289 progress........

[MAStuart]

Jeff Not all stainless is nonmagnetic. That is the same steering arm I have. I think George told me they were 17-4 stainless. 17-4 is an investment casting alloy, and is magnetic. In one of your pictures, I think I can see one of the casting voids inside of one of the holes. My 7 1/2 wide Trigo clears the brake caliper with ease. My steering arm is going to need to be bent more than yours because my wheel has more backspacing than yours. Dan sent me a PM about all the different mag race wheels. Helped to explain the need to bend the arms and the need for different wheel castings as they changed to different brakes.

[1985 CCX]

Think if I bend out 3/4” I’ll be fine.

[1985 CCX]

All bent!

[1795]

Nice job Jeff! So how did you go about doing it and how difficult was it?

Jim

[1985 CCX]

Jim,

Heated them to a dull glow, not enough for gravity to take hold.... While glowing I used a 5' long pipe and slowly pulled it over. I used a straight piece of flat alloy to see where the hole for the tie-rod end lined up. Used the old units as a template from the bottom as well. Like anything Cobra it's a plus or minus 1/16".

I'll try to add pics to demonstrate what I am saying. Spoke to a few folks about quenching and was told let it slowly cool. That is what I did.

Easy peezy!

[1985 CCX]

Painted with epoxy, will set up in 24hrs
Hoping it’s a smooth installation this weekend

[1795]

Absolutely stunning!

[PDUB]

Looking good, Jeff!

[1985 CCX]

Ok
So today was dry fitment to determine challenges ahead.
Great news, besides cleaning everything up; all looks to fit without rubbing.

[1985 CCX]

Will need a slightly smaller tie rod end as it’s a snug fit.
Auto parts store tomorrow.

[1985 CCX]

Put on caliper to see if rotor alignment was correct ...... yup

[1985 CCX]

Put on wheel to see if I had to file anything for fitment.
Nope, spins rub free no spacer.
Will not use nylok style nuts upon final install.
Using Flexloc style for strength and security.

[1795]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Put on wheel to see if I had to file anything for fitment.
Nope, spins rub free no spacer.
Will not use nylok style nuts upon final install.
Using Flexloc style for strength and security.

Jeff,

Looking nice. Good choice not using nylock nuts, it gets pretty hot in there. I use the metal captive nuts.

Take a look at the clearance between the caliper and the wheel spokes. I saw the drilled hole in your spinner. One mine, I cannot use a lock wire as there is not enough clearance between the caliper and the wheel spokes for the wire. You may have enough, but it will be close.

Jim

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by 1795

One mine, I cannot use a lock wire as there is not enough clearance between the caliper and the wheel spokes for the wire.

Jim

Jim, that is tight!!

[Gaz64]

I hope you boys realise that bending steering arms alters the Ackermann steering principle.
If while driving on smooth concrete while turning at low speed, and a front tyre scrubs, then the inside is turning too far.

[MAStuart]

Gaz64 My son told me the same thing. He said something about the tie rod ends needing to be outside of the plane of the ball joints. Anyhow it sounds like they have been bending the steering arms ever since they started to use anything other than the original wire wheels.

[1985 CCX]

Jim, Gary and Mike

All great information. THANKS
Will look at safety wire room. Can always drill small hole in spoke if it’s an issue.
Basically the bend is the same as the original steering rod in this car.
Running for 9 years w/o issue.
Also virtually all AC Cobras were like this.
Is it perfect, these cars are not. The camber changes as you steer as well, spring elongates while articulating in corners on both ends.
Will see how it works, remember virtually all SAI race cars did this.
All buggy spring 7000 and 8000 are like this too.
Guessing the same for 4000/6000 cars. The ends are still outside the center plane if the ball joint.

Hmmm, maybe it’s time for a Porsche

[jolsen42]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Hmmm, maybe it’s time for a Porsche

Nah

John O

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Hmmm, maybe it’s time for a Porsche

You have a nice one, already, wise guy!

[1985 CCX]

Left side complete except tie rod replace.
On to other side....,