I think something is wrong with my cobra =( (pic included)
- Thread starter fromadig91
- Start date
trinity_gt
10 Year Member
IRS 3rd member detonated in a most spectacular way.
OP: Were drag slicks and a high-RPM clutch dump involved? Or wheel hop/axle tramp?
trinity_gt
10 Year Member
Looks like a lot more than just that. It appears the housing is being supported by the exhaust pipes, meaning the casting broke a the mounting points. There's a great huge hole in the back of it as well as, of course, the dismembered driveshaft.
As carnage goes, this is pretty good. I'd hate to get the repair bill for it.
Steve491
Member
SaleenGT2001
Well-Known Member
OP: Were drag slicks and a high-RPM clutch dump involved? Or wheel hop/axle tramp?[/QUOTE]
No there was no slicks or high RPM clutch dumps involved. There was maybe a 1/8 of a second wheel hop, then a horrific POP....
Its sitting at my mechanic now and the rear diff seems to be intact and just fine minus the cover, however....the drive shaft snapped at the yolk, my questions is how does a driveshaft snap at the yolk when the rear diff is not locked up? I have pushed this car close to half a mile now.
Worst of all the "FULL" drive train warranty is being disputed, they took numerous amounts of photos and there was a SLIGHT, yes slight, amount of rubber in the wheels wells. If it is ruled as abuse I seriously don't know what to do. I cannot come close to affording a new rear end for this thing. I struggle to make payments as is being a college student.....
Anyone got some insight on this situation for me? How much would a SRA swap cost? how much are posi SRA units?
Anything I can do to dispute this abuse claim?
I honestly have no idea what to do at this point......
No there was no slicks or high RPM clutch dumps involved. There was maybe a 1/8 of a second wheel hop, then a horrific POP....
Its sitting at my mechanic now and the rear diff seems to be intact and just fine minus the cover, however....the drive shaft snapped at the yolk, my questions is how does a driveshaft snap at the yolk when the rear diff is not locked up? I have pushed this car close to half a mile now.
Worst of all the "FULL" drive train warranty is being disputed, they took numerous amounts of photos and there was a SLIGHT, yes slight, amount of rubber in the wheels wells. If it is ruled as abuse I seriously don't know what to do. I cannot come close to affording a new rear end for this thing. I struggle to make payments as is being a college student.....
Anyone got some insight on this situation for me? How much would a SRA swap cost? how much are posi SRA units?
Anything I can do to dispute this abuse claim?
I honestly have no idea what to do at this point......
SaleenGT2001
Well-Known Member
a warranty is almost worthless. they will find a way to void it if at all possible. if the car has been modded in ANY way you are SOL.
hit a junk yard and see what a 8.8 from a 99-04 is running. i'd think the swap could be done for around 500-900
hit a junk yard and see what a 8.8 from a 99-04 is running. i'd think the swap could be done for around 500-900
Can I use the drive shaft from the 00-04 GT as well? I have heard the swap is rather easy, but i'm still in need of a drive shaft and not to sure on that....
....doing stupid amounts of research now on rear ends, also the 00-04 GT's came with limited slip....do I reuse my diff? is the diff different in IRS then in SRA?
....doing stupid amounts of research now on rear ends, also the 00-04 GT's came with limited slip....do I reuse my diff? is the diff different in IRS then in SRA?
I'm not sure about the gearing and inter-changeablity of the IRS and SRA, but if you go to the yard, I'm sure you can get a rear thats loaded. If its an 8.8 from a 99-04 then yes, it will be posi. Wouldnt hurt to pop the cover off and inspect the gears for chips and the fluid/case for metal. Wouldnt hurt to freshen it up with new clutches, bearings and fluid. Check the axle tubes for cracks as well, where the tubes go into the housing.
Just an FYI: if you want your warrantee to help you out in situations like this, you are better off finding a reliable Ford dealer shop to use whenever you need work done. Corporate reimburses the dealer for warrantee work, and so the dealer has to justify it. What reason do they have when you haven't given them your business? Best thing you can do to protect your warrantee is pay for the regular service intervals.
