Aligning the suspension. How accurate?

[mreid]

Definitely trim the bottom of the bellhousing. Gives you some piece of mind, plus your car will settle a bit as you drive it and you may find that without any adjustment you find yourself at 4 1/2" ride height over time.

[lal Naja]

Originally Posted by mreid

Definitely trim the bottom of the bellhousing. Gives you some piece of mind, plus your car will settle a bit as you drive it and you may find that without any adjustment you find yourself at 4 1/2" ride height over time.

I took a look at trimming the bell housing, but unfortunately, the bottom of the sump/oil pan is at the the same level. So trimming is out of the question, as the sump would then take the impact. That would be bad news as it will distort the seal area too.

I am installing sloping rubbing blocks to the frame. In an event where I bottom on something the frame/rubbing blocks will just glide over without impact to the sump. Providing the hump I'm going over is reasonable flat. LOL

Arthur

[lal Naja]

Finally done! Diagonal measurements are just under 1/16" longer on one side (Right back to left front) or shorter by 1/16" on the other side if if you prefer. Correcting this required more elongation of holes and I'm accepting this good-enough.

Have no idea how this compares with other Cobras or in cars in general.

At some point in time, I will have alignment checked on proper alignment equipment.

I trust that I will not have to make any changes to move anything, as IRS/IFS is dowel fit to the frame.

Arthur

[vector1]

alignment machine will tell you which side is longer and the direction of the thrust line and everything you ever wanted to know.

[Bobcat]

Go to Longacre`s web site and then to the Tech section . They have a great "how to " article on Squaring a Race Car .... from theory to practice . They align/square the rear end to the front suspension , not the frame , which makes sense .
Now to go out to the garage and see how much I`m off after doing it the way I have for years !

Bob

P.S. They are talking about a circle track car , but the basics still apply .

[lal Naja]

Thanks Bob,

Good article at Longacres. In principle I tried to do just that. I establishing the theoretical center line of my car and plotting all measurements off that.

I'm thinking of having the car taken to an alignment shop to double check everything before I weld in the permenant locating points.

Arthur