classic1952

Link to other thread See my comments. Mine is a 2008 kit registered March 2009 with 3500 miles. Supposedly the iffy calipers were only around late 2008/early 2009, but mine has had 3 replacements, 2 in 2010 and one late 2012, which is now leaking again. They all appear to be badly reconditioned old Sierra calipers. Let me know how you go on with Caterham. My thread has gone strangely quiet although hundreds of members have viewed it.

Alloy wheel Bar Here it is, or very similar. That is one very soft and pliable tyre! I guess it was on and off many times in the making of the video! A new, lowish profile tyre is going to require far more effort than that.

Link to eBay tyre changer Hope you are strong! I used similar in the late 60s and the effort required is substantial!

To update his, the fault appears to relate to the handbrake. None of the suggested tests showed up any leakage but leaving the handbrake fully on overnight has produced a puddle of brake fluid. The worrying part is that this is filthy. I cleaned everything before hand, the fluid was all changed less than 200 miles ago and the caliper was "new". I think this stems from a failure to properly recondition the handbrake part of the caliper, relying solely on the replacement of the main seals. Has anyone else had this problem? I rarely use the handbrake but first noticed the leak when I applied it to change the front wheels a few days ago.

Thanks! I was looking above the reply box!

Which little speech bubble?

New calipers for my new build were far from new....had to send back due appalling recon state... It is quite clear that there is no such thing as a new Sierra caliper, they are all supposedly reconditioned, or to use the preferred term, remanufactured. I dismantled the first caliper I changed at 3000 miles and 3 years and the handbrake mechanism contained at least 100,000 miles of road filth, so the quality is lousy. All this begs the question, how does a Caterham ever get registered as new? I was under the impression you were only allowed one major reconditioned component but at the very least the brakes, diff and gearbox must be recons as they have been out of production by Ford for years.

I suspect the handbrake mechanism. I have cleaned everything off as best I can and placed clean paper underneath to try to find the exact location of the leak. Unfortunately brake fluid flows everywhere, especially when the car has been driven at any speed, so it makes a hell of mess. Needless to say I have not driven the car since finding yet another leak, although the pedal and stopping power are fine, another reason why I think it is coming out when the handbrake is engaged. The quality of Caterham parts is beginning to undermine my confidence in the car - 3 leaky calipers despite Caterham's claim that this was an isolated problem in late 2008/early 2009. Rather than chasing a free replacement from Caterham I intend to source a caliper from elsewhere, if only to prove a point. If the calipers are remanufactured properly they should last for years without the need for further attention and at £108 a throw plus postage from Caterham I do not think this is good enough. It does not stop at the cost of the caliper either. Both my rear wheels need powder coating as the brake fluid has destroyed the finish.

Difficult to tell but definitely not the bleed nipple or brake pipe union. I suspect the handbrake mechanism as it shows up most after the handbrake has been fully applied for a period.

Following on from this, I am interested to know how many people are still having rear caliper problems. My car had 2 new calipers before I bought it, due to leaks, and I have replaced one of those because it was leaking fluid. That is now leaking again after less than 200 miles. All calipers came from Caterham at about twice the price of remanufactured calipers elsewhere. Comments would be welcome.

Sorted I think. Standard Sierra as far as I can work out. Talking to Bigg Red and others. Thanks everyone.

And a decent price too. Unfortunately I only need the nearside.

Have just contacted Bigg Red. They do not know which caliper the Caterham uses! I know it is Sierra but there were many models!

I will give Big Red a try, but it is mainly the source of the original caliper I am after, as there are several reconditioners local to me.

After 3 replacement rear calipers due to fluid leaks I am looking elsewhere from Caterham for replacements. The trouble is there seem to be mixed opinions as to their origins, standard Sierra, XR4X4 or Granada/Scorpion. Does anyone have the definitive answer on this as most of these can be had for £50 rather than the Caterham price of £120? Several sites suggest all Sierra/Granada calipers are the same except Cosworth models but others contradict this.

Following on from this I had a look on Dupont's website which appears to give a revised paint mix from 2009 http://cdb.dupontrefinish.info/en/Formula.mvc/539785@!YELLOW@!LOTUS%20SUPER%207@!O?displayType=grid&powerSearchKeys=caterham%20yellow&databaseType=official This seems to support the idea that the colour may have changed subtly over the years as pigments disappeared and regulations changed.

This is what I am trying to establish. I am being offered parts in Caterham Yellow. My car is a 2008 car whilst some of these are unused parts intended for an earlier model but still in Caterham Yellow. I have seen various yellows, particularly on older cars, hence the question.

Can anyone tell me how long Caterham have been using the current "Caterham Yellow"? Thanks

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caterham-7-rubber-floor-mats-2-/171034555020?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27d274328c 3 hours or so to run

The 260 feels more direct and a bit heavier. I find my suede wheel is best at this size.

How much do you really want to spend? Have you tried getting this to stick round something as thin as a track rod?

When i get round to it, I may get some of these - they may be a solution for you. I would have some myself but £6 postage is totally OTT!

Note to self to flog the old wheels and the ZV3s and get some decent tyres!

I was on CR322s on 13" wheels before and was not impressed by the grip. The ZV3s came nearly new with the wheels so I will have a bit of fun with them before I change to something more grippy.

"ZV3 ditch finders" This is the first time I have heard this term! Have just switched to some 14" Minators fitted with these and they seem OK. I would welcome comments!!