Club Cobra - Wheel Alignment

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- - Wheel Alignment (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/backdraft-racing/65301-wheel-alignment.html)

here is one pic...BTW I got grease all over my shock. What is that? Am I leaking anything?

Put the cobra to the test today. Took it out on some back road and put the hammer down. Stuck real well! Came into right turn 90 degree and kicked the back end out. Tires spun but I didn't move and had to lift to get them to hook back up. GOD I LOVE THIS CAR!!! It was the hardest I have ever driven it. I was thinking about changing the rear gear but its perfect for what I use it for. What a blast! I got to mount a video camera so people on the BDR fence can see what it really feels like when you got some open pavement.

Sid

Sounds awesome Sid. I am looking forward to trying to keep up with you and Shelby. I am getting the same toe adjustment bars installed as you did. They should put me into spec and ready for action. :JEKYLHYDE

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffko

Cashburn, should this really be at my expense? What do you think uncltodd? I believe I bought a car that was complete less engine, trans & ignition. Clearly they provided a suspension that will not even meet their own specs. The whole reason I bought a roller was to avoid these kinds of problems. I have enjoyed building the engine and finishing this car. However, it gets a little frustrating when you have to redrill and tap door because 2 out of 4 bolts were overtightened and stripped. Which consequently caused the paint damage to the body side of the door jamb. Trust me, the list goes on. Sorry guys, what I really want is suggestions on what the problem is before I go to Reg with it. I want to make sure the alignment guy was right.

Just got back from the Alignment Shop after getting the initial alignment done on BDR530. First thing I did was sit down and read this entire thread. I am more than a little concerned with what appears to be a major design problem with the BDR!

I gave the alignment shop the Alignment Specification Sheet that came with the Roadster manual. The tech told me he got the rear wheels set OK but the camber on the front wheels will not even come close. As stated throughout this thread, there is apparently no adjustment that can be made to correct this. The Tech told me I was going to eat through a set of tires in no time.

I concur with Jeffko's comments above. I fully expected a lot of little quirks and adjustments that come with a kit car. I am more than happy to take care of those things myself. The alignment issue however appears to be something that I CAN NOT FIX!

I am drafting an e-mail to Reg and the boys now, but after reading this it doesn't look like they are doing much to correct the problem. Has anyone gotten any additional feedback on this from Backdraft?

Maybe they will send me a new set of F1 tires every 6 months!!:LOL:

Cashburn, You seem to know more about these cars than anyone else. What do you think I should do?

Thanks!

I feel my alignment is fine. I got mine straight from the horse mouth the big dog himself...Tony Martin. LOVE MY SET UP.

The only way my shop was able to get camber was height adjustment with springs. I had to lower my front end alot before I was in specs. My shop thought I was crazy but when they dropped it lower it went right to specs.
tom
From Tony himself for street driving.

FRT AND REAR:

CAMBER 1 1/2DEGREE NEG.( _ +1/2 DEGREE)
1-2MM TOTAL TOE IN.

U CAN RUN A LITTLE LESS CAMBER IF U WANT BUT I FEEL THAT IT COMPROMISES THE HANDLING.

BMW SET UP ALL THEIR SPORTIER TYPE CARS WITH THIS NEG. CAMBER.

SOUNDS LIKE YOUR FRONT TOE IS OUT FROM THE CUPPING OF THE TIRES.

SET YOUR FRT RIDE HIEGHT TO GET TO APPROX 1 1/2 TO 2 DEGREES NEG.
SET FRT TOE 1MM.

SET REAR RIDE HIGHT TO COMPLEMENT THE FRT RIDE HIGHT.

SET REAR CAMBER 1 1/2 TO 2 DEGREE NEG.

SET REAR TOE.

__________________

Listen to Tony. And the camber is good, you will not smoke a set of front tires on a Cobra, unless you put another 1000 pounds up front somehow.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Listen to Tony. And the camber is good, you will not smoke a set of front tires on a Cobra, unless you put another 1000 pounds up front somehow.

Cashburn,
Are you saying the camber is good "AS IS" or if it's aligned to the Backdraft Specs? Because thats the problem. We cant get it close to "THEIR" specs?

The best camber we can get is -1.84 and -2.31

You can change front camber by adjusting the front ride height.

To get my alignment right on my Excaliber Cobra (mustang II front) they say I need a offset upper control arm. Any idea where these can be found?

thank