Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Frozen sway-bar slider

From: Thomas Coradeschi <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2024 23:28:17 +0000 (UTC) MailServer2416B19.10000-master-0-afff60057808

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I think heat is gunna be your friend. On Sep 16, 2024, at 2:02 PM, Philip =
Ethier <[email-masked]> wrote: Saturday I ran a small-lot autocross at=
 a dragstrip near Rock Falls Wisconsin. My Caterham was pushing a bit and =
I had trouble staying in the power band in second gear. Also, there is a l=
ight clicky sound when I drive over bumps on the street. The click is prob=
ably the rear sway-bar moving sideways and hitting the hose clamps that lo=
cate it in its aluminum-block brackets. First shot at quieting it is to pu=
t in a couple of cable ties between the clamps and the blocks. If that doe=
s not do it I will slit some PEX. Next, adjust the rear bar stiffer. Probl=
em: I have removed all the fasteners and the blocks will not move. The Hei=
m joints pulled out OK. I swung the bar down. It moves very easily. I shot=
 the blocks with Kroil, smacked them with a wrench and stopped for lunch. =
At least if I need to use heat, the part is far from anything to damage. h=
ttps://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier/54000198064 _________________________=
______________________ [email-masked] Donate: http://www.team.ne=
t/donate.html Suggested annual donation $12.96 Archive: http://www.team.ne=
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tp://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]
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<html><body><div><div>I think heat is gunna be your friend.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div>=
<blockquote type=3D"cite"><div>On Sep 16, 2024, at 2:02 PM, Philip Ethier =
&lt;[email-masked]&gt; wrote:<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><=
div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:mon=
ospace"><div>Saturday I ran a small-lot autocross at a dragstrip near Rock=
 Falls Wisconsin.&nbsp; My Caterham was pushing a bit and I had trouble st=
aying in the power band in second gear.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Also,=
 there is a light clicky sound when I drive over bumps on the street.<br><=
/div><div><br></div><div>The click is probably the rear sway-bar moving si=
deways and hitting the hose clamps that locate it in its aluminum-block br=
ackets.&nbsp; First shot at quieting it is to put in a couple of cable tie=
s between the clamps and the blocks.&nbsp; If that does not do it I will s=
lit some PEX.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Next, adjust the rear bar stiff=
er.&nbsp; Problem: &nbsp;I have removed all the fasteners and the blocks w=
ill not move.&nbsp; The Heim joints pulled out OK.&nbsp; I swung the bar d=
own.&nbsp; It moves very easily.&nbsp; I shot the blocks with Kroil, smack=
ed them with a wrench and stopped for lunch. At least if I need to use hea=
t, the part is far from anything to damage.<br></div></div><div class=3D"g=
mail_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace"><br></div><div class=3D"gmai=
l_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace"><a href=3D"https://www.flickr.c=
om/photos/pethier/54000198064" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer">https://www.fli=
ckr.com/photos/pethier/54000198064</a><br></div></div><div><div>__________=
_____________________________________<br></div><div><br></div><div><a href=
=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a><br></div=
><div>Donate: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/donate.html" rel=3D"noopener =
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_______________________________________________

[email-masked]
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.team.net/archive

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From: Philip Ethier <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 2024 23:23:00 -0500

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On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 6:36=E2=80=AFPM Thomas Coradeschi <[email-masked]=
m> wrote:

> I think heat is gunna be your friend.
>

I didn't have to resort to the blue flame.  The slider block finally came
loose with liberal application of Kroil and 1100-degree-F air from a heat
gun followed by a twist with a pair of vise-grips.  Ran a half-inch reamer
through the block. Polished all the corrosion off the sway bar with a
sandpaper strip and eery cloth.  Block is 20mm long.  Used one block to put
saw marks 20mm apart on each bar arm on both the inside and outside to
serve as guides to settings.  I set the bar two notches up (40mm plus saw
kerfs). Cat is much-more neutral now.  Front tires are sharing with each
other better with car rolling less.  Plate-style LSD is preventing
wheelspin.  This has transformed the handling, There is much more overall
grip.  I can provoke both understeer and oversteer now.  May try one more
notch at next weekend's autocrosses.  I did have to put a little more bend
in the endlinks to allow one more notch.   They are factory-bent to clear
the DeDion tube.

