Broken Cobra on Bartlett Lake Dam Road

[Cactus Bob]

Thanks to all the Guys and Gals that stopped to help Mark and I today.

We were headed home, doing about 55 on a straight when there was a loud bang, followed by white smoke streaming from the left front wheel well. Steering was locked straight ahead, but there was just enough movement to pull the car over. If I had been in a P-51,I would have guessed that we took a german 20mm somewhere!

We got the car towed back to the garage. It took some time to get it on the lift as the front was too low to clear the lift bumpers. Anyway, on the lift, it was quite a surprise. The coilover spring was fine. The shock absorber shaft had snapped at the bottom end just above the lock nut. It sheared straight across as though it was a defect of some sort. The release of the shaft had dropped the left fender the tire what caused the smoke. The coilover buckled against the rack and pinion, further restricting the steering.

The car has 9500 miles on it....all highway, no offroad. I am sure we could have had an off road adventure if this would have occurred on a curve a 1000 yards earlier. I will contact Factory Five on Monday for a replacement. I am thinking two replacements as I am unsure when the right might do the same.

I will let you know how they respond to my concerns. Thanks again for the assistance.

Bob