Steering/Front Suspension

[Bill Bulmer]

Guys,

I am just curious as a new owner, what other owners experience with the general steering feel, and front end ride quality over bumps. My Cobra was built in 2014 (I am 2nd owner), and only has 1,500 miles so it's all fairly new.

I find that there is a bit of a shimmy in the steering wheel at all speeds, and there is quite a bit of cowl shake over bumps. I had the front end looked at by a knowledgeable shop, and they said everything seemed fine.

Is this just typical of the Backdraft ride and handling, or do I have to explore further?

Thanks as always.

Bill

[Grey 65]

No, this is not normal.

Did you have it aligned? Did you have the wheels balanced?

Kevin....

[Bill Bulmer]

Thanks Kevin, I have done neither to date, if you don't think that is normal, I certainly will.

[8litercobra]

Thought I would share a recent experience that might help.... I put a set of Avon CR6ZZs on some new Vintage pin drive wheels. Had them balanced, but still had too much vibration. Read a bit about Hunter equipment, and their "road force" balance. The Hunter site has a search function that shows local shops with the proper equipment. Went and had the road force balance done - problem solved. Drives very smoothly, no vibration problems, even at speeds well in excess of posted limits!

I'm guessing that the limited production tires have more variance than the machine constructed tires, but that's just a guess. Others here will know more about that than I.

I don't know if any of your issue might be a hard to balance tire, but if it is, that is another path to try.

[Bill Bulmer]

Thank you 8liter, I think that is worth a try, I have located a nearby dealer.

[tocheck]

Bill, I am also a new owner this year (2012 BDR). I can't speak to wheel balance issues but my car also had excessive cowl shake. The frame that is under the dash that the windshield and steering column mount to is bolted together and not a weldment. All of my bolts were loose, including the steering column bracket. I tightened everything up (including the bolts to the frame rails) and it made a big improvement. I still think the cowl shake is more than it should be, so this winter I am going to look into stiffening things up.

I would add that I was very careful about over tightening the windshield frame bolts. The way it is mounted I was afraid i could actually stress the glass by going too much.

Hope this helps.

[Bill Bulmer]

That is actually hugely helpful information, tocheck, I will be crawling under there this afternoon to take a look. Thank you.

[BDR0572]

@Bill Bulmer--just me but I always come here first to research problems , great bunch here.

[Bill Bulmer]

Outstanding bunch of guys, I can't say enough!!

[MBE]

I am also a new owner of a Classic Roadster that was finished in 2015. How is the steering on your cars? Mine is manual and steers very hard as the three piece steering shaft binds up from what I assume to be a u joint problem. I had posted on here some time ago about the problem and have made the suggested changes but I am still fighting the hard steering and binding problem. I have a light aluminum block engine so I don't think that it is too much weight on the wheels causing the problem.
My car was bought with just 91 miles on the odometer, my view is that the builder "set" the car together and did not finish it or drive it to finish the minor details.

[Bill Bulmer]

Actually my steering is not too hard for manual steering car, although there is a lot of turns lock to lock from my perspective. I do not sense any binding like you did.

Mainly though, to me the whole front end actually feels kind of loose and sloppy, especially on bumpy roads. I had it checked and nothing was found wrong or loose. I am running a 351/427 with aluminum heads.