Took out the lateral drift on the brackets with slit PEX pieces held in
place with hose clamps. Clicky noise is gone.
Phil Ethier
1991 Caterham 1700 Super Sprint

>
> On Sep 16, 2024, at 2:02 PM, Philip Ethier <[email-masked]> wrote:
>
>
> Saturday I ran a small-lot autocross at a dragstrip near Rock Falls
> Wisconsin.  My Caterham was pushing a bit and I had trouble staying in th=
e
> power band in second gear.
>
> Also, there is a light clicky sound when I drive over bumps on the street=
.
>
> The click is probably the rear sway-bar moving sideways and hitting the
> hose clamps that locate it in its aluminum-block brackets.  First shot at
> quieting it is to put in a couple of cable ties between the clamps and th=
e
> blocks.  If that does not do it I will slit some PEX.
>
> Next, adjust the rear bar stiffer.  Problem:  I have removed all the
> fasteners and the blocks will not move.  The Heim joints pulled out OK.  =
I
> swung the bar down.  It moves very easily.  I shot the blocks with Kroil,
> smacked them with a wrench and stopped for lunch. At least if I need to u=
se
> heat, the part is far from anything to damage.
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier/54000198064
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation $12.96
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]
>
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $12.96
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]
>
>

--=20
Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota USA

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"fon=
t-family:monospace"><br></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 6:36=E2=80=AFPM Thoma=
s Coradeschi &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>=
&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px =
0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div=
><div><div>I think heat is gunna be your friend.=C2=A0</div></div></div></b=
lockquote><div><br></div><div><p>I didn&#39;t have to resort to the blue fl=
ame.=C2=A0 The slider block finally came loose with liberal application of =
Kroil and 1100-degree-F air from a heat gun followed by a twist with a pair=
 of vise-grips.=C2=A0 Ran a half-inch reamer through the block. Polished al=
l the corrosion off the sway bar with a sandpaper strip and eery cloth.=C2=
=A0 Block is 20mm long.=C2=A0 Used one block to put saw marks 20mm apart on=
 each bar arm on both the inside and outside to serve as guides to settings=
.=C2=A0 I set the bar two notches up (40mm plus saw kerfs). Cat is much-mor=
e neutral now.=C2=A0 Front tires are sharing with each other better with ca=
r rolling less.=C2=A0 Plate-style LSD is preventing wheelspin.=C2=A0 This h=
as transformed the handling, There is much more overall grip.=C2=A0 I can p=
rovoke both understeer and oversteer now.=C2=A0 May try one more notch at n=
ext weekend&#39;s autocrosses.=C2=A0 I did have to put a little more bend i=
n the endlinks to allow one more notch.=C2=A0 =C2=A0They are factory-bent t=
o clear the DeDion tube.</p><p>Took out the lateral drift on the brackets w=
ith slit PEX pieces held in place with hose clamps. Clicky noise is gone.</=
p></div><div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace">P=
hil Ethier</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace=
">1991 Caterham 1700 Super Sprint</div><br></div><div>=C2=A0</div><blockquo=
te class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px =
solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div><div><div><br></div><blockquo=
te type=3D"cite"><div>On Sep 16, 2024, at 2:02 PM, Philip Ethier &lt;<a hre=
f=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a>&gt=
; wrote:<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div =
style=3D"font-family:monospace"><div>Saturday I ran a small-lot autocross a=
t a dragstrip near Rock Falls Wisconsin.=C2=A0 My Caterham was pushing a bi=
t and I had trouble staying in the power band in second gear.<br></div><div=
><br></div><div>Also, there is a light clicky sound when I drive over bumps=
 on the street.<br></div><div><br></div><div>The click is probably the rear=
 sway-bar moving sideways and hitting the hose clamps that locate it in its=
 aluminum-block brackets.=C2=A0 First shot at quieting it is to put in a co=
uple of cable ties between the clamps and the blocks.=C2=A0 If that does no=
t do it I will slit some PEX.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Next, adjust the=
 rear bar stiffer.=C2=A0 Problem: =C2=A0I have removed all the fasteners an=
d the blocks will not move.=C2=A0 The Heim joints pulled out OK.=C2=A0 I sw=
ung the bar down.=C2=A0 It moves very easily.=C2=A0 I shot the blocks with =
Kroil, smacked them with a wrench and stopped for lunch. At least if I need=
 to use heat, the part is far from anything to damage.<br></div></div><div =
style=3D"font-family:monospace"><br></div><div style=3D"font-family:monospa=
ce"><a href=3D"https://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier/54000198064" rel=3D"no=
opener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier/=
54000198064</a><br></div></div><div><div>__________________________________=
_____________<br></div><div><br></div><div><a href=3D"mailto:Shop-talk@auto=
x.team.net" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a><br></div><div>Do=
nate: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/donate.html" rel=3D"noopener noreferre=
r" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br></div><div>Sugg=
ested annual donation  $12.96<br></div><div>Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.=
team.net/pipermail/shop-talk" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank"=
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et/archive" rel=3D"noopener noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.team=
.net/archive</a><br></div><div><br></div><div>Unsubscribe/Manage: <a href=
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tions/shop-talk/[email-masked]</a><br></div></div></div></blockquote></d=
iv></div>_______________________________________________<br>
<br>
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">Shop-talk@aut=
ox.team.net</a><br>
et=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/donate.html</a><br>
Archive: <a href=3D"http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk" rel=3D"norefer=
rer" target=3D"_blank">http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk</a> <a href=
=3D"http://autox.team.net/archive" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">htt=
p://autox.team.net/archive</a><br>
<br>
alk/[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.t=
eam.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div><br clear=3D"all"><div><br></div><span class=3D"gmail_si=
gnature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_signature"><d=
iv dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D=
"ltr"><div><span style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucid=
a,&quot;lucida grande&quot;,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:12.8px;bac=
kground-color:rgb(239,239,239)">Phil Ethier West Side Saint Paul Minnesota =
USA</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