And modding a car doesn't void your warrantee, federal law guarantees it. The mod has to directly impact the failed part for it to impact warrantee covereage. I don't think rubber on the fenderwells counts as a warrantee-voiding mod
And seriously, WTF if you can't do a burnout in a mustang without voiding your warrantee. Anyone see an ad for a Mustang lately?
If you regularly have service at the dealer, you shouldn't have an issue with warrantee on covered parts.
As far as I know, the diff on a Cobra is 31 spline and the housing is different for the IRS, but the guts go right into a sloid axle housing with the proper axles. It looks like your diff must have deformed and as a result your cover broke and the yokes gave out. Guess this justifies the reinforced cover
And modding a car doesn't void your warrantee, federal law guarantees it. The mod has to directly impact the failed part for it to impact warrantee covereage. I don't think rubber on the fenderwells counts as a warrantee-voiding mod
And seriously, WTF if you can't do a burnout in a mustang without voiding your warrantee. Anyone see an ad for a Mustang lately?
If you regularly have service at the dealer, you shouldn't have an issue with warrantee on covered parts.
As far as I know, the diff on a Cobra is 31 spline and the housing is different for the IRS, but the guts go right into a sloid axle housing with the proper axles. It looks like your diff must have deformed and as a result your cover broke and the yokes gave out. Guess this justifies the reinforced cover
98COBRA281
10 Year Member
it would be a great time to do a solid axle swap, my buddy has an 04, i was with him and he hit it, it wheel hopped all over the place, and felt like the dash board was going to fly off
I would suggest you get a car that is appropriate for where you are at in your life right now. Cobras are expensive enough just to maintain, when they break BEND OVER!
Start thinking rationally man, its not all about the car you drive you should have gotten a 1997 Honda Civic.
As for what you can do to get out of this situation that you have gotten yourself in, you might want to ask a relative for money cause I highly doubt warranty will cover this.
Of course you will not take this advice because you know much better than I do.
If you manage to get the car fixed UNLOAD IT. If you cannot get it fixed, put it in your mom's garage, throw a car cover over it, and find different transportation such as bicycle, bus, or beater until you get a good job after you graduate.
What I should have done was keep my 04 GT but thats besides the point, I am in my current predicament and I have come to terms with it. Whats important know is that I
A. fix the car
B. Do it right and either fix the rear end, do ALL preventative measures to assure this will NOT happen again
c. try to unload the car, and not get totally raped on what I get back.
I appreciate all the advice, I truly do, and I want all stang members to know that I mean that.
Unloading it is not an option for me at this point in time, especially in its current condition. I am looking into different routes such as a SRA swap, from my research most can be had for under a $1000. Now as far as labor goes I am sure this price would nearly, if not, double. So I may be looking into a rear end swap over the winter months.
If warranty does not cover this I will more then likely be canceling my warranty and getting what ever money I can back from it. This should help in aiding me to get the car back on the road. I live right outside Chicago (with my parents) and they have a crappy little beater truck that they said I could use for the winter PRE rear end blowout.
Kilgore I want to thank you for your advice, I am on these boards daily and I feel I don't offer nearly as much advice as I should, most of the time I don't even log in. But being around stangnet so long I want you and other members to know that I have witnessed many of your guys posts and you seem to be very knowledgeable about these cars. I want you to also know that I have taken your thoughts into consideration and believe me, first thing that came to mind was "GET OUT" but as I stated, really not an option at this point in time due to the loss I would suffer.
Still waiting on a response from my mechanic, he should be calling me shortly with an update, as soon as I find out ill let you guys know whats going on.
Once again, thank you stangnet!
SaleenGT2001
Well-Known Member
i have personally seen a warranty voided over a CAI on a NA 99 cobra with a broken transmission.
rubber in the fenders will be called "ABUSE" from spinning the tires.
my advice is return it completely stock and clean the rubber out
rubber in the fenders will be called "ABUSE" from spinning the tires.
my advice is return it completely stock and clean the rubber out
tag4car
Member
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