speed cameras faster than I should too! 😳

Thanks all... I decided I could cope with a bit of pain and a failure (or two...) for the £420 saving I'd make by presenting the car myself. Also, psychologically, having built the car I didn't want to have someone else do a major part of what's necessary in putting it on the road, if you see what I mean. Whatever happens on Wednesday, the car is going back to Dartford on Friday for Caterham to fit a replacement gearbox (even though the gear knob goes up to 5, there are are only four forward gears in it!), so if the worst comes to the worst, I'll throw the brakes issue at them too! I too would be interested in the pass/fail ratio and exactly how cosy the Caterham/Gillingham VOSA relationship is but, to be fair, that'll be part of the value of the £420 presentation fee!

My car failed its IVA this week The main reason (amongst some other astonishingly pedantic ones that according to Caterham "Gillingham VOSA don't worry about") was that the rear brakes lock their wheels ahead of the front ones. The tester didn't think it was due to the brakes not having bedded-in but something more inherent in the design/build. As the brake lines etc are fitted by Caterham and they re-bled the brakes at the PBC, I can't see it's done to the build! Anyone know of this sort of thing previously and/or got any other suggestions as to cause and a cure? Mr VOSA suggested using either more aggressive pads on the front (or less aggressive one on the back). Caterham have sent me some new front pads which I've fitted. (Minitex ones to replace the AP Ones initially supplied I think) The retest is on Wednesday. If relevant, the car's a 140 Supersport SV with standard brakes.