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[email-masked]

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From: old dirtbeard <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2024 06:12:36 -0700

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Hi Phil,

Your Cat 1700 sounds like a wonderful car. I think they were about 135HP if
I recollect correctly. Do you think the LSD helps traction significantly?

I always thought that with under 150 BHP an LSD probably was not much of an
advantage, just additional maintenance, but it sounds like you think it is
beneficial.

I just rebuilt the rear axle and pumpkin on my '56 Lotus Eleven and decided
against an LSD at the time and you have me wondering whether I missed an
opportunity. I have a Climax FWE at only 110 BHP and the car only
weighs 950 lbs, so it is significantly less powerful and probably lighter
than your Seven. Just curious if you had yours with an open diff before
going LSD.

I'm not racing it currently, just doing the canyons here in SoCal with
"exuberance."

On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 9:30=E2=80=AFPM Philip Ethier <[email-masked]> =
wrote:

>
>
> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 6:36=E2=80=AFPM Thomas Coradeschi <tjcora@icloud.=
com>
> wrote:
> gun followed by a twist with a pair of vise-grips.  Ran a half-inch reame=
r
> sandpaper strip and eery cloth.  Block is 20mm long.  Used one block to p=
ut
> notch at next weekend's autocrosses.  I did have to put a little more ben=
d
>> Wisconsin.  My Caterham was pushing a bit and I had trouble staying in t=
he
>> Also, there is a light clicky sound when I drive over bumps on the stree=
t.
>> hose clamps that locate it in its aluminum-block brackets.  First shot a=
t
>> quieting it is to put in a couple of cable ties between the clamps and t=
he
 I
>> swung the bar down.  It moves very easily.  I shot the blocks with Kroil=
,
>> smacked them with a wrench and stopped for lunch. At least if I need to =
use
> --
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]
>
>

