Just collected my Caterham (1.6 Sigma 140) - Some Questions!

[framerateuk]

I've just collected a Black 09 Roadsport 140. It's got all the toys (quad piston calipers, LSD, 6 speed box, lowered floors). It's fantastic and I've loved driving it this weekend, but I have a few questions



1. Seat runners
The seat will need to be moved quite a lot. I'm not exactly tall, but my other half is only 5ft 4 and she's struggling to reach the pedals, so the seat will need to be able to move freely whenever we switch drivers! All the Caterhams I've seen/driven seem to have problems with the seat runners not moving properly - this is also the case with mine! Any ideas on a fix? Are they better seat runners to buy? Should I just buy the standard Caterham ones and keep them clean?

2. Brake pads
I've got the quad piston caliper upgrade fitted, which pads do I need? They look fairly thin at the moment and I'll probably get a spare set over the winter.

Thanks in advance for any help!
Andy

Edited by framerateuk on Monday 10th September 10:36

[Nerra]

Congratulations! I would use this as a perfect excuse to not let the other half drive it

What makes you think your seat runners are not standard caterham ones? I presume mine were and they were also a bit of pain to get moving. It was almost impossible to move the seat without actually sitting in the seat and using your weight to jerk it forward or back. You could take them out and grease them up which will help but they are fairly stiff by design.

[CharlesElliott]

The issue with the runners tends to primarily be warping. If you loosen off the mounting bolts underneath the car, you will probably find they will work. Trick is to then open up/pack the holes so that you can bolt the runners down straight without and warping. Keeping them clean is also vital! I'm not aware of any other runners, but I guess there will be some somewhere.

[framerateuk]

Thanks for the replies both!

Sorry, I didn't explain that too well. I have the standard runners at the moment, and was considering buying new ones to get them working. I was just wondering if there were any alternatives to the Caterham ones.

I'll get them removed during the week and see if I can get them moving again. Out of curiosity, how far can the seat go forward? It's moved barely an inch so far!

She's dying to drive it and I'm quite looking forward to getting her on track too. She's very good in a go kart so I'm sure she'll more over to the Caterham without any trouble!

Also, updated first post with pic

[dino ferrana]

Congratulations on the purchase! There are three positions available on the pedal box and you might find that getting them moved to the position closest to the seat will help a lot. Also clean the runners and remove grit etc. The runners are right on the floor, so do tend to get a lot of rubbish in them and they don't get moved often if only one person drives the car.

[framerateuk]

Brilliant. Getting into the pedal box was next on my agenda

Is so refreshing having a car I can actually make changes to. My road car, A Megane 250 makes even the smallest changes hard work, while the Caterham is so accessible!

[Smollet]

I've got Mintex 1144 pads on my 7. Seems a fairly agreed useful update. It may have them already so check.

[kenno78]

You might struggle with getting the leather seats to very far forward. The seat base hits the cross member in the cockpit. Get yer head down there. You'll see what I mean.

[Blackpuddin]

Looks great in black with those wheels.

[framerateuk]

I know what you mean Kenno. I had a look there last night. I'm far back from there at the moment, the seat won't budge any further!

[ewenm]

framerateuk said:

I know what you mean Kenno. I had a look there last night. I'm far back from there at the moment, the seat won't budge any further!

As someone said above, I've found you do need to be sat in the seat and use your bodyweight to shift the seat. I can't budge mine if I'm not in the car.

[framerateuk]

Yeah tried that and it won't budge! It took two of (one in the seat and one outside pushing) to get it to move forward about an inch, but it seems completely jammed now!

[ewenm]

Sounds like your dismantling-and-regreasing plan is good then.

[colindavies]

if you take out the seat pad,[its only placed there,just lift it out]and blowout the runners with an airline,then spray some gt85 or some oil and leave to soak.good luck.

[Tango7]

Getting the runners to operate smoothly is definitely a black art! Removing them from the car is pretty straightforward and then its a thorough clean. Not sure though if I'd use grease though as they will work well when cleaned but it can get a bit dirty down there and then the grease will clog up with grit and the runners will definitely be stuck!

[Tango7]

BTW your car looks great. I had a Sigma in black with a red nose band/stripe and people commented that it was one of the best combinations they had seen plus it was very visible by other road users.

[framerateuk]

Tango7 said:

BTW your car looks great. I had a Sigma in black with a red nose band/stripe and people commented that it was one of the best combinations they had seen plus it was very visible by other road users.

Thanks very much!

Funny you mention that, I was considering red stripes down the body before I picked it up! I quite like the all black look though so I'll be keeping it like this for a while at least!

Edited by framerateuk on Monday 10th September 19:17

[Gingerbread Man]

I recently took my two seats and runners out and off the car. When in your hands, they move quite easily, but become harder to use once bolted into the car, maybe the previous poster is right when he says that they are warped!? Could they be supported mid runner as mine were only fixed at the front and back, therefore leaving the middle to flex?

I silicone greased mine right up but when moving the seat forward for the girlfriend, it is a pain. Taking the seat squab out and holding the release with one hand and knocking it forward or back with the other seems to work. Or squeezing you hand over the rail and chassis support running under the squab.

I often find that with all these scrapped and resurfaced roads, that little bits of stone get in and jam between the floor well floor and the runners causing a binding which means you have to knock the jammed stone back out again. Pain.

If there were a better easy fit alternative, I would be tempted to alter the drivers side runners.

[trixical]

You may find the seat runners have got grit around them causing them to stiffen up, I know mine need cleaning around.
Re seat position I'm 5'4" & when I got mine the pedal box was in the middle position, I needed the seat as far forward as possible & I was still stretching a little, I've now moved the pedals to the rear most position & the seat has gone back about 2 notches to make it comfortable but still enough room for the seat to go back & accomodate someone taller if I ever let anyone else drive it

[framerateuk]

trixical said:

You may find the seat runners have got grit around them causing them to stiffen up, I know mine need cleaning around.
Re seat position I'm 5'4" & when I got mine the pedal box was in the middle position, I needed the seat as far forward as possible & I was still stretching a little, I've now moved the pedals to the rear most position & the seat has gone back about 2 notches to make it comfortable but still enough room for the seat to go back & accomodate someone taller if I ever let anyone else drive it

Great, that's just what i wanted to hear. I've not moved the pedals yet, but they seem quite far forward. Hopefully I'll get some time to tinker around in the next few weeks and find the right setup.