Original 427 Street Cobra Suspension Rebuild

[David Kirkham]

Here is a picture of the front hub assembly. The bearings have been checked and the outer bearings have been replaced to the larger bearings.

[David Kirkham]

Here is the outboard view of the hub and rotor assembly with the new Set 12 bearing ready to go on.

Notice the synthetic red Mobil 1 grease we use. It has a very high working temperature. If you have ever raced on those solid rotors, then you know why you need the high temperature grease.

[David Kirkham]

Here you can see the new 5/8 "D" washer we made to go with the new upsized outer bearing. The original spindle only had a 9/16 "D" washer and nut.

[David Kirkham]

Here you put the new 5/8 castle nut on.

[David Kirkham]

Here Jeremy is giving the hub a spin while he tightens up the castle nut. You do this to seat the bearing. Just keep turning and working the bearing down tight until the hub stops turning. Then back off 1/4 turn and put in cotter pin.

Done!

[David Kirkham]

Just for comparison, here is our latest set of rear hubs. Our front hubs are very similar. Notice the drive pins are milled directly into the hub. This is done for MAXIMUM strength, MINIMUM part count, and minimum weight. By milling the drive pins directly into the hubs, we are able to make the entire part much lighter. Also, there is NEVER the question of "Did you tighten the drive pins????"

These drive pins will NEVER come loose!

The milling operation to make the drive pins is extremely difficult. At first Sandwich told me it wasn't even possible. I "persuaded" him there was enough room and he moaned and groaned, but got it done. I knew it could be done...there was at least 10 microns of tool clearance! What was all that complaining about anyway?

There is a very long reach that has to be done with the end mill to get around the snout of the hub and preventing chatter and tool destruction is a major challenge. This milling operation eats end mills like Rosie eats candy. But it makes the strongest, lightest, most corrosion resistant part possible.

Anyway, milled in drive pins is the LATEST and GREATEST mod on F1 cars which was only started this year. I like not having to keep track of so many parts, nuts, and drive pins falling all over the place and rolling under the bench.

[David Kirkham]

Also,

You can see in the above photo the oval shaped hole at the end of the snout. That hole is for our safety pop up button to keep the knock offs from coming off accidentally! Another F1 modification. It is very nice to have friends in high places!

David