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Hi =
Phil,</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div=
><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small">Your Cat 1700 sound=
s like a wonderful car. I think they were about 135HP if I recollect correc=
tly. Do you think the LSD helps traction significantly?=C2=A0</div><div cla=
ss=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmai=
l_default" style=3D"font-size:small">I always thought that with under 150 B=
HP an LSD probably was not much of an advantage, just additional maintenanc=
e, but it sounds like you think it is beneficial.</div><div class=3D"gmail_=
default" style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" s=
tyle=3D"font-size:small">I just rebuilt the rear axle and pumpkin on my &#3=
9;56 Lotus Eleven and decided against an LSD at the time and you have me wo=
ndering whether I missed an opportunity. I have a Climax FWE at only 110 BH=
P and the car only weighs=C2=A0950 lbs, so it is significantly less powerfu=
l and probably lighter than your Seven. Just curious if you had yours with =
an open diff before going LSD.=C2=A0</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" styl=
e=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-=
size:small">I&#39;m not racing it currently, just doing the canyons=C2=A0he=
re in SoCal with &quot;exuberance.&quot;=C2=A0</div><img src=3D"cid:ii_m16g=
e8zy1" alt=3D"PXL_20240915_220640034.jpg" width=3D"562" height=3D"423"><img=
 src=3D"cid:ii_m16g9y5s0" alt=3D"PXL_20240915_215013737.jpg" width=3D"562" =
height=3D"423"><br></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" cl=
ass=3D"gmail_attr">On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 9:30=E2=80=AFPM Philip Ethier &l=
t;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<b=
r></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex=
;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr">=
<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:monospac=
e"><br></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D=
"gmail_attr">On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 6:36=E2=80=AFPM Thomas Coradeschi &lt;=
<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a=
>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px=
 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><di=
v><div><div>I think heat is gunna be your friend.=C2=A0</div></div></div></=
blockquote><div><br></div><div><p>I didn&#39;t have to resort to the blue f=
lame.=C2=A0 The slider block finally came loose with liberal application of=
 Kroil and 1100-degree-F air from a heat gun followed by a twist with a pai=
r of vise-grips.=C2=A0 Ran a half-inch reamer through the block. Polished a=
ll the corrosion off the sway bar with a sandpaper strip and eery cloth.=C2=
=A0 Block is 20mm long.=C2=A0 Used one block to put saw marks 20mm apart on=
 each bar arm on both the inside and outside to serve as guides to settings=
.=C2=A0 I set the bar two notches up (40mm plus saw kerfs). Cat is much-mor=
e neutral now.=C2=A0 Front tires are sharing with each other better with ca=
r rolling less.=C2=A0 Plate-style LSD is preventing wheelspin.=C2=A0 This h=
as transformed the handling, There is much more overall grip.=C2=A0 I can p=
rovoke both understeer and oversteer now.=C2=A0 May try one more notch at n=
ext weekend&#39;s autocrosses.=C2=A0 I did have to put a little more bend i=
n the endlinks to allow one more notch.=C2=A0 =C2=A0They are factory-bent t=
o clear the DeDion tube.</p><p>Took out the lateral drift on the brackets w=
ith slit PEX pieces held in place with hose clamps. Clicky noise is gone.</=
p></div><div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace">P=
hil Ethier</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace=
">1991 Caterham 1700 Super Sprint</div><br></div><div>=C2=A0</div><blockquo=
te class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px =
solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div><div><div><br></div><blockquo=
te type=3D"cite"><div>On Sep 16, 2024, at 2:02 PM, Philip Ethier &lt;<a hre=
f=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a>&gt=
; wrote:<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div =
style=3D"font-family:monospace"><div>Saturday I ran a small-lot autocross a=
t a dragstrip near Rock Falls Wisconsin.=C2=A0 My Caterham was pushing a bi=
t and I had trouble staying in the power band in second gear.<br></div><div=
_______________________________________________<br>
alk/[email-masked]" rel=3D"noreferrer" target=3D"_blank">http://autox.=
team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/[email-masked]</a><br>
<br>
</blockquote></div>

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[email-masked]

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From: Philip Ethier <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 17 Sep 2024 10:49:39 -0500

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On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 8:12=E2=80=AFAM old dirtbeard <[email-masked]>=
 wrote:

> Hi Phil,
>
> Your Cat 1700 sounds like a wonderful car. I think they were about 135HP
> if I recollect correctly.
>

You are correct, sir!

