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Quaife rose jointed lever
justy75 - 3/8/14 at 05:04 PM

Hi all,

Considering a Quaife rose jointed lever. Anybody running one of these? I understand that they buzz a lot but wondering what peoples general feedback is?

Also I am assuming that it will need bending backwards in order to get a suitable position for changing gear? I dont have access to a vice so would have to get an engineering firm to bend it properly. Any recommendations on how much degree bend is suitable?

Any feedback appreciated.

Thanks

rusty nuts - 3/8/14 at 06:41 PM

I take it you are using a type 9 gearbox? If that's the case save your money , it's possible to make a remote to move the gear lever backwards , mine moves the gear lever 5 inches , and converting t he gear lever to a quick shift took about 5 minutes , the total cost was £0.92 using a few bits of steel I had lying around

justy75 - 3/8/14 at 07:38 PM

Hi thanks for that but I already have a short shift, and I am just looking for an improvement on the overall set-up, particularly more suitable for track use.

In terms of position mine is pretty much perfect for me, and if I bought it backwards 5 inches it would foul the handbrake, so there is no point in moving it in that respect. But as I didn't build it I don't know whether there is a recognised angle for bending the lever on these type cars.

I don't mind spending what it takes to get things somewhere near perfect, so cost isn't the issue here, its purely that I feel that there is an improvement to be had.

Thanks

justy75 - 3/8/14 at 07:39 PM

Sorry Rusty, forgot to say yes it is a type 9.

Thanks

pre lit - 3/8/14 at 09:10 PM

Buy one for a caterham from quaife they are already bent

Dave Bailey - 3/8/14 at 09:37 PM

I like mine but you are right it does buzz a lot...

I guess people have successfully stopped this?

Dave B

ashg - 3/8/14 at 09:47 PM

If you want a better gear change abandon the type 9 box.

mcerd1 - 4/8/14 at 10:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by pre lit
Buy one for a caterham from quaife they are already bent

Quaife make 3 versions of the type 9 lever:

the long strait one - 12" long M12 thread, meant for something like a mk1/2 escort etc...
the short bent one - 8" long M12 thread, meant for sevens
and the caterham one - 8" long with 3/8" UNC thread - almost identical to the normal short one but has an imperial thread on the end to suit caterham's gearknobs


I went for the short metric one (QGE11Z002) it feels very precise next to the bog std. ford one and you can move the bearing to adjust how short a shift you get too

as I've not got it on the road yet I'm not the best person to tell you how good it feels... but sitting in the garage it feels about 100x better than the one out of my Granada donor

Paul Turner - 4/8/14 at 10:35 AM

Had a Quaiffe lever in my old 4 speed type E box. very nice it was. Not noises, no play, way better than the old standard lever.

With the type 9 I bought one of the simple kits that modify a standard lever. At 1/4 the price I got a change that is just as good as the Quaiffe lever provided. But the important thing you need is a good lever to start with. On most type 9 levers the plastic ball and base are both badly worn and fitting the kit will not change that. I was lucky to find a lever in the local scrappy out of a car that had done a million miles on the motorway, the lever was like new.

justy75 - 4/8/14 at 08:47 PM

Thanks all, some great feedback.

Mcerd1- Thanks for the info on the pre-bent quaife ones, 8" one sounds perfect, will give them a call tomorrow.

Thanks again.

justy75 - 6/8/14 at 05:21 PM

Quick update: Have purchased the Caterham pre-bent quaife quick shift, as it is smaller than the 8" pre-bent quaife one that I originally looked at.

It arrived today so I havent fitted it yet, but it seems relatively light for what it is, has a very nice action and feel about it, and is very short (I would suggest around 6". Looks well engineered, as you would hope for the money.

Once I have it fitted I will update a quick review on how it actually functions, how much it buzzes, and general opinions.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Paul Turner - 8/8/14 at 09:48 AM

Don't forget to check the plastic saddle before you fit the new lever.

justy75 - 8/8/14 at 10:19 AM

Thanks Paul, but I am one step ahead this time! I have ordered a special "track / race" orientated saddle that is made out of some kind of reinforced nylon that should apparently last better than the oem ones. It was only slightly more than a Ford one so thought that I would give it a try.

Will let you know how it all feels once set up.

Thanks