I'm not a clutch-dropper driver, but other people's problems with cracked differential covers have had me a little paranoid... and it is real easy to get wheel hoppin' on the '03 Cobra. This new JDM piece sounds like it would be pretty effective in reducing axle housing/diff cover stress, and easier to install than the other solutions, so I figured I'd give it a try to prevent a problem in the future. More info on the product is available under the JDM Engineering New Products section.
The unit is a simple, well-made steel bracket which holds a heavy rubber bumper. JDM uses a 10mm nut and no washer to attach the bumper's stud to the bracket. I used a flat washer and Nylock nut instead to prevent vibration from loosening the bumper.
JDM's nine page instruction manual is very clearly written and offers eleven clear photos. Basically, it is overkill for such a simple job.
The manual has you remove the driveshaft (four bolts) for access. However, I was able to install the pinion snubber without removing the driveshaft. There was tight but adequate access by running my arms through just forward of the axle shafts on each side. Might not work for everybody and it might not be easier than removing the driveshaft, but I could slip the Tinnerman clips into place this way. There are a set of holes in the sheetmetal from Ford that look like they were made just for this application. Then I could put the snubber assembly in place and start the bolts by hand. A long 1/4" drive extension, swivel, and 8mm socket are used to tighten the two bolts into the Tinnerman clips.
I must be on a roll for installing stuff without removing parts as per the manual, because the day before I installed a Belltech rear swaybar kit on my '04 Silverado. The instructions called for dropping the gas tank to access the inside of the frame rail to insert a mounting plate with two studs. But I was able to do it without dropping the tank. I just removed the plastic gas tank guard, and I was able to drop the plate inside the frame rail and push it till it fell into place.
The unit is a simple, well-made steel bracket which holds a heavy rubber bumper. JDM uses a 10mm nut and no washer to attach the bumper's stud to the bracket. I used a flat washer and Nylock nut instead to prevent vibration from loosening the bumper.
JDM's nine page instruction manual is very clearly written and offers eleven clear photos. Basically, it is overkill for such a simple job.
The manual has you remove the driveshaft (four bolts) for access. However, I was able to install the pinion snubber without removing the driveshaft. There was tight but adequate access by running my arms through just forward of the axle shafts on each side. Might not work for everybody and it might not be easier than removing the driveshaft, but I could slip the Tinnerman clips into place this way. There are a set of holes in the sheetmetal from Ford that look like they were made just for this application. Then I could put the snubber assembly in place and start the bolts by hand. A long 1/4" drive extension, swivel, and 8mm socket are used to tighten the two bolts into the Tinnerman clips.
I must be on a roll for installing stuff without removing parts as per the manual, because the day before I installed a Belltech rear swaybar kit on my '04 Silverado. The instructions called for dropping the gas tank to access the inside of the frame rail to insert a mounting plate with two studs. But I was able to do it without dropping the tank. I just removed the plastic gas tank guard, and I was able to drop the plate inside the frame rail and push it till it fell into place.
