97'Cobra weak points

DavidF

New Member

Nov 19, 2003

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Ventura, Ca

Jan 28, 2004

#1

• Jan 28, 2004

• #1

A friend of mine is looking to buy a 97’ Cobra. Besides the normal things you look for in a used car is there any known weak points he should look for before purchasing it? Thanks.

 

N

Nate14120

New Member

Oct 26, 2003

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Jan 28, 2004

#2

• Jan 28, 2004

• #2

Well, you shouldlook under the front bumper to see if they have bumbed many curbs while parking. That usually reflects how the car has been treated. Also, make sure the tranny shifts well in high rpm's and that reverse works good. Listen for any ticking sounds from the engine compartment because these beasts are known for a tension pully going bad.

 

yellow5.0cobra

Founding Member

Jul 25, 2002

2,849

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In the garage, On the floor.

Jan 28, 2004

#3

• Jan 28, 2004

• #3

That does not reflect how a car is treated, what if someone had a steep driveway? Or went to fast food resteraunts with steep driveways too?

Thats NOT a sign of treatment.

 

SVTdriver

Founding Member

Sep 2, 2001

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Seattle Wa

Jan 29, 2004

#4

• Jan 29, 2004

• #4

Check the rear swaybar. Those things break with an alarming frequency. I'm working on number 3 in 4 years. Definately check the trannies ability to shift between 1st and 2nd.

 

yellow5.0cobra

Founding Member

Jul 25, 2002

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In the garage, On the floor.

Jan 29, 2004

#5

• Jan 29, 2004

• #5

SVTdriver said:

Check the rear swaybar. Those things break with an alarming frequency. I'm working on number 3 in 4 years. Definately check the trannies ability to shift between 1st and 2nd.

Click to expand...

Im right there with ya.

2 in a year.

 

kleinstang

New Member

Jan 11, 2004

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Jan 30, 2004

#6

• Jan 30, 2004

• #6

There's a cherry one for sale at the NorCal Shelby site:

http://www.norcal-saac.org/ads/carpart.htm

My worst problem (starting at 4000 miles) with my 97 Cobra has been the rear end. I've replaced everything from axles through pinon at least twice. Also: one clutch, one swaybar, IMRC control, belt tensioner and idler, the CD player.

 

Str8Pimp'n

Founding Member

Apr 7, 2002

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Str8 outta Compton...

Jan 30, 2004

#7

• Jan 30, 2004

• #7

May have been a fluke on my car, but once I had an axle seal go bad. It's easy to spot. Look for any gear oil leaking out of the tubes, it will also coat the inside of the rim. I caught the problem before it lost fluid completely.

 

DavidF

New Member

Nov 19, 2003

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Ventura, Ca

Jan 30, 2004

#8

• Jan 30, 2004

• #8

SVTdriver said:

Check the rear swaybar. Those things break with an alarming frequency. I'm working on number 3 in 4 years. Definately check the trannies ability to shift between 1st and 2nd.

Click to expand...

I drive a 95' vert, and about a week ago my rear swaybar broke. I thought it was just a fluke. Now is this a problem with after market swaybars as well?

 

SVTdriver

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Sep 2, 2001

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Seattle Wa

Jan 30, 2004

#9

• Jan 30, 2004

• #9

Depends onwhich aftermarket one you get. But from what I've heard. Most aftermarket ones are solid not hollow. Which is supposed to help. Though every one that I have heard of breaking broke in the solid mounting area. Mine and my friends have all torn through the bolt holes.

 

DavidF

New Member

Nov 19, 2003

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Ventura, Ca

Jan 30, 2004

#10

• Jan 30, 2004

• #10

SVTdriver said:

Mine and my friends have all torn through the bolt holes.

Click to expand...

Thats where mine broke also. Could this be more of a problem with the stock control arms flexing or somthing?

 

yellow5.0cobra

Founding Member

Jul 25, 2002

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In the garage, On the floor.

Jan 30, 2004

#11

• Jan 30, 2004

• #11

Yea I also snapped my STEEDA sway bar as well. Going on #3.

 

SVTdriver

Founding Member

Sep 2, 2001

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Seattle Wa

Jan 30, 2004

#12

• Jan 30, 2004

• #12

It could be a problem with the control arms flexing.

 

darkhorse1

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Jun 21, 2002

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Indiana

Jan 30, 2004

#13

• Jan 30, 2004

• #13

I ripped my passenger side upper control arm almost completely off,it had 2 factory spot welds holding it on.ended up costing $450 to fix that,and had to re-place all the bushings in my control arms.

 

yellow5.0cobra

Founding Member

Jul 25, 2002

2,849

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In the garage, On the floor.

Jan 31, 2004

#14

• Jan 31, 2004

• #14

PS: I got full steeda suspension, minus 5link.


Never ever had a problem like this in my 94... or 82.. or any mustang I owned, cept for this one.

 

doogz

Founding Member

Apr 11, 2002

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London, UK

Feb 1, 2004

#15

• Feb 1, 2004

• #15

Yellow - Make sure your friend can get a test drive in the car. If he is driving or the owner is driving, make sure it's revved past 5k and a quick shift from 1st to 2nd. This is not going to hurt the engine/tranny if done correctly. You don't have to powershift it or slam it hard, just shift quickly at above 5k. If it grinds, you might want to pass or get it checked out.

Also, the engine sounds like a sewwing machine, it's normal!

 

S

spanky442

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Feb 3, 2004

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Feb 3, 2004

#16

• Feb 3, 2004

• #16

The rear end on my 97 leaks. I fixed it twice allready and it is leaking again. The leather sucks in these cars too. Also my car only has 25k miles. I bought it brand new and baby it. The black paint on radio button are wearing out and the trim around the radio. Car has been overall good, my 93 I think it a much better built car.

 

Craig Mack

Busted Buffing the Bishop

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Mar 9, 2002

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Lake Mary, FL

Feb 3, 2004

#17

• Feb 3, 2004

• #17

doogz said:

Also, the engine sounds like a sewwing machine, it's normal!

Click to expand...

Ok, PHEW. I've been wondering about this for sometime now.