rear end bearing problem with Shell Valley

[Dwight]

Saturday Mike and I jumped into his Shell Valley Coupe and drove to Athens, 40 miles away, to a car show. We got 4 miles from the show and a rear wheel bearing went out. We called a tow truck and got the Coupe back to my shop. Mike removed the axles and found the right rear bearing destroyed. Today (Monday) Eddie (our local Ford mechanic ) dropped by and check out the rear end. This is his email to me.

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Dwight:
Just completed checking out my Shell Valley nine inch rear end with the destroyed driver side rear wheel bearing. Eddie, our very competent Ford mechanic was witness to the problem. Using a framing square and short accurate six inch ruler we were able to measure the amount of discrepancy in the welded flange ends. The drivers side flange, with the framing square tight up against it (parallel) and the 90 degree leg of the ruler running parallel to the nine inch tube, is angles out 3/16 of an inch in 12 inches. In other words the flange has been welded on so crooked and angled that from the end of the tube back twelve inches instead of being dead on it is 3/16 of an inch off of parallel. This is what caused my rear bearing to burn up before I have had 900 miles on this coupe. The passenger side is off 1/8 of an inch in twelve inches.
This is another example of the incompetence of the Shell Valley people. What if this bearing had burned up at speed?
Mike

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I emailed the story about our Saturday trip to all the Cobra guys in our area and received this email from Jeff


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FYI
I have a Shell Valley rear end and when I was putting the piece of shxt together found out that the bearing races are .060 to .075 out of round. Reasoning: Whoever welded the races on, shorten the housing, applied way to much heat. My cobra will not roll, the right rear tire just drags because the bearing is being squeezed plus the offset is off by .020 in the wrong direction. So now I have to mill .030 off the out side brake pad. So I call the F'er's at Shell Valley and Dana told me that I am out of the 30 day purchase window ( who in the hell builds a car in 30 days ) and that they would not help me. Funny thing is after I paid CASH,,, it took S/V almost four months to deliver the frame and 9" rear end. I am so disappointed these guys remind me of CMC out of Miami FL. years ago. This is not right.
jg

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The problems Mike has had with this Shell Valley Coupe kit would take a month to list.

Has anyone had the same problem with the Shell Valley rear end? If you have a Shell Valley nine inch rear end in your car I would check it. This problem could have wrecked us if we had been driving 60-70 mph on the highway. Luckily we were doing 40 mph and got stopped quickly.

Dwight

[rustyBob]

........Toss that S/V housing and get one from Currie and your problem of dealing with S/V is cured as well as the bearing problem.

[Dwight]

Today I got an email from a friend who had the same problem 4 years ago. He call and told Dana about the problem at that time.


update:
Mike called Dana today and Shell Valley agreed to pay the tow bill, bearings, seals, grease and ship Mike two new Mosler flanges. They agreed to pay a local shop here to repair the rear end.

Dwight

[ratsnst1]

Make sure they send you the bigger size flanges, I think they are 3/4 inch I bought a currie housing and re did mine, the shell valley kit is not a bad kit for the money , you just need to keep a good eye on things as it goes togather, and make the car the way you want it, thats what I did, I used all different brakes , rear end, steering system, raidator, just about everything, I just used the frame, and it came out pretty good.

[rooster]

Dwight, What year was Mike's shell valley? I have a 2001 and now i wonder how mine is but it's in storage for the winter. Weren't the axles tough to get in being that far off?
Thanks for any info you can give me. Russ

[Dwight]

Mike's Shell Valley Coupe was bought last year. Shell Valley narrows their own rear ends. This problem goes back at least four years. I have had several personal email from people with this same problem. They also narrowed Mike's rear end to much, he had to install 1/2" spacers on each side to correct the problem. Shell Valley has very poor quality control.

If I had a Shell Valley rear end I would check it.

Dwight

[Shell Valley]

Dwight,
I don’t know you, and to my knowledge we’ve never even talked to each other. It baffles me as to why you feel the need to badmouth me and my company on this forum.

