Don, another question: front end alignment

cobra427mnsi · #1 (**permalink**) 06-05-2005, 08:54 AM

Hi Don,
It seems that I am bombarding you with alot of questions, but , I've got the "pour more money into the cobra" bug. Actually, like the rest, I am always trying to improve my car. Now to the real reason I posted.

I have had trouble with aligning and keeping aligned the front end. The trouble is that the one spec (cambor or castor or toe in/out) moves around while trying to adjust the others. Once adjusted it eventually moves over a period of time.

I have the 1992 version of the 427. I have seen from FinishLine a bracket that bolts to the mounting area of the upper control arm that allows for easy front end adjustment. Although I can't envision how they are attached.

What do you do for front end alignment on your turnkeys? Do you have anything like that offered at FinishLine on your updated 427 kit that I can buy ?

Any info would help.

Paul

mgilbert · #2 (**permalink**) 06-05-2005, 11:24 AM

hey hows it going? i'll take a shot at this, i think you bolt the part to where the a arm used to bolt to the frame. you then take a arm shaft and rotate 90 degrees and bolt to the part that bolts to the frame. so now the a arm attachment bolts are horizontal and you can then use shim g.m. style. the part looks like a piece of angle iron to me. once alignment is right mabey weld to frame? this is what i have read, i need to do it to. i hope this is correct, and some help see ya, Mark

dscott · #3 (**permalink**) 06-06-2005, 10:01 AM

mgilbert is correct on how they mount. We are in the process of adding that change to our frames. It will help keep the alignment stable.
Don

cobra427mnsi · #4 (**permalink**) 06-06-2005, 12:20 PM

Thanks for responding Mark and Don.

Don, the bracket you are trying to incorporate into your car, is it the one available from FinishLine or one similar or are you designing a completely different one?

If I were to purchase the one from FinishLine, would it work for me?

Sorry for soooo many questions.

Paul

TWOOD · #5 (**permalink**) 08-25-2008, 06:26 AM

Are these two brackets (from CRII) supposed to be identical?
Universal for left and right side and not a left and right side bracket.
I thought Pete (CRII) told me yes.

Also, is this the proper way they should be mounted. It's about the only way I can figure.

Anybody have to use these to maintain proper front end alignment?

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Double Venom · #6 (**permalink**) 08-28-2008, 12:26 PM

Hey!
Can't get rid of me that quick or easy! They had to lay in a whole new phone line!
Tom, thos brackets are fine, let your alignment guy get it set up then mig weld them in place.
Those have to be a left and right pair! Notice the different size ears-in lenght. If they are the only way they bolt on then they have to be right!
I know Don had a major problem with his new welder, especially after what I have run across and had to cut and reweld on Ed's car. I had heard that the welder thought he was so good he didn't need to use the jigs. Well have I got news for him!
Tom that should give you the -3/8's easy and maybe even have to add a shim or two. All good stuff.
DV

tcrist · #7 (**permalink**) 08-28-2008, 04:00 PM

DV,
Would you have a shetch of those brackets? Have you looked at the set up that RCC products sells?

Tom, If you have not installed them yet, Could you trace them on a piece of paper and e-mail or fax them to me. I would like to make a set for mine.

Terry

MaSnaka · #8 (**permalink**) 08-28-2008, 04:50 PM

Terry,
If it works out that your making a set of those brackets, would you please make a set for me? Thanks.

John

tcrist · #9 (**permalink**) 08-28-2008, 05:27 PM

John,
You betcha.
Terry

Double Venom · #10 (**permalink**) 08-28-2008, 05:58 PM

Terry,
I've used that type for years but from Tommy Beroth, but same idea. I hope you weld better than the ones shown

DV

tcrist · #11 (**permalink**) 08-28-2008, 08:38 PM

I will probably bend them with a 1/4" radius. Or would that not be the right thing to do?
Terry

Double Venom · #12 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 02:44 AM

Terry with thertight radius it may not give you enough room?
DV

tcrist · #13 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 08:56 AM

DV,
Ok, no problem. Our welder at the shop is excellent.
Terry

TWOOD · #14 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 12:44 PM

Terry,
Sent you a email, but here's what I said.

No problem! I just traced one of them. THe two I have are identical.

I can fax the drawing to you. Let me know the number.
Tom

TWOOD · #15 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 12:51 PM

DV,
How important will it be to MIG weld the brackets to the shock tower (frame)?
Would the bolts be adequate?
The frame and brackets are both powder coated.

I'm still not grasping why the "ears" on the brackets are different lengths.
I can only assume that it is because it provides 4 different bolt hole locations to use and greater adjustability.

Thanks, Tom

Double Venom · #16 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 01:47 PM

Tom,
My guess is that Dons welder copied them exactly from Tommy Beroth. He used those arms for multiple uses, i.e., Cobras and dirt track guys. No you do not have to weld them but I just never liked the idea of them being able to move and blow an alignment, especially on a road course or SCCA type event. Me? I'd blow the small amount of powder coating needed to weld and paint it black gloss, but that's me!
DV

tcrist · #17 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWOOD

Terry,
Sent you a email, but here's what I said.

No problem! I just traced one of them. THe two I have are identical.

I can fax the drawing to you. Let me know the number.
Tom

Tom, I replied to your e-mail with the fax number.

Terry

Double Venom · #18 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 04:44 PM

Tom, For what I know you have two of the same brackets, you also have them bolted on wrong, turn them, around so the ears face toward to motor. That WAS the way they wre supposed to fit.
I also sent you an e-mail.
DV

TWOOD · #19 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 07:37 AM

DV, I sent photos of the only two ways to position the brackets. Which one was wrong?

OK, they are identical brackets, but is the same part supposed to be used on both the left and right side?

If the ears side of this angle bracket is facing the engine (inboard), and point upward then the taller, of the two, ears will be to the front of the car (on the right side) and the taller ears will be to the rear of the car (on the left side).

This changes the angle the the control arm relative to horizontal. Tilted up on one side of the car and down on the other. And definitely not parallel to each other.

This does not seem correct. If the two brackets were mirror images of each other(two different parts), then things make more sense.

I be-laboring this issue, I'm sure. Sorry, everyone.
Does anyone have a photo of these brackets installed?
Are these two brackets suposed to be identical or should ther be a left and a right?
DV, I replied to you via email, in greater detail.
What a easy thing for CRII to have done, if they simply had supplied a basic drawing, on a single piece of paper, to accompany the parts.

Double Venom · #20 (**permalink**) 09-01-2008, 09:41 AM

Tom,
I've read your letter numerous times. I have come to one of two conclusions, either the ones you have are different than what we used, (which I Doubt) or Dons are a whole new breed of arms, (which I truly doubt).

Or Don has come up with wome new type of support arm. Which I highly doubt but may be wrong.

The only way I could be sure is to actually see both of yours, lay them on Ed's car and see what happens. Like I said in the first place, there has to be a left and a right. Second, you have the flanges laying flat and pointing outward toward the wheel, where before, the flanges pointed toward the motor.
Sorry, but under the circumstances that is the best I can do for you.
DV