Had it on the scales last Thursday.  1340 pounds.  My previous Caterham was
1275.  I could not figure out why, but I think it is largely due to the
rollbar.  This one has a REAL rollbar, and I think the other one was a joke=
.

Do you think the LSD helps traction significantly?

Dunno.  Never drove this car without it.

>
> I always thought that with under 150 BHP an LSD probably was not much of
> an advantage, just additional maintenance, but it sounds like you think i=
t
> is beneficial.
>
> I just rebuilt the rear axle and pumpkin on my '56 Lotus Eleven and
> decided against an LSD at the time and you have me wondering whether I
> missed an opportunity. I have a Climax FWE at only 110 BHP and the car on=
ly
> than your Seven. Just curious if you had yours with an open diff before

There was an open diff on my first Caterham and I did get wheelspin on
corner exits. Then I went overboard and put in 4.11 gears and a Quaiff
"TorSen".  That worked out fine.

Now that I have stiffened the rear swaybar, the LSD is more-important than
before, since by-definition a sway bar works by trying to pick up the
inside wheel.  This adds roll stiffness to the entire car and makes the
front stick better.  I had an adjustable serious rear sway bar on my MG
Midget.  I was always under there tinkering with it, walking a tightrope
between understeer and wheelspin since that car had an open diff.

I suspect that on a racetrack or canyon-carving, this Cat would not get
much added value with LSD, but in autocross corners, I am pretty sure the
LSD helps.  I always wished I had the TorSen in my Elise.  I had one in my
Miata, and I am sure that it helped.

I have no idea why the original owner specified LSD, but I am glad he did.
On the other hand, I cursed whomever put a plate-type LSD in my Europa, as
it made the car push terribly in autocrosses where the traction was not
first-rate.  I put in a bottle of Slick-50 Man Tran and that reduced the
breakaway torque from 90 to 20, which helped a lot.  Since there is more
weight on the front wheels of the Cat than on a Europa, I don't expect that
I will be wishing I had a TorSen.

> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 9:30=E2=80=AFPM Philip Ethier <[email-masked]=
> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 6:36=E2=80=AFPM Thomas Coradeschi <tjcora@icloud=
.com>
>> I didn't have to resort to the blue flame.  The slider block finally cam=
e
>> loose with liberal application of Kroil and 1100-degree-F air from a hea=
t
>> gun followed by a twist with a pair of vise-grips.  Ran a half-inch ream=
er
>> sandpaper strip and eery cloth.  Block is 20mm long.  Used one block to =
put
>> serve as guides to settings.  I set the bar two notches up (40mm plus sa=
w
>> wheelspin.  This has transformed the handling, There is much more overal=
l
>> grip.  I can provoke both understeer and oversteer now.  May try one mor=
e
>> notch at next weekend's autocrosses.  I did have to put a little more be=
nd
>> in the endlinks to allow one more notch.   They are factory-bent to clea=
r
>>> Wisconsin.  My Caterham was pushing a bit and I had trouble staying in =
the
>>> Also, there is a light clicky sound when I drive over bumps on the
>>> street.
>>>
>>> hose clamps that locate it in its aluminum-block brackets.  First shot =
at
>>> quieting it is to put in a couple of cable ties between the clamps and =
the
>>> fasteners and the blocks will not move.  The Heim joints pulled out OK.=
  I
>>> swung the bar down.  It moves very easily.  I shot the blocks with Kroi=
l,
>>> smacked them with a wrench and stopped for lunch. At least if I need to=
 use
>>> https://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier/54000198064