I refuse to get into a pissing match on here, but I’ve read too much here to just sit back and take it.

I am well aware of the problems Mike has had with his coupe. There were a couple of communication problems, a couple of application problems and a couple of things that we just screwed up. It’s a custom built car - it happens. I also know that whenever Mike has approached me with a problem, I’ve bent over backwards to make it right – whether it was our fault or not!

As for the rear end problem, we now know that we had some bad end flanges and a few rear ends left here out of tolerance. I’ve personally fixed a couple by spending a few minutes with a barrel sander to bring the race into tolerance. We have since eliminated the problem by switching to Moser flanges. I offered a solution to Mike and also to Jeff. Mike took me up on one of my possible solutions and I’m still waiting to hear back from Jeff.

BOTTOM LINE – If you have a Shell Valley and have questions – call or e-mail me!

svdana@megavision.com 1-888-246-0900

Dana

[Dwight]

Dana
I was riding with Coach when the bearing "blew" out. I'm the one that could have been hurt. And when I found out that this problem was brought to your attention four years ago and you have not corrected it, well I had to say something.

All kits have their problems. I have never seen a perfect kit. If the hood does not close correctly, well you can live with that. But when a part that fails can cause a wreck or endanger ones life, you have a responsibly to correct it immediately.

Sorry if I hurt your feelings.

Dwight

[blykins]

Since you don't own a Shell Valley, shouldn't you let the owner of the car fight his own fight?

If Dana says he'll make it right, then I believe him. However, I don't see where it's your job to "warn" everyone and call Shell Valley out on it publically.

[treblig]

blykins,
Until you go through the growing pains of building a cobra you will never understand this thread . Rework puts projects behind schedule, over budget and demises dreams. However I have been in the aircraft and now rocket launch vehicle industry for 30 years. I have served and completed a Pattern Maker, Tool and Die, and Machinist apprenticeship which should quality me as a “Systems Matter Expert” (SME) . I have also owned a chopper shop where I built and design choppers for customers that had some wild dreams. This was a losing battle due to EBay and internet however my quality was there due to word of mouth and not by a popular web site. I am now a senior manage over a fabrication division that protects America from foreign aggression.
My heart ache started back in 1991 when I bought a Classic Motors Company (CMC) cobra and found out the hard way on scams / non deliverables. This was a time in my life where I was bring up three kids, a wife, house payment, and car payment,,, the american way,,, loving life, funds were short .
Eighteen years later I am still working / pouring money into this project because of people / companies took advantage of others by not standing by their product. So to summarize this issue; if you want to start and sell products to the public you need to be very aware of “word of mouth” syndrome. I am ashamed of my response to Shell Valley on the name calling but I was every upset,,, there goes other $1000.00,,, decisions, decisions,, should I just burn this car and stop pouring money into it or should I try and finish my dream? I want to finish my dream however if I pay the market price for hardware, I expect a quality product that will not set me back another $1000.00 enough is enough. People need to know what is out there and companies that produce an inferred product that does not meet the, FIT, FORM and FUNCTION. They need to change their ways or close up and go home. Do not cover your ass because you want to make it right just make it right by supplying a quality product to the public so I don’t have to spend my Friday night explaining. Sorry it had to be said!!!!!!!!!

[blykins]

Treblig,

Just because I don't have it listed in my profile doesn't mean that I haven't built or owned a Cobra. I bought a kit from Shell Valley back in 2003. I've also been a member of Club Cobra since 2001, and with over 4000 posts, you can about bet that I understand the "growing pains" of building a Cobra.

Anytime you put a car together from the frame up, you will run into problems. I'm helping a buddy with a frame-up resto of a '65 Nova SS. I'm trying to get him to understand that even when you use the same factory parts, sometimes it doesn't go together like lego blocks.

Things happen, everyone knows that.

I own my own business, selling drivetrain parts. When you start working for yourself, you see things in a little different light. I'm not saying that anyone is exempt of questioning in this case, but I think it was unprofessional how it was handled on a public forum, and I think most of the talking should have been from the owner of the car.

