[CG_Jones]

Hello All,

I just bought a 2003 Cobra Vert with 3,000 miles (was in storage for 6 years) the car is showroom new. On the way home I noticed that the car had a bad vibration above 75mph and especially when I was off the throttle (clutch in or out)... Could it be from the tires sitting for 6 years (car only moved 200 miles in last 6 years). Or could it be the drive line or something else? I drove the car home 650 miles and the vibe is still there, if it was the tires I thought it might get better. I'm getting the rear tires checked today, could they be damaged? The front wheel seem pretty steady, I'd think I would see a shimmy on the front too if those tires are bad?

Thanks for your help!

[2oo5GT]

if the car wasn't on jack stands or moved often, then the tires could have flat spots from just sitting there.

[CG_Jones]

Ok, had the tires checked, their round as eggs! Ordered a set of 10th anniversary wheels and tires!

[blksnake]

sounds like you have flat spots where the tires were meeting the ground for all these years, I've had problems like that with mine after it has been sitting for months. I also installed a kenny brown forward tork brace last year because my diff bushing were bad and that helped with a vibration that I used to get as well.

[2Manystangs]

Personally I'd have every soft part replaced along with plugs and brakes...belts, hoses, etc...they will all be dry rotted and need attention

[sprstr1000]

hi
im new owner of a 04 vert cobra aswell and im having the same issue i think im getting a high speed vib starts around 75mph an gets worse the faster i go
it feels like its comin up through the middle of the car i can feel it in the shifter an hear it
i had my rims an tires checked to no avail the car only has 20xxxm on her on wed im havin the ujoints replace an the driveshaft balanced i got my fingers crossed if it works i will let ya know

[yomadmike]

I have tires on my car with a tread rating of 240(very soft). If mine sits for a week, I have to get the tires heated up before the vibration stops. I make sure I get it out at least once a week. I used to live next door to a retired Good Year guy. He said if a car sits for more than 30 days you will get flat spots.

[CG_Jones]

Thanks for the info... SPRSTR1000, I'd be interested to hear how it goes with your replacement and balance. I'll post an update as soon as I get the new wheels, should be by this weekend!

Thanks again for all the advice.

[sprstr1000]

well i pulled the drive shaft today an took it to the driveline shop an it turns out i had a bad ujoint on the tranny side of the shaft two ujoint caps were turning with the yoke and according to them the stock ford perf aluminum drive shafts are notoriously out of balancce
my cobra is a high power application 550rwhp an he sais that explains the distortion in the shaft and on the so they are gonna build a stout aluminum shaft with spicer 1350 ujoints (which will be done fri)my car only has 30xxxkm on it so it must have had a few hard launches(i just bought it two weeks ago)i will let ya know when i get the new shaft in if it solves the vib

[CG_Jones]

Thanks for the info, I'm betting I need to have my drive shaft rebalanced and new joints too. What do you think a driveline shop will cost me for the re balance and new U joints. I'll let you know how the new wheels work out too.

[sprstr1000]

well ujoints are anywhere from 30 to 50 bucks ( I never got a quote for that) id be assuming 150 to 200
this paticular place is chargin me 450 to 500 for a brandnew stout shaft with 1350 joints which i think is a good deal if you plan on doing mods for power that would probly be your best bet



has anyone heard anything about stock aluminum drive shafts not being too great????

[CG_Jones]

I received the new wheels and tires yesterday... Slapped them on and took off to try them out, the car was way smoother. Anyone need a set of F1 eggs?

There is still a small vibration when I'm off the gas at about 80mph, but nothing like before. I'm thinking of having the u-joints replaced and having the shaft balanced. Or would I be better off buying an 04 drive shaft? Anyone know what the run $?

[sprstr1000]

Just my f%#@$ luck go pick up the drive shaft and its an inch to long comunication breakdown at the driveline shop so gotta go back tomo

[sprstr1000]

unbeleivable so i take the driveshaft back cause its too long and they tell me come back at noon tomo so the next day (sat) i pull up at 12:05 an their closed ( they neglected to tell me they close at noon on sat ) i guess partially my fault for not lookin at the hours on the door any way i call an leave a msg an they did call me back two hrs later an sent someone down to meet me there to get the driveshaft so i go pick it up an off to the shop i go and after takin the stock DS out for the 4th time it didnt fit i was like WTF they didnt even shorten it
i dunno if it just got put off to the side or what but come on dont tell a guy to come an not even start on it
this gettin very frustrating but ya know it doesnt surpirise me ive been gettin the wrong parts since i started buyin em when i got my first car

[2Manystangs]

I'm sure we could overload the servers if every bad mechanic story was posted...be patient, I'm sure you'll be flying down the road soon. I had the Ford dealer leave an empty Coke can in my Cobra during a repair..came back a week later and my car was ant city! The were even coming out the A/C vents...the dealer had the nerve to say the can was in the car when it came in...funny, I don't drink soda...a can of Raid and total vacuuming of the car got rid of them, so hope you are at least smiling at this point.