Replace a live axle with de Deon

[davidball]

Is it possible to replace the live axle on a 1987 Caterham with de Deon? I live in Belgium and some of the cobbled roads can loosen teeth. Can it be done? Is it a big job? Is it worth doing or can I improve the present bog standard setup?

[Pat H]

Rather a big job.

Would need lots of chassis tubes rearranging.

More cost effective to buy a De Dion car than try to chop about a live axle car.

[davidball]

Ok. Thanks.

[Noger]

As alternative you could look at replacing it with a Ford english axle. The chassis mods for the de dion would cost an awful lot.

Or perhaps change tyres or dampers. On ledas and a021s i found my LA car was a little more forgiving. Still not brilliant however.

[Pat H]

Noger said:

As alternative you could look at replacing it with a Ford english axle.

Presumably the Ford axle is lighter, less unsprung weight etc?

[OJ]

Actually, the Ford Axle is heavier... just less likely to part company with its wheels!

[Noger]

De Dion > English > Ital in weight terms I think.

[Red Seven]

Replacing the Ital axle with an English axle will make the ride worse due to the increase in unsprung weight!
Exactly the opposite of what David is looking for.

[davidball]

Ok people. It is all much too complicated for me.
Thanks for all the info and suggestions but I think I will leave well alone.

[Fat Arnie]

The original DeDion chassis is a live axle chassis modified (through the addition of a few bushed outriggers) to hold the Sierra diff. It's a complete lash up designed by that wielder of the hammer Reg Price. Needless to say the lack of any decent planning and calculations in the design is the primary cause of the many failed chassis.

A post 96 chassis is the only chassis which will handle 250+bhp (or possibly a lot less) without the flex causing the diff to break free.

If your live axle chassis is not delivering good ride comfort, look at replacing the dampers and springs with better quality units than the std issue steel Spax units found on the older cars. You really need a 2 way adjustable dmaper and helper springs to get things right.

You will need to calculate the spring lengths to accooplish this, which is a complex calculation. I has an excel sheet if you email me which will help you.