Handling problems

yellow427cobra · #1 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 11:10 AM

Ok, here w ego again, I need some help here.

I have been playing around but do not get anywhere. On my Lone Star I have big problems with the front end handling.

I took it to several aligment places and finally the word is that I do not have any front suspention. That in turn will make the car bounce all over the road. It does make sense since I replace the 40 series tyres that I had with a 60 series and it got a little better. Anyway, far from good. So, I'm not happy. The shocks that I used are Aldan and I have to look up the spring rate. It is what ever LS gave me. Now, my question is: The weight of the car is about 1300 LBS with out driver in front and 1400 LBS in the rear. What springs do I need to use to get a good starting point?

The rear seems to have some suspention but the front none at all.

Thank you for your help and advice.

Thomas K.

RallySnake · #2 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 11:35 AM

Thomas,

Man that sounds dangerous! I use KYB shocks because of the automatic feature. the faster and harder you drive, the firmer they get. The Aldan shocks are adjustable aren't they? Have you tried firming them up? The other thing is looseness caused by worn parts. Have you tried putting the car on a lift (or jackstands) and having someone push the wheels in every direction while you watch closely underneath? This is the BEST diagnostic for suspension problems.

Have you talked to Lone Star about this? They have a great reputation for customer service and that whole in-house-you-build-it-with-our-help thing. They should know your car better than anyone. What do they recommend?

Paul

Woodz428 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 12:01 PM

That does sound like too stiff a spring or non functioning shock. Iwould remove them, check the shock movement and spring rate, it's possible the wrong spring was shipped in error. I'm betting on the spring rate.

yellow427cobra · #4 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 12:09 PM

Thank you all,

to answer some questions first, LS does do it's best but I'm in MN and there are in TX. I think that there just do not know. The car has about 500 miles on it and wuild with all new components. So the worn parts plan is out. Aldan shocks are adjustable and I even callend Aldan but there was no help either.

So, back to the drawing board, what do I need to do to make it safe?

Thanks TK

Woodz428 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 12:49 PM

When I was referring to non functioning shocks i wasn't meaning worn out. I've seen shocks that sat so long that they wouldn't move. But as I stated I'm thinking too stiff springs. When it's jacked up do the wheels/tires move downward? If so you might try adjusting the spring adjuster to it's lowest setting to see if you get some motion when it's on the ground. You said you looked up the spring rate but didn't post what they were. Trans Am Mustangs (which were far heavier cars) used 720lbs per inch springs so you should need less. They were of course very heavily sprung and not your daily driver ride.

RallySnake · #6 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 12:55 PM

Thomas,

Is is possible that you mixed up the front and rear coilovers? I checked the Lone Star website and they have a very good explaination of adjusting the shock firmness. Click here: http://home.flash.net/~jwoodard/ then click on "Cobra construction", then on "coilover shocks/spindles".

Paul

yellow427cobra · #7 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 01:21 PM

Thanks again,

I wrote that I have to look the spring rate up again. Not that I did. However, since the car weights 1300 LBS in front and 1400 LBS in the rear what rate do the springs need to be?

No, there is no way that I mixed up the springs this the 3rd set that I have gotten from LS and it is still not good or even close.

The web site is referencing different shock assemblys and the using standard springs. Not much help there.

Thanks again

TK

RallySnake · #8 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 06:37 PM

Thomas,

Usually the front springs are about twice as stiff as the rear springs. But that depends on where they are attached to the suspension arms. You need help from someone who has been through this with a LoneStar.

Try creating a new post in the "ALL COBRA TALK" forum and name it, "Anyone Know How to Setup a LoneStar Suspension?" It might stimulate more interest.

Paul

dscott · #9 (**permalink**) 08-04-2003, 03:47 PM

TK, this may sound really stupid but it's worth a look. The Lone Star car was originally very close to the Classic Roadsters. On the Classic car the front sway bar can be put in upside down which will make the front suspension almost solid. If you have a sway bar I would check the installation and make sure you do have travel. On the Classic car it is obvious when it's installed wrong but you don't know it untill you have no suspension travel. On the Classic car I use a 375 lb coilover spring on the front and a 250 on the back. Good luck.
Don

Roger Upton · #10 (**permalink**) 08-04-2003, 04:31 PM

Thomas

Jack your car up and rest in on jack stands. Then remove the shocks completely. Then you should be able to move the suspension up and down by hand or at least jack it in an upward motion with a jack. These way you will know wither you are having a shock or spring problem or a suspension linkage bind problem. Your front spring rate should be close to 400 for the street and not over 550 for the track.

Hope this helps.

Roger