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Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"fon=
t-family:monospace"><br></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=
=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 8:12=E2=80=AFAM old d=
irtbeard &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]">[email-masked]</a>=
&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px =
0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div=
 dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-size:small">Hi Phil,</div><div style=3D"fon=
t-size:small"><br></div><div style=3D"font-size:small">Your Cat 1700 sounds=
 like a wonderful car. I think they were about 135HP if I recollect correct=
ly.</div></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div><div class=3D"gmail_default=
" style=3D"font-family:monospace">You are correct, sir!</div><div class=3D"=
gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace"><br></div><div class=3D"gmai=
l_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace">Had it on the scales last Thursd=
ay.=C2=A0 1340 pounds.=C2=A0 My previous Caterham was 1275.=C2=A0 I could n=
ot figure out why, but I think it is largely due to the rollbar.=C2=A0 This=
 one has a REAL rollbar, and I think the other one was a joke.</div></div><=
div><br></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px=
 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D=
"ltr"><div style=3D"font-size:small"> Do you think the LSD helps traction s=
ignificantly?=C2=A0</div></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div><div class=
=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace">Dunno.=C2=A0 Never drove=
 this car without it.</div></div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D=
"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-le=
ft:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-size:small"><br></div><div styl=
e=3D"font-size:small">I always thought that with under 150 BHP an LSD proba=
bly was not much of an advantage, just additional maintenance, but it sound=
s like you think it is beneficial.</div><div style=3D"font-size:small"><br>=
</div><div style=3D"font-size:small">I just rebuilt the rear axle and pumpk=
in on my &#39;56 Lotus Eleven and decided against an LSD at the time and yo=
u have me wondering whether I missed an opportunity. I have a Climax FWE at=
 only 110 BHP and the car only weighs=C2=A0950 lbs, so it is significantly =
less powerful and probably lighter than your Seven. Just curious if you had=
 yours with an open diff before going LSD.</div></div></blockquote><div><br=
></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:monospace">There w=
as an open diff on my first Caterham and I did get wheelspin=C2=A0on corner=
 exits. Then I went overboard and put in 4.11 gears and a Quaiff &quot;TorS=
en&quot;.=C2=A0 That worked out fine.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" sty=
le=3D"font-family:monospace"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=
=3D"font-family:monospace">Now that I have stiffened the rear swaybar, the =
LSD is more-important than before, since by-definition a sway bar works by =
trying to pick up the inside wheel.=C2=A0 This adds roll stiffness to the e=
ntire car and makes the front stick better.=C2=A0 I had an adjustable serio=
us rear sway bar on my MG Midget.=C2=A0 I was always under there tinkering =
with it, walking a tightrope between understeer and wheelspin since that ca=
r had an open diff.</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:=
monospace"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:mono=
space">I suspect that on a racetrack or canyon-carving, this Cat would not =
get much added value with LSD, but in autocross corners, I am pretty sure t=
he LSD helps.=C2=A0 I always wished I had the TorSen in my Elise.=C2=A0 I h=
ad one in my Miata, and I am sure that it helped.</div><div class=3D"gmail_=
default" style=3D"font-family:monospace"><br></div><div class=3D"gmail_defa=
ult" style=3D"font-family:monospace">I have no idea why the original owner =
specified LSD, but I am glad he did.=C2=A0 On the other hand, I cursed whom=
ever put a plate-type LSD in my Europa, as it made the car push terribly in=
 autocrosses where the traction was not first-rate.=C2=A0 I put in a bottle=
 of Slick-50 Man Tran and that reduced the breakaway torque from 90 to 20, =
which helped a lot.=C2=A0 Since there is more weight on the front wheels of=
 the Cat than on a Europa, I don&#39;t expect that I will be wishing I had =
a TorSen.</div><blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0p=
x 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=
=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"font-size:small">=C2=A0</div><div style=3D"font-size=
:small"><br></div><div style=3D"font-size:small">I&#39;m not racing it curr=
