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  #1 (permalink)  
Old 10-17-2001, 05:39 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Duluth, GA
Cobra Make, Engine: Unique 427SC, Southern Automotive "Super FE" - 452ci FE390 Monster!
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Default Floor to Frame Height Difference

Quick question from a newbie.

I noticed this weekend that the rear driver side of my Cobra looks a little low. I checked all the tires and they are evenly set. I did a frame to floor measurement at each corner this evening and came up with the following:

driver front: 6 3/4"
passenger front: 6 3/4" - 7"

driver rear: 8"
passenter rear: 8 1/2"

I only used a tape measure, so there's a little play in those numbers. I'm planning to take the car in for a complete lookover, but as I'm trying to learn to diagnose and fix problems thought I would ask the experts!

Thanks
Jason
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Old 10-17-2001, 06:14 PM
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Location: Virginia, USA, VA
Cobra Make, Engine: Genuine original Unique MotorCars 427 S/C, with a Genuine original Ford 427 Side-oiler.
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Jason,

A couple things to consider:

First, were you looking at the fenderwell to tire clearance when you first noticed the difference? Unique's body molds trace back to an original Cobra body, which were hand formed, therefore your body is not exactly symmetrical. I have about 1/2" more clearance on one side than the other, I don't recall which is higher.

Second, where you measure frame to floor, did you check the floor? It is extremely rare to have a concrete floor which is flat over any appreciable area. Use a long rigid straightedge and a good level to check the floor, paying attention to where each tire sits and each measuring point.
A surface plate and wheel scales are needed to really set up the suspension accurately.

I found my frame to be very accurate as far as any twist front to rear.

Good luck,
David
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David
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Old 10-18-2001, 11:47 AM
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David

Thank you for the thoughts. When I noticed the difference, I was looking at the rear of the car in the garage and it was that visually the driver side looked to ride lower. At that point I checked all the tire pressures and finally measured the frame to floor and noticed the difference. I haven't measured wheel to well yet, but visually they look the same.

I checked the garage floor and it does slope slightly towards the driver side when parked. However, shouldn't the floor to frame measurement be the same on both sides even with a slight slope, just that the angle of the frame would match the angle of the floor?

Maybe it's a setting in the suspension

Jason
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Old 10-18-2001, 12:57 PM
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Cobra Make, Engine: Factory Five W/ R block Stroker, Twin Turbos.
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Default

I had a ride height difference on my Cobra after about 1500 miles or so. Lower on the driver's side, I guess due to the fact that I was driving without a passenger a lot. The driver's side was about 1/2 inch lower. I just adjusted the spring on the rear by 1/4 turn (1 full turn = about 2 inches) and on the coilover on the front. Has remained even now for an additional 2000 miles.

After trying to measure the distance from the frame to the floor (on my FFR that is only 5 -1/2 inches, I verified that I could do the same measuring from the floor to the top of the wheel well flare and get the same result. Much easier. Of course, if the body is not symmetrical that might not work for you.

Later,

Mike
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