First accident with the cobra today - Page 2

67JET · #21 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 10:24 AM

Glad your OK.
When I bought my car i noticed that the steering shaft was 2 pipes - 1 inside the other with some questionable welds holding everything together. When I rebuilt the car last year the top thing on the list was to fit a new column in it. I got it from IDIDIT and they custom made it for me. Not only is it easier to steer (no power steering) but way safer than anything i could have built. Good luck and for goodness sake do it the SAFE WAY not the cheap or in your case the cool looking way. Safe is cool!!!!

decapello · #22 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 10:29 AM

How many of you have checked your steering since reading this? I know I will tonight.

289ERAkit · #23 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 11:58 AM

You are thoughtful for posting this. Thank you.

Xavier · #24 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 12:02 PM

This is not an uncommon story, it is uncommon that someone admits to it or is in good enough condition to use their computer to type anything. I heard of this happening too many times, people crashing into a tree and the driver is fatally wounded. It feels like I have heard this a 100 times, which in all honesty is probably more like 2 or 3 times.

My procedure is as follows, which I do not practice religously.

When I get home from a drive a pull the hood pins, lift up the hood and look for leaks and steering movement. I have anti-sabotage markings on my steering joints, steering lock-nuts and upper contol-arm bolts and adjustable nuts. It takes a few seconds to look at it like this with a flash light. I wait for the car to cool off then cover it.

I repeat this procedure (or try to) each time I drive it. How many control arm stories and steering joint stories have you heard? How many end with a reasonably happy ending like this?

There is no half-a$$ing steering and suspension components, lock-tight, nylock nuts, torque, great hardware and good manuafcturing has to be invested in and even then, mistakes happen. There is a LOT of vibration in these cars, which is why they need constant inspection.

I am glad the driver is all right and they are good enough to put this thread on this web forum. This thread has the potential of saving lives - not the typical BS that just catches our interest.

Indeed, how many will check our steering tonight? (and our suspension).

cman46 · #25 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 01:03 PM

Suspect you were hoping those two 4's would give you some lift. Better the boat yard than the bone yard. Ya know Jon I find my best passenger is a box of Depends. Col

saltshaker · #26 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 03:23 PM

Two weeks ago my local gas station allowed me to use his lift, I was having a problem with bolts coming loose and wanted to take them out and put loctite on all of them which took a couple hours. One of our members made a great suggestion to mark all the bolts and nuts with a sharpie so at a glance you could see if they were coming loose...great idea... thanks Joe
Drove the car today, still running great...just need a pair of bj/bk carbs, can't get rid of the bog on these 450's !
Jon

Excaliber · #27 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 04:38 PM

Quote:

...the bog on these 450's

Piece of cake. You need:
1. Bigger main jets, duals don't like to run anywhere near lean or even normal. They like rich. You might consider the power valves as well, they should be at least 1/2 of whatever your idle vacuum reading is. Idles at 12"? 6" PV's or even 5's.

2. Bump up the base timing, very common to not run enough. Should be at least 14, I'm running 20.

3. More cowbell, oh wait, that was another thread...

COBRANIP · #28 (**permalink**) 09-04-2010, 11:20 PM

Another resource for steering components:
http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/home.php

PDUB · #29 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 01:31 PM

Thank God for Guardian Angels! Glad you are OK, with only minor damage to your ride...

Chaplain · #30 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 06:52 AM

Jon.....thanks for posting your experiance. There is never any shame in stepping out of your comfort zone and then having to live the challenges doing that presents. The shame belongs to those reading your post and never having the cajones to live their dream.

FWB · #31 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 01:57 PM

resurrecting this thread for jon..........so he may post his latest experience today.
i'll let him tell the story........ok jon take a deep breath......don't let out any details

jbcobra67 · #32 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 02:26 PM

I certainly hope it's just another scare. Is the car and most important Jon OK?

Joey

mickmate · #33 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 07:25 PM

Steering joints should be either Double D or splined. Either method uses a groove or an indent to lock the screw against the shaft. The screw should be tight and have a jam or lock nut. Before making anything for brakes or steering read up on and look at what other people are doing and have it clear in your head why and how before you make anything. I heard of one idiot who used a socket set universal in his steering, right before he crashed the car. That kind of stuff shuts our hobby down! Just don't do it!

mpanten · #34 (**permalink**) 07-23-2011, 07:53 PM

Did you get video because I laughed my butt off at the video on here of the drag racer who lost his steering wheel

Seriously glad you are ok, i had the same thing happen to me but not in my cobra and not at those speeds.

BAsque1 · #35 (**permalink**) 07-24-2011, 06:14 AM

Jesus Mary Joseph!!!! I am glad you walked out of this one literally unscathed!!!
Basque1

mervy49 · #36 (**permalink**) 09-23-2011, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decapello

How many of you have checked your steering since reading this? I know I will tonight.

I'll be doing that first thing in the morn,.....checking my steering. I know what I got there but after reading that , it's a good thing to check it over.

CBattaglia · #37 (**permalink**) 09-24-2011, 04:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWB

resurrecting this thread for jon..........so he may post his latest experience today.
i'll let him tell the story........ok jon take a deep breath......don't let out any details

the subject line says it all. HE predicted the next one...

mrmustang · #38 (**permalink**) 09-24-2011, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWB

resurrecting this thread for jon..........so he may post his latest experience today.
i'll let him tell the story........ok jon take a deep breath......don't let out any details

Da Bunnies (tm) know but signed a nondisclosure agreement

Bill S.

Bill Bess · #39 (**permalink**) 09-24-2011, 05:26 AM

Sounds kind of scary, your very lucky indeed. I would suggest installing good quality U-joints, a collapsable sterring shaft, plenty of loctite and a routine inspect schelule. Sterring , brakes and electrical are the most important systems....HP comes next.

Good Luck!

Bill

saltshaker · #40 (**permalink**) 09-24-2011, 05:56 AM

I started a new thread "second chance" ...I'm replacing the body and have a chance to build it again and hopefully better. I posed the question that if you could redo your car knowing it's good points and it's bad what would you change?
Jon