I think of Rick as being my evil twin.:p

Rick, Don't apologize to ME, I think it's a very unique writing style, I was standing up for you. It's the other guy who's bugged by your writing style, I kind of enjoy it, it's how I know it's you who's writing! :LOL:

Thanks for taking the heat on this one Doug. :LOL::D:LOL:

Rick - I'll forge ahead and put on my special 3D glasses that automatically insert paragraph breaks. :LOL::LOL:

PowerSurge... I bet over 99% of the ClubCobra audience agrees with this sentiment.;)

Glad to see people are in a good mood
 

Everyone seems happy this morning.

Thanks Patrickt - I whole heartedly agree about moral obligation. It is what typifies the old versus new SAI (as a company). It is also what typifies some of the people at SAI. I have heard so many stories about Gary Patterson taking care of people and their problems (when it is or isn't SAI's fault) because it is the right thing to do (which ultimately can save head aches and long term versus short term problems / benefits). Personally, if it were not for him, SAI would not have fixed the frame on my car, and the most outstanding thing is that he did it even though he knew that the then policy of SAI would not support this decision. Although he has been the go to guy for a long time, ireally don't think it is in his job description as VP (then again, I don't think it is in Amy's job description to help me the way she has in the past).

Don't get me wrong. I am still looking for resolution and help, but I prefer to be nice until it is time to stop being nice (and that line is different for everyone). I think it also helps that NONE of my requests of SAI have ever been unreasonable - except for my request to have them come up to Santa Cruz and detail my car because it got dirty riding on an open trailer to San Luis and then here :LOL::3DSMILE::rolleyes:**):D:JEKYLHYDE;)

We live in a society of entitlement and lack of responsability
 

I had a friend tell me a year ago that he wished he had lied and cheated more because he sees how it has gotten others ahead. It is sad that it stands out when people do what is right as opposed to it being more of the standard. It has gotten to the point where there are commercials on TV trying to encourage people to do the right thing. I have been fortunate that I have people who still believe in doing the right thing in my life. Believe me, I had a bunch that go the other way also (and we are not talking about ignoring a problem but cheating and stealing) - like the fact that the first cobra I had was an Arntz I I had the "honor" :rolleyes:of getting personally ripped off by Steve Arntz.

Okay, so now what is the verdict? I haven't read every post in this thread, but almost all of them but I thought I read the rotor DIDN'T have to be pressed off, is that right?

If so, just replacing bolts with better bolts/nuts and torquing to spec should take care of the major problem at this point or is there something else I'm missing?

Are the uprights machined out of Stainless or are they hard aluminum? If they are stainless, I would stay away from Stainless fasteners as they will gall and possibly damage the part next time they have to be removed. Go with a grade 8.9 Metric bolt, possibly in black oxide coating and a good hardened washer. In this particular case, I wouldn't use nylock nuts, rather I would use the Metal crimped locking nuts as I've seen the nylock lose some of their grip on the bolt over time with heat, abuse, etc damageing them.

Bob

Yep, that moral obligation thing works every time. I hear the phone ringing now. :LOL:

Hey, maybe ask SAI if they want to hire an Director of Veterinary Medicine to take care of all the veterinary needs for for their employees. And while you're there, maybe they can find a solution to your CSX's suspension. :JEKYLHYDE

I hope (sue them) your problem (sue them) is resolved (sue them) quickly and (sue them) without too much (sue them) hassle.

This subliminal message was brought to you by the Law Firm of Dewey Cheatem and Howe.

Sorry shelbryracer, just trying to cheer you up.

Ellie (below) says, "try and work it out amicably, but if all they do is offer to throw you a bone then give it to me and take RodKnock's advice."

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...dium/ellie.JPG

verdict so far
 

Okay, I took the other (driver's side) down to my mechanic. It did NOT have to be pressed off. All of the bolts were loose, but not as bad as the passenger side so the billet aluminum upright was not as scarred. We chased all the threads in the steel ball joint mount and installed new metric 12.9 black oxide fasteners with loctite and hardened washers after dressing all the applicable surfaces. At this point my mechanic feels that it should be sufficient for now (although we are investigating customs rotors and hats for when I need to do a brake job and turn the rotors in the future so that I will not have to pull the suspension apart again. With any luck, I will be back on the road later this week or by the week end.

