live axle a frame bush
Discussion
I have had a spherical (rose) joint fitted to my 'A' frame from the time that Caterham first introduced the option - probably early to mid 1980's. I am now on my second joint and the car has done over 100000 miles.
To date no problems elsewhere and still going strong.
Reason I changed was that I was changing the rubbers every 1000 miles and on one Swiss trip 3 times! (oily cross flow)
To date no problems elsewhere and still going strong.
Reason I changed was that I was changing the rubbers every 1000 miles and on one Swiss trip 3 times! (oily cross flow)
northernmonkeybo said:
Same issue on my fireblade! - I have a 'self lubricating' live axle - I have a spherical bearing kit jobby on back order - Been waiting months! - Please let me know if you are able to source the parts!
Hi, great to hear of another blade owner, we are a rare breed in caterham circles. Re the a frame, i saw the spherical bits were on back order so just put in a std rubber bush from redline.Edited by 
boy on Monday 16th September 21:10
boy on Monday 16th September 21:10... and 10 mins later you'll need another one 
Ok may be not. But here are a few arguments for the rose joint from my perspective, in addition to durability it centers the axle much more rigidly. This is not where you want any softness at all, as the bush wears out the live-axle becomes very alive indeed. And when there's roll on the body, the roll joint gives no resistance, being a sphere it can operate at an angle, while the rubber would be constantly compressed and distorted. And if the lateral load is transfered elsewhere, that would be the other 2 bushes on the A-frame, and they don't have to twist, just center the frame. Much easier task to deal with.
Anyway, rosejoint works brilliantly for me, and I would recommend it to everyone, but keep in mind that you will have to enlarge the hole on the A-frame and make groves for the locking springs.
Ok may be not. But here are a few arguments for the rose joint from my perspective, in addition to durability it centers the axle much more rigidly. This is not where you want any softness at all, as the bush wears out the live-axle becomes very alive indeed. And when there's roll on the body, the roll joint gives no resistance, being a sphere it can operate at an angle, while the rubber would be constantly compressed and distorted. And if the lateral load is transfered elsewhere, that would be the other 2 bushes on the A-frame, and they don't have to twist, just center the frame. Much easier task to deal with.
Anyway, rosejoint works brilliantly for me, and I would recommend it to everyone, but keep in mind that you will have to enlarge the hole on the A-frame and make groves for the locking springs.
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