Cobra running gear

[Purple AK]

That is Scarey! Let's hope it comes with a man in front carrying a red flag! Seriously, One would hope that Sva should pick it up

[Paul Gayter]

If the top of the suspension was just an A frame I would have no worries about the setup, but as the whole suspension force is going through that drag link coupling and the strangely fragile looking pivot I would have many worries.

This is a dreadfully suspect design, the forces that this coupling was designed for are parallel to the centerline of the thread not at ninety degrees. The fact that the joint can also rotate in the A frame without positive keying is also a worry.

But then, hey, I won't be driving in it.

Time for a little thought I think.

Paul.

[Paul Gayter]

Originally Posted by dave

Exactly!
Looks like a Transit drag link.

On a super seven it's not a problem as the forces are passed through the lower wishbone and all the top one does is control the camber....And they are a lot lighter than a Cob.
Here is a load bearing top wishbone on a GD T70 that I'm building. A much more substantial top ball joint arrangement.

Andy doesn't muck about where mechanical design is concerned, that is the way to do it!

[Purple AK]

Originally Posted by Paul Gayter

If the top of the suspension was just an A frame I would have no worries about the setup, but as the whole suspension force is going through that drag link coupling and the strangely fragile looking pivot I would have many worries.

This is a dreadfully suspect design, the forces that this coupling was designed for are parallel to the centerline of the thread not at ninety degrees. The fact that the joint can also rotate in the A frame without positive keying is also a worry.

But then, hey, I won't be driving in it.

Time for a little thought I think.

Paul.

The worry is it may be coming towards you on the same stretch of road

[Paul Gayter]

Very true Purple, 52 must have been a good year.

It worries me greatly that such a design should be sold, I'm assuming that this is an available kit.

Whats the deal with inboard shocks anyway, they will be directly in the radiator outflow and very hot, I prefer my shocks to keep cool, OK unsprung weight is a design consideration but less so on a car with a lump checking in at 350Kg ++

Maybe I'm getting a little old.

Regards

Paul.

[mylesdw]

Here in NZ the certification process is administered through independant engineers and the New Zealand Hot Rod Association. They have a build manual 'bible' type technical book that lists many do's and don'ts for one-off and modified chassis. It specifically mentions that you must not use track rod ends as ball joints.

As to Paul Gayter's comment: I agree, I was always led to believe that inboard shocks where mainly for aerodynamic benefit. On a single seater, removing the shocks from the frontal area of the car reduces drag. On a bodied car it makes little difference.

[Purple AK]

Originally Posted by Paul Gayter

Very true Purple, 52 must have been a good year.

It worries me greatly that such a design should be sold, I'm assuming that this is an available kit.

Whats the deal with inboard shocks anyway, they will be directly in the radiator outflow and very hot, I prefer my shocks to keep cool, OK unsprung weight is a design consideration but less so on a car with a lump checking in at 350Kg ++

Maybe I'm getting a little old.

Regards

Paul.

Paul. Yes this is an available kit, It's merits have been discussed at length on another forum Which normally results in a locked thread! It is as yet, a proven product. I saw the prototype chassis a couple of years ago at one of the shows, and thought that dosn't look right. Because it was the first chassis, I didn't really take it on board. The pervayor of the kit is adament that it is the best Cobra kit to hit the market in recent years. He appears to have the backing of two of the three Kit Car mags!! I have said too much already

[mylesdw]

Originally Posted by dave

On a super seven it's not a problem as the forces are passed through the lower wishbone and all the top one does is control the camber....And they are a lot lighter than a Cob.

Surely even where the upper wishbone is not weight bearing you still get a large bending force under braking for which this type of joint was never designed?

[dave]

Originally Posted by mylesdw

Surely even where the upper wishbone is not weight bearing you still get a large bending force under braking for which this type of joint was never designed?

Good point, but the 7's have been using them for a long time and I have never heard of any problems and the forces under braking will be much less as they are around half the weight of an American V8 powered Cob.

It's comforting to see that other people are "Spooked" by that front suspension....I was begining to think I was going mad when I first saw it.

[dinosoar]

Looks to me like the reason the coil overs are inboard is because there wasn't room anywhere else.

Anyway, where are all the suggestions for alternative running gear?

Thanks Myles. Had thought about toyota supra stuff.

There were suggestions of using a dead triumph stag at the pub last night but this is probably because there is a guy there with one spare.

More thought needed.