[NBWW]

Originally Posted by blykins

Since you don't own a Shell Valley, shouldn't you let the owner of the car fight his own fight?

If Dana says he'll make it right, then I believe him. However, I don't see where it's your job to "warn" everyone and call Shell Valley out on it publically.

Since you don't know anything about Dwight, maybe you should let him figure out what he needs to post!
The problem with the housing ends is inexcusable and point to shade tree fab work w/o a housing alignment tool. It's especially evident because there is more than 1 built this way.

[blykins]

Your first post being a "back up" to someone else's post doesn't hold any clout with me at all, nor will it with anyone else on this forum.

No, I don't know anything about Dwight, but really that doesn't make a hill of beans difference here.

Listen guys, I'm not saying there is nothing wrong with the cars. Dana has got on here and spoke his peace. He seems willing to help out with the issues.

However, what I do have a problem with is people posting emails that really dog someone's company, and for that matter, someone else fighting another party's battle.

This isn't my battle either, I just wanted to point out some unprofessionalism among grown adults.

That's all I'm going to add to this thread.

[lineslinger]

Originally Posted by NBWW

Since you don't know anything about Dwight, maybe you should let him figure out what he needs to post!
The problem with the housing ends is inexcusable and point to shade tree fab work w/o a housing alignment tool. It's especially evident because there is more than 1 built this way.

NBWW
Been reading this all the way through.
I know Brent and have had some minor biz interaction with him a while back.

He's a stand up guy and folks on this forum know it.

Most first posts are introductions, questions, and a hello to CC forum members, your intents are..well..obvious.

Your transparent first post here does nothing but detract from any valid points you so poorly attempted to endorse.

Something with a form of sincerity might serve you better.

[NBWW]

Originally Posted by lineslinger

NBWW
Been reading this all the way through.
I know Brent and have had some minor biz interaction with him a while back.

He's a stand up guy and folks on this forum know it.

Most first posts are introductions, questions, and a hello to CC forum members, your intents are..well..obvious.

Your transparent first post here does nothing but detract from any valid points you so poorly attempted to endorse.

Something with a form of sincerity might serve you better.

I understand it was a lame 1st post. I don't really spend much time here, rather on ffcobra.com. Same user name.

I can say the same about Dwight and do not agree with your buddy's interjection.

I don't care about any "clout". That's the status quo statement to a single poster who disagrees with a 4k poster.

I was quite sincere. It was transparent...because I'm fairly transparent.

blykins post was actually very rude imo not knowing before he speaks how many many hours D has put in that Coupe and so many other Cobras.

How's that for #2 ?

I did not wish to carry this further off topic. Your points are made. My point was made. So unless you feel the need to get the last word as rebuttal; the SV crappy fab job was the topic.

[Dwight]

the issue that I want to address is safety, Freedom from danger or injury.

If a Cobra wrecks, is cost all of us. Insurance, stricter state regulation, etc. PLUS someone we know gets hurt or killed.

Dana was told about this problem at least four years ago and has been told several times, to my knowledge, since then. Four year ago he told one of his customers, they (SV) did not have an axle narrowing jig for the 9" rear ends. By the looks of Mike's rear end, they have not bought one or don't use it. You can buy them on Ebay for about $300 delivered. Or you can purchase one from a retail store for $430 plus shipping. It takes 15 to 30 minutes to use one correctly.

Two years ago a local Shell Valley was sold into Florida. The buyer contacted me and told me a story about had bad he had beat his buddy's Vette. I do not know how fast they were going, but from the story I would say well over a hundred. WHAT if a bearing failed that day? Here is a guy that bought a finished Cobra thinking it's as safe as a new Ford, Chevy. After all, it only had 500 miles on it. When we build a car and sell it, it should be as safe as we can make it.

Mike's bearing blew out, tearing the seal out and the grease ran down the rim into the street.
I was in the car.