ently, just doing the canyons=C2=A0here in SoCal with &quot;exuberance.&quo=
t;=C2=A0</div><img src=3D"cid:ii_m16ge8zy1" alt=3D"PXL_20240915_220640034.j=
pg" width=3D"562" height=3D"423"><img src=3D"cid:ii_m16g9y5s0" alt=3D"PXL_2=
0240915_215013737.jpg" width=3D"562" height=3D"423"><br></div><br><div clas=
s=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Mon, Sep 16, 202=
4 at 9:30=E2=80=AFPM Philip Ethier &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]=
" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote =
class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px sol=
id rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div dir=3D"ltr"><di=
v style=3D"font-family:monospace"><br></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_q=
uote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_attr">On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 6:36=E2=
=80=AFPM Thomas Coradeschi &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:[email-masked]" target=
=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div><blockquote class=3D"=
gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(20=
4,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div><div><div>I think heat is gunna be your f=
riend.=C2=A0</div></div></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div><p>I didn&#3=
9;t have to resort to the blue flame.=C2=A0 The slider block finally came l=
oose with liberal application of Kroil and 1100-degree-F air from a heat gu=
n followed by a twist with a pair of vise-grips.=C2=A0 Ran a half-inch ream=
er through the block. Polished all the corrosion off the sway bar with a sa=
ndpaper strip and eery cloth.=C2=A0 Block is 20mm long.=C2=A0 Used one bloc=
k to put saw marks 20mm apart on each bar arm on both the inside and outsid=
e to serve as guides to settings.=C2=A0 I set the bar two notches up (40mm =
plus saw kerfs). Cat is much-more neutral now.=C2=A0 Front tires are sharin=
g with each other better with car rolling less.=C2=A0 Plate-style LSD is pr=
eventing wheelspin.=C2=A0 This has transformed the handling, There is much =
more overall grip.=C2=A0 I can provoke both understeer and oversteer now.=
=C2=A0 May try one more notch at next weekend&#39;s autocrosses.=C2=A0 I di=
d have to put a little more bend in the endlinks to allow one more notch.=
=C2=A0 =C2=A0They are factory-bent to clear the DeDion tube.</p><p>Took out=
 the lateral drift on the brackets with slit PEX pieces held in place with =
hose clamps. Clicky noise is gone.</p></div><div><div style=3D"font-family:=
monospace">Phil Ethier</div><div style=3D"font-family:monospace">1991 Cater=
ham 1700 Super Sprint</div><br></div><div>=C2=A0</div><blockquote class=3D"=
gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(20=
4,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div><div><div><br></div><blockquote type=3D"c=
ite"><div>On Sep 16, 2024, at 2:02 PM, Philip Ethier &lt;<a href=3D"mailto:=
[email-masked]" target=3D"_blank">[email-masked]</a>&gt; wrote:<br>=
</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div style=3D"fon=
t-family:monospace"><div>Saturday I ran a small-lot autocross at a dragstri=
p near Rock Falls Wisconsin.=C2=A0 My Caterham was pushing a bit and I had =
trouble staying in the power band in second gear.<br></div><div><br></div><=
div>Also, there is a light clicky sound when I drive over bumps on the stre=
et.<br></div><div><br></div><div>The click is probably the rear sway-bar mo=
ving sideways and hitting the hose clamps that locate it in its aluminum-bl=
ock brackets.=C2=A0 First shot at quieting it is to put in a couple of cabl=
e ties between the clamps and the blocks.=C2=A0 If that does not do it I wi=
ll slit some PEX.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Next, adjust the rear bar st=
iffer.=C2=A0 Problem: =C2=A0I have removed all the fasteners and the blocks=
 will not move.=C2=A0 The Heim joints pulled out OK.=C2=A0 I swung the bar =
down.=C2=A0 It moves very easily.=C2=A0 I shot the blocks with Kroil, smack=
ed them with a wrench and stopped for lunch. At least if I need to use heat=
, the part is far from anything to damage.<br></div></div><div style=3D"fon=
t-family:monospace"><br></div><div style=3D"font-family:monospace"><a href=
=3D"https://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier/54000198064" rel=3D"noopener nore=
ferrer" target=3D"_blank">https://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier/54000198064=
</a></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></blockquote></div></div>
</blockquote></div></blockquote></div><div dir=3D"ltr" class=3D"gmail_signa=
ture"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><div dir=3D"ltr"><div><di=
v dir=3D"ltr"><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></di=
v></div>

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[email-masked]

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