Club Cobra Gas-N Exhaust  

Go Back   Club Cobra > Cobra Talk Areas > ALL COBRA TALK

MMG Superformance
Nevada Classics
Keith Craft Racing
Main Menu
Module Jump:
Nevada Classics
Nevada Classics
MMG Superformance
Advertise at CC
Banner Ad Rates
MMG Superformance
Keith Craft Racing
Keith Craft Racing
MMG Superformance
March 2024
S M T W T F S
          1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31            

Kirkham Motorsports

Like Tree2Likes
  • 2 Post By strictlypersonl

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 08-12-2020, 11:53 AM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 3
Not Ranked     
Default Rear Ride Height Issue - Need Help

I have had a significant ride hieght issue discrepancy between the rear left and right. The shop has currently replaced the all four shocks, so all suspension measurements are within 1/2 to 3/4 inch (upper shold bolt to ground and lower shock bolt to ground on both sides). The attached pictures are after this was done.

The mechanic thinks that the body might haver flexed. But I don't necessarily think that is the case as there is no cracks or deformities in the fiberglass.

Anyone have ideas of what the problem could be?
Attached Images
    
Reply With Quote
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 08-12-2020, 12:35 PM
eschaider's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Gilroy, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: SPF 2291, Whipple Blown & Injected 4V ModMotor
Posts: 2,628
Not Ranked     
Default

Well for one thing your rear tires are not the same size! Look at the measuring tape in your photos.

IRS or stick axle?


Ed
__________________


Help them do what they would have done if they had known what they could do.
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 08-12-2020, 01:34 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: New Britain, CT
Cobra Make, Engine: Size 10 Feet
Posts: 2,993
Not Ranked     
Default

What is the measurement ground to frame, right in front of the rear tire, at each side?
Grubby and cycleguy55 like this.
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 08-12-2020, 04:01 PM
DanEC's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Little Rock area, AR
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA Street Roadster #782 with 459 cu in FE KC engine, toploader, 3.31
Posts: 4,480
Not Ranked     
Default

What kind of car and what rear suspension (Jag?)? Some of these replica chassis' are pretty stiff and with a pretty much 50/50 weight distribution - if you have a soft spring or short shock at the front it can transfer to the opposing rear and cause it to sit higher. You may need to start from scratch and adjust the coils on both front and rear.
__________________
ERA 782 Running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfge...b1-77fqwFRu7c]
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 08-12-2020, 09:26 PM
cycleguy55's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: White City, SK
Cobra Make, Engine: West Coast, 460 CID
Posts: 2,844
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by strictlypersonl View Post
What is the measurement ground to frame, right in front of the rear tire, at each side?
Agree. Frame measurements are the starting point. If they're equal and wheel opening heights are different then the issue is with the body or body mounting. More likely they're not equal and the springs need adjusting - either front or rear, or perhaps both. Corner weighting scales would be invaluable if available.
__________________
Brian
Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 08-12-2020, 11:20 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 3
Not Ranked     
Default

Here are the measurments from the frame to the body.
Attached Images
  
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 05:55 AM
DanEC's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Little Rock area, AR
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA Street Roadster #782 with 459 cu in FE KC engine, toploader, 3.31
Posts: 4,480
Not Ranked     
Default

Well, something is off there - wherever those are taken.
__________________
ERA 782 Running
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfge...b1-77fqwFRu7c]
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 07:45 AM
joyridin''s Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,689
Not Ranked     
Default

Frame to ground on a flat surface is the same for both sides? What is the brand of the car?
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 10:45 AM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Cobra Make, Engine:
Posts: 3
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DanEC View Post
What kind of car and what rear suspension (Jag?)? Some of these replica chassis' are pretty stiff and with a pretty much 50/50 weight distribution - if you have a soft spring or short shock at the front it can transfer to the opposing rear and cause it to sit higher. You may need to start from scratch and adjust the coils on both front and rear.
The car was made by NAF in '89.

Solid axel 8.8 by Ford. The suspension is technically a mustang/2 suspension. Rear is a 4 link. The ground to frame is 9 inches on sides of the rear and the front frame is 8 inches on both sides.

The car has never been wrecked and has been in our family since new.
Reply With Quote
  #10 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 11:30 AM
cycleguy55's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: White City, SK
Cobra Make, Engine: West Coast, 460 CID
Posts: 2,844
Not Ranked     
Default

So frame measurements are equal, yet wheel opening heights are different. The issue appears to be with the body or body mounting. I'd also check whether the top of the wheel opening is the same height from the top of the fender / body, as it could just be molded that way.

Is this something you can live with, or are you committed to resolving the issue?
__________________
Brian
Reply With Quote
  #11 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 12:15 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Lafayette, IN
Cobra Make, Engine: Looking to buy
Posts: 1,295
Not Ranked     
Default

It sounds like something that can be lived with and would cost a lot to resolve what is in the end a cosmetic issue?

I'm thinking the owner would be the only person who would ever see it.
__________________
Cobra loving, autocrossing Grandpa Architect.
Reply With Quote
  #12 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 01:03 PM
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Orange, CT
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #720
Posts: 117
Not Ranked     
Default

Obviously everyone's tolerance for overlooking a cosmetic issue is different, but I can tell you for sure I wouldn't be able to look at that high side for very long if it was my car. That would drive me to either fix it or sell it.
Reply With Quote
  #13 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 01:07 PM
FredG's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Howell, NJ
Cobra Make, Engine: Backdraft Car #1209 Roush 427R
Posts: 604
Not Ranked     
Default

I love a good challenge. You say the frame to ground measurements are the same on both sides. Are the measurements taken right in front of the rear wheels. I would pull both rear wheels, put jack stands under the axle and start inspecting the frame to body and frame to axle connections. With that big a gap, something should jump out at you as being out of whack. Did this problem appear after the shocks were changed? If so, take the rear ones off and see what happens.

Fred

Last edited by FredG; 08-13-2020 at 02:17 PM.. Reason: text
Reply With Quote
  #14 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 01:45 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Lafayette, IN
Cobra Make, Engine: Looking to buy
Posts: 1,295
Not Ranked     
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by jguay75 View Post
Here are the measurments from the frame to the body.
At what point is the measurement being taken please?
__________________
Cobra loving, autocrossing Grandpa Architect.
Reply With Quote
  #15 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 01:51 PM
Grubby's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Clayton, IN
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 838
Posts: 1,064
Not Ranked     
Default

Measure frame to the ground. That is how the OEM service manuals do it. Body panels can have mounting differences.

John
Reply With Quote
  #16 (permalink)  
Old 08-13-2020, 02:57 PM
vntgspd's Avatar
CC Member
Visit my Photo Gallery

 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: La Habra Heights, CA
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #347
Posts: 144
Not Ranked     
Default

I agree with getting solid frame measurements.

Can you clarify the replacement of the 4 "shocks"? Are they coilovers (shock/spring as one) or are the shocks separate from the springs?

If coilovers, can you measure the spring length between the upper and lower spring seat for each shock absorber?

Also, you noted in your first post that the shock mounting bolts are within 1/2"-3/4" of each other when measured to the ground. If the ground is flat, that is actually a large difference. That difference when measured 12-24" away from the shock at the fenders edge will actually increase. 1/2" at the shock mount could easily look like 1" or more at the fender.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: CC Policy
Links monetized by VigLink