I did not start this post to put someone out of business. It is so easy to buy the correct tools and use them. Kit car have problems, lot of problems. I have worked on a lot of different Cobras in the last eight years. I love solving the problems, love working on the cars. It's my hobby.

Blykins I don't understand your logic on this post but I have read maybe a thousand of your other posts. I respect you and your knowledge on cars and motors. I have in the past taken your advise, I'm sure I will in the future.

I'm not good with words, especially the written word. It takes me a long time to write a post because I have to look up the meaning of words, use the spell checker, etc. But I hope I have communicated my concerts about this problem.


Dwight

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RL:MOTORS:1123

[Dirty Harry]

Don't want to upset people or take sides, but I will point out that I got my shortened rear axle housing from Shell Valley. I assembled it with a mixture of parts from various sources and it has performed flawlessly for 15 years of highway use and several autocross events.

Not to say that the other gentleman did not have problems, but simply to point out that SV also has some very satisfied customers.

[Sminor]

Hey guys,
I don't want to minimize the safety issue, but these are hand built, in most cases highly modified, high performance cars. Everything in the drive train of these vehicles are highly stressed and subject to failure at any speed.
It appears that at some point, SV had a quality control problem. Who among us has not had a drivetrain component break on a vehicle made by Ford, GM, Chrysler, ect ? When I've broken transmissions,rear -ends, ect in production cars, I've never recieved the personal customer service I've recieved from Dana and some of the other guys at SV. And guess what ? I didn't buy my SV new from SV........I bought it from Brent and both of them, in my opinion, are honest and forthright in every way.
Someday I hope to buy a coupe to go with my 427 Roadster and if Dana is still around, I plan to buy it from him. Just my 2 cents. God bless,
steve

[treblig]

Sorry, been out of town on business. I agree with everything that has been said positives and negatives. However the root cause / bottom line is when you know you have an issue you need to fix it. When I bought my frame there was no internet or at least information sites just two page color ads in Kit Car ( CMC,,,, all you old dogs know what I mean). I have also five boxes of kit car mag. (going back to 1986) on different builds,,, why,, well it was the only way to research and build at that time. When a customer gives an opportunity to make things right but that person or company choose to go the cheap route (dollars) and not make things right it is time to bring the awareness to the public. Kirk Scott and I have talked many hours on CMC. Topic of discussion was how we could bring justice not only to the people but to the industry and the main focus was the industry. I can remember when the word “KIT CAR” meant a Bradley GT on a VW frame, times have changed!! This industry has come a long way, cars are just outstanding so why taint with bad product, go fix the problems and make things right.

So when can I put a new roof on your house to fix that leak or solve the water problem around your foundation?

This post is killing me because I started with a Midstates and now I have a Shell Valley.
What is my investment worth today??? I took a bullet (maybe 15K) by posting my knowledge or experience for awareness,,,,,,, newbie’s you own me!!! This will be my last and final response to this thread.

[lineslinger]

Originally Posted by NBWW

I understand it was a lame 1st post. I don't really spend much time here, rather on ffcobra.com. Same user name.

I can say the same about Dwight and do not agree with your buddy's interjection.

I don't care about any "clout". That's the status quo statement to a single poster who disagrees with a 4k poster.

I was quite sincere. It was transparent...because I'm fairly transparent.

blykins post was actually very rude imo not knowing before he speaks how many many hours D has put in that Coupe and so many other Cobras.

How's that for #2 ?

I did not wish to carry this further off topic. Your points are made. My point was made. So unless you feel the need to get the last word as rebuttal; the SV crappy fab job was the topic.

Weak.
Quite the self serving interpretation of my post and reads as such.
Your first offering into this discussion reads like some authoritative judgmental synopsis on others participating. Which it is.
I am not defending Blykins, he doesn't need it.
Indeed I sympathize with Dwight, to a degree.
I was addressing your blunt interjections of oversight and finality, since you decided to step in it first.

I thank you for the offering allowing me to fulfill my need for a last word rebuttal, mighty considerate and much appreciated.