mounting brackets

[Jeff Shepard]

I have been following with great interest the dialogue about mounting brackets on SCOF. Tonight I climbed under SPF#1378 and was shocked to find only one bolt holding the right side. I quickly checked the left side and saw two bolts but had seen enough to keep it parked until the new brackets are available.

A few years ago I had what I thought was a freak accident. Upshifting from first to second with a heavy throttle the car darted left, climbed the curb, and hit a tree in the median. Thankfully the only things injured were the right rear and my pride. I have been kicking myself for years, now I wonder, but that is history as they say.

I encourage everyone to take a minute and check your brackets, it could be a lifesaver.

I also thank rt for all he has done to isolate the issue and find a cure.

Jeff

[Silverback51]

Post Deleted.

[Powershift1038]

What mounting brackets are you checking?

[Woodz428]

I think this is what happens when fear bating and hysteria become a marketing tool. Jeff, you mentioned that the bolt was on the right side...which coincidentally is the same side that was damaged. It has been known that these bolts can break in an accident. Now, however, with the frenzy whipped around everyone is assuming that the broken bolts are casusing accidents. I think it is a bunch of BS. Regular checks can catch this and probably should have been examined when the accident occured. These cars can be/are unpredictable and every incident isn't the result of some failure. I would wait to hear what some owners that have ...say....75,000 miles and loads of track time say. I doubt that they would hide something that was a safety issue if it was present. Maybe you should sell the car... which is the mentality that is being generated. I saw a video of a guy walking through a window...I don't believe that either. I'm done.

[Silverback51]

Post Deleted.

[RedBarchetta]

I'm with WoodZ on a lot of this.

Originally Posted by Silverback51

I understand what you are saying, but being an engineer myself, I do believe it's not the best design I have ever seen.

I could say that to pretty much everything the Big 3 produces. Heck, even a Mercedes has its shortcomings. Just fewer than most.

Originally Posted by Silverback51

I will however probably buy a set of the new brackets and keep them on hand if needed.

Whether it's brackets or just replacing the existing bolts with ones that have longer shoulders, I'm not clear why anyone would purchase what is essentially an upgrade and not install it? Especially if you plan to stress the car and not just do gentle cruises.

Originally Posted by Silverback51

This will however go on my list of things to check on a monthly basis, or after a spirited ride.

"After" could be too late? At the least, it's less than $10 worth of hardware and about one hour of labor. These cars (Cobras in general) shake, rattle, hiccup, spit and grind far more than any production car. They require constant vigilance and oversight. If you're not regularly checking fasteners and stress points for these "race cars with license plates", then it might not be the best hobby for that particular person (not you Silverback directly, I'm referring to anyone that owns/drives a Cobra replica).

Originally Posted by Silverback51

I would like to point out also that based on the number of members that have looked at their cars, and found a problem, that the failure rate is quite high considering the limited number of cars out there.

If less than 4/10 of 1% (my SWAG) is "quite high", then we all have a different definition to the term. If I was to take my '02 Z06 to Willow Springs and run some hot laps (even on the stock hides), I'm probably going to loosen and/or snap parts unless I perform some pre-spirited prep work. And I'm pretty certain that I would discover some factory parts that weren't up to that level of punishment (and, I might add, even though a 'Vette like the Z06 was designed for more abuse than the average production car).

What I'm not going to do is post here and defend any car make or any one component. All I'm saying is look at parts failure in the context of what the vehicle is used for and how it's being driven. And then ask yourself, "Has this vehicle been properly prepared to address the situations that I'm going to encounter or put it through?" I believe that if you honestly answer that question and apply some common sense to the framework that you have either built or inherited, you will find a TON of things that likely need some fortification.

I've said my two cents and if anyone wants to talk to me more about this, they can e-mail me.

Peace,

-Dean