John(;-)

Director of vet services for SAI
 

When I used to do consulting for the Navy they had base vets that would take care of the officer's pets. Unfortunately I am not licenced in NV :(.

Thanks Rod knock :D

Bones for Ellie
 

Still trying for a happy ending for all. Any bones will be directly forwarded to Ellie. Hopefully SAI will hook me up in the future
John(;-)

SAI professionalism
 

I asked SAI for torque specs and material specs on the suspension. I had a reply in my in box when I got up today. Even though I am quickly not becoming the favorite person over there (I know that they have been getting calls about the front suspension on the 4700 cobras - I am sure more people are reading the thread than are replying) I got great service regarding my request and was dealt with in an extremely professional manner. I miss that friendly feeling but I did try to resolve this matter privately with them first and I think it is a good idea that the people who have a suspension like mine check it. I know others have had problems and mine would not have gotten caught if it were not that I was having my mechanic investigate something else and he took it upon his self to go over the whole car. If the problem had not been caught and fixed, I could have died / been injured. hurt the car badly or hurt / killed someone else. If some one else discovers a similar problem because of this thread and avoids such a catastrophe, my drama will have been worth it.
John(;-)

I will keep people up dated as we finish tearing the rotors down and inspecting them and doing the reassembly. I am hoping to pick everything up wed morning and get the car back together then or saturday. I actually have to fill in and work thurs and fri at a hospital.

The good twin
 

patrickt The dogs name is EMMA not Ellie. Same color eyes, about the same wieght and height. 11 lbs all wet. Same color with white feet. Nickname "pita" Runs the house. The only good things is my cobra was not attacked my a mexician posse and the color is white.:rolleyes:;):LOL::LOL: Rick L.

And all it takes is a thread and Baseball Bat
 

Shelby Racer Gald that CSI is working with you in a forward motion to help fix this problem. Hope for a good test ride on Sat.:MECOOL: It's a shame that CSI had to do this the hard way and not be stand up in the beginning.:o Their decision to fix the car goes along way in knowing that they are standing behind the product.:) I know this may cost the company a little money if others find a problem with there cars, but in the long run, CSI may have just save a human life. There is NOTHING more important than this. Another good thread coming to an end with a good out come. CSI THANKS for the HELP.:MECOOL::) Rick L.

Back on the road already? Excellent. It sounds like another case of the squeaky wheel getting greased.

I hope so
 

We shall see come saturday. SAI offered advice and technical support. The reason it all may have worked out was because my engine builder it a wizard with all things mechanical. Although he works on everything he is kind of a cobra fe specialist. Great guy, smart, accomodating, cares about the customer (gets something out of seeing people smile as they drive down the road) and he has made house calls for me. If any one ever needs an FE built (especially if you don't want just an off the shelf / crate motor) he will sit you down and help you figure out what will work best for you and then build you what ever you want. If you appreciate him, he will appreciate you.

This whole episode had turned into way more drama than I had hoped or intended. I have to admit that I fed into the pack mentality when I was told by multiple people things different than what I had gotten from SAI. I still think the design is bad for multiple reasons (although it may be adequate for a street driven cobra when properly torqued) and absolutely do not get why the upper 3 holes are slotted since you can not adjust them with the rotor on, the slots weaken the upright and allow for the part to move. Oh well, may be there will be a fix in the future.

Thanks again to everyone for the support and advice (and sense of community). I will keep people in the loop and we are going to do another inspection on everything once I get another 500 miles on it (assuming it is back on the road this week end).

John(;-)

Everyone is Still Not Happy...
 

Ellie says, "well I guess this means I don't get my bone.":(

John, so you're saying that the current fix is not a permanent fix? If your CSX passes its 500-mile test, then will you be able to take the car to the track and feel comfortable?

It's not clear to me if you should let your "foot off the gas" sort of speak.

You mentioned the hubs were NOT pressed into the bearings. Is that true?

If so, could you please post the bearing number?

I assume the hubs use a double-row angular contact bearings in the hubs.

Also, what size bolt (shank size) holds the whole assembly together?

David
:):):)