Prospective Caterham Builder

[jezzaaa]

Hi All,

I've been wanting to do a Caterham build for decades, and never had the facilities/money to do it...until now. I'm thinking 360-S...in fairly standard trim, except for paint and stripes...and maybe a few fripperies.

So ... I see the tool kit that Caterham can supply is £600. Thing is, I've already got a comprehensive tool kit, torque wrench etc. So the special tools (that you don't normally have) ... what are they?

Thanks all,

J.

[CharlesElliott]

No, there is nothing special in the toolkit. There might be one or two things you don't have (like a 41mm socket) but you can pick those up easily enough.

[jezzaaa]

CharlesElliott said:

No, there is nothing special in the toolkit. There might be one or two things you don't have (like a 41mm socket) but you can pick those up easily enough.

Thanks Charles...appreciated.

J.

[DCL]

Don't by their tool kit unless you like that sort of thing. It only needs basic tools and perhaps a few less common size sockets and Imperial tools. You can buy or borrow them as you go. IMHO the only thing to buy upfront of delivery would be axle stands, or whatever you choose to support the chassis on

[stunt.monkey]

Just finished my build without the tool kit.

I had a basic set of tools and found I only had to buy the following specific tools:

Imperial spanners
Pop rivet gun
Wobble bars for some tough to access bolts
I needed a smaller torque wrench in addition to the one I had for lower torques and hard to access areas
The hub nuts are 42mm now not 41mm - 42mm sockets, with 3/4 inch drive rather than 1 inch, I found hard to find at short notice
3/8 Inch hex driver for some of the engine mount bolts
Engine leveller

You can hire engine hoists, but I bought one as it works out not much more expensive if you factor in all of the cost and hassle

Edited by stunt.monkey on Saturday 12th February 14:47

[jezzaaa]

Thanks chaps...very good to know. I would also rather invest in wheeled axle stands. Good call

[jezzaaa]

stunt.monkey said:

Just finished my build without the tool kit.

I had a basic set of tools and found I only had to buy the following specific tools:

Imperial spanners
Pop rivet gun
Wobble bars for some tough to access bolts
I needed a smaller torque wrench in addition to the one I had for lower torques and hard to access areas
The hub nuts are 42mm now not 41mm - 42mm sockets, with 3/4 inch drive rather than 1 inch, I found hard to find at short notice
3/8 Inch hex driver for some of the engine mount bolts
Engine leveller

You can hire engine hoists, but I bought one as it works out not much more expensive if you factor in all of the cost and hassle

Edited by stunt.monkey on Saturday 12th February 14:47

Brill, thanks SM

[Paynewright]

There are a few tools I modified for use on the seven. I have a cut down allan key for the gearbox and diff filler plugs. Also have a socket with the chamfered leading edge ground off to use on the thin headed bolts for the FIA bar / rear discs (to get better engagement). My car is a ‘98 chassis with caterham 6sp box and sierra diff.

You may not need these for the latest kits but keep in mind if it makes life easier. Halfords sell lots of individual sockets / spanners in their professional range if you need a specific item

[jezzaaa]

Paynewright said:

There are a few tools I modified for use on the seven. I have a cut down allan key for the gearbox and diff filler plugs. Also have a socket with the chamfered leading edge ground off to use on the thin headed bolts for the FIA bar / rear discs (to get better engagement). My car is a ‘98 chassis with caterham 6sp box and sierra diff.

You may not need these for the latest kits but keep in mind if it makes life easier. Halfords sell lots of individual sockets / spanners in their professional range if you need a specific item

Thanks mate.

[lowndes]

Imperial allen keys, the new design steering UJ needs a 7/32” allen key in the 5/16” caphead.
A comprehensive set of pin punches to help line things up.
A dolly made of ply and casters is handy to shift the engine around until you are ready to install.
Once you have wired the indicator pods and headlights you may finish up with unequal length wires. An Econoseal crimper can help tidy things up. Have a practice on something non-essential first, there is a knack to making neat connectors.

[BertBert]

That's astonishing that the 2022 caterham has Imperial fittings! I'm trying to get rid of a few metric fittings on my 94 caterham!