econo-fix for front suspension

[jwinkler]

After lots of help from this group, here and on the brake help thread, I've got the car back on the ground, and as the picture indicates, what a difference!

It finally took a spring compressor to get the big springs out, but the new (right-sized) ones went in with no problem, then it was on to the brakes and re-torquing everything to spec. Now I've just got to clean the plugs so she'll start, and we'll see how the new brakes and front suspension works!

Thanks again,

JLW

[petek]

Way to go! There isn't anything quite like putting the shorter springs in to bring a smile to your face (but only after having to pull the too long springs out)!

After re-reading the thread I noticed that DV says the trailing strut rod (or drag strut as I called it) isn't necessary????

Tell me more, tell me more!

[cobra427mnsi]

Petek

I don't think that DV was referring to the strut rod ( that trailing arm that goes from the frame to the lower control arm). He was talking about the torsion bar( that 1" bar that runs from left lower control arm across in front of the rad to the right lower control arm). I removed mine on DV's advice because I didn't like the looks of it and I wanted to line the large front opening with aluminium which was easier to do without that big ugly bar running right through it. Removing it does not seem to have affected the handling at all. Mind you, I don't race with my car. I don't know if it would make a difference if I were to race it around those orange cones.

I think you can remove that "strut rod" if you had a certain type of tubular lower control arms. I have seen it done. I don't know if it can be removed for all types of tubular arms though. I am attaching a pic.

[Whaler]

Cobra427mnsi

Can I ask u something about the quick jacks in your photo?
Do they go on with the ear to the outside like yours, or to the insidelike others.

I have seen both and want to know, as mine will go on soon after its painted.

thx

Tim

[cobra427mnsi]

Whaler

At DVSF I and DVSF II, I have seen them on both ways. Attached is a pic of CSX 3022, the quick jacks appear to be on the way they are on my car. Hope this helps.

Paul

[cobra427mnsi]

Whaler

Sorry the pic is so small. I got it off of the Great Lakes Cobra Club site. Here is the link. http://www.greatlakescobra.com/pages....cfm?getrow=37

[petek]

Paul,

Ok, I understand.

Funny, I removed the antiroll bar to see how I liked the handling. Steering seemed lighter but the tires didn't seem to bite as well.

So I decided to re-install the antiroll bar.

Did you know that if you try REAL HARD you CAN install the bar back into the car with the bar upside down. I had the bar back in, the mounts back in, and then discovered I there was just no way I was going to be able to install the links from the bar to the A-arms.

I've gotten fairly skilled at installing and removing that silly antiroll bar!

[cobra427mnsi]

Pete

I won't be able to install the anti-roll bar any more. To get it out, I had to cut it in two. Its called commitment or burning your bridges behind you. There is no going back now.

Pete, I have been following your build on your sight. Very nice work. Thorough job of documentation too! Hope to meet you at DVSF III.

Paul

[petek]

Oh yeah, cut it in two, take the easy way out!

With a little luck I will be at the Fling. Look for a tall dorky looking guy with a short cute blonde wife.

Of course my Cobra will be easy to spot, it's the blue one with the white stripe!