CR rearend problems

[G.R.]

I just met a guy this weekend that owns a CR. He told me that he had problems with his rearend rubbing the tires when he put his foot to the throttle. He is a newbie owner, not a mechanic type, not a CC member yet. He asked me if I knew what might be wrong. I looked at his rear suspension and he had what I would call "stock shocks" on the rear axle. Just a quick exam.
I told him that he ought to change the shocks out to coilovers and that the shocks he had may be history.
Any ideas I might convey to him?

[HI Cobra]

Sounds about right to me. I had that problem on mine
and replaced the originals with coil overs. It would
bottom out on the right rear on bridge bumps etc. Found
out that shock was blown on the compression stroke - it
didn't bounce but did bottom easily. Rides much better and
no more bottoming out or rubbing. I left the original coil
springs in. My tires are only 235 r60 15" Michilon Pilots.

Hope this helps.

[G.R.]

Kip has no coilovers front or rear. I'll see him on Sat. Does anyone know the aprox rearend weight on a CR? So I can give him an aprox spring rate size for new coilovers. He has a nice stroked 302 and T-5, pretty basic CR, silver w/ black.

Flip... he has pretty much the same problem, thanks for the info

[CobraEd]

The stock springs are Way Way soft. I called Ed Combs (DV) and he told me about a company who's name I forgot that sell aftermarket springs. I put in the new springs (had to cut off a few coils) that are 250lbs /inch. I also added drag shocks. The carnever bottoms out now and rides firm but good like a Cobra should.

Hope this helps.

CobraEd

[dscott]

3 problems I can think of. If the tires he's running are pretty wide he may be rubbing on the door latch cover. If you look in the rear wheel well you can see if that's where the tire is rubbing. Make sure he isn't rubbing on the outside on the wheel arch. You should be able to see on the tire if that's where it's rubbing. If it's bottoming out then the springs are the culprit. You can replace the rear springs with 225 lb Blue Coils. You may need to cut a couple of coils off for good ride height. If he wants coil overs I use Pro-Shocks 630SR with a 250lb spring. You will need to space the shocks out about an 1 1/2", I have the shocks and the spacers if he wants to buy from me. I also stock the blue coils.
Don

[CobraEd]

Yeah, mine are blue. And come to think of it, they are 225lb, not 250. They work well.

[Jack21]

Here's another suggestion.

My rear springs are Moog replacements for a Chevette. No cutting, they just slipped right in. They're progressively wound for carrying more weight. Pn 663 (or 633) if I recall, if they are still available. Think I paid about $70 for the pair at auto parts store.

Using Koni rear shocks. Koni's were cross referenced to original VW and Monroe part #'s in assembly manual.

Setup works quite well which is why I haven't converted to coil-overs.

Cobras weigh ~2,450# +/- with ~50/50 weight distribution. So, figure ~600/650#/wheel for spring selection.

[G.R.]

Thanks everyone I just printed all this off and will give it to Kip.
This place is great when you need info or have a problem

[Art Burtt]

The only problem I have with my CR rear end is,it wants to come around and kiss the front end under extreme acceleration. LOL