Front End
 

I must say the front hinge pins are a little different to what I have been used to over the years, but I have been assured they don't fall out and are up to the job.

The uprights were a right pain to get in, but now all are fitted, I can actually see how good they are.....

The front axles have changed now I believe, to allow for a grub screw, so you can actually use a nyloc nut, rather than a screw. Or at least you have the choice of either...... Screw or Nut........:thumbsup:

Again all ballstuds changed to XTMs......

Genuine New Mardave screws used throughout. Again that FIBRE LYTE Tower looks stunning......:D

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Hi lofty2332,

If you give Stephen a call at FIBRE LYTE, he will sort you out. A cracking guy to deal with and really really helpful......:thumbsup:

Glad you're back Mark...😉.....this should look good..👍

Cheers Alan.......:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup :

Turnbuckles.....RPM
 

Up next, the part I hate the most in any build. TURNBUCKLES.. still nursing my thumbs from the hinge pin moment....:lol: They actually went well. With the COBRA as you will know, the turnbuckles are either black plastic fixed items or the silver metal adjustable. I had this TRF set spare and wondered if they would fit and so far so good.

The RPM white ballends went on very well and made it easy in the end for adjustment.....

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Front End meets Chassis.
 

So with the front end near complete, the next stage is to mount it to the chassis... Hello Beautiful.....:lol::lol::lol:

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Steering Assembly and Turnbuckles...
 

With the front mounted with slotted screws and a dodgy flat head screwdriver, No scratches or slips...:)

It was time to fit yet another pair of turnbuckles and the steering assembly. Again I have changed the ballstuds for the 4-40 XTMs... Again the TRF Turnbuckles worked a treat......:)

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Fantastic! Looking forward to seeing it come together!

Cheers Dom9, glad you like it so far..........:thumbsup:

Centre of COBRA..
 

So moving to the centre of the COBRA. New battery cups front & rear...

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GEARBOX !!!!
 

Well next is the gearbox.

I have heard a few comments with the gearbox being the weak spot of this buggy and how it all fits, with dremeling needed for the gearbox inside and internals needing shimming and a lot of fiddling needed to run smooth.

Well having built this gearbox, I must say it went together faultlessly. I used the all New,

Mardave EVO Diff
Mardave EVO Layshaft
Mardave EVO Delrin Idler Gear
Mardave Purple Motor Plate.

With the New EVO Diff you get 3 Delrin shims, which fit inside the ballrace holes to allow for the fit of the New outdrive bearings. These require a little super glue as per Mardave instructions, but nothing major, just a drop.

The only small issue I had, was with the original COBRA Gearbox. The outdrive holes need to be enlarged due to the new EVO outdrives being bigger. Easy job with a reamer.......:thumbsup:

Pictures coming now of the New Gearbox....

Gearbox Build.......
 

The New Mardave COBRA Gearbox Parts....

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Gearbox case, EVO Diff
 

New EVO Diff with delrin shims and new gearbox case....

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Gearbox case needed holes for New EVO diff outdrives to be enlarged as mentioned previous..... You can just make out the case on the right has been enlarged, the case on the left is standard. Not alot needed to removed, but it was enough......

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Gearbox case and internals
 

Gearbox case with holes enlarged and New internals ready, New Mardave bearings fitted to inside of Gearbox case.......

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Internals fitted inside....
 

EVO Diff, Delrin Idler gear and New EVO Layshaft fitted. I must say, Im very impressed with it and how smooth it is.....

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GEARBOX Shut !!!!
 

GEARBOX with Purple Mardave motor plate. Now ready for the New Slipper assembly...... Again very impressed with the fit, feel of side to side movement and general smoothness. And this hasn't been run yet........

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NOW !!! The Slipper.
 

I think this Slipper gives the feel of the vintage MMS slippers. Again went together faultlessly and a nice bearing in the centre of the spur gear is a nice design.......:thumbsup:

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Slipper FITTED !!!
 

Slipper Fitted..........:thumbsup:

I think it looks so good, Vintage MMS/WASP looking. Love it !!!!!

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Looking good Mark...love your descriptions and photos...👍