Dear B.P. Bird,
Thank you for the very informative communication! Back in 1967, when I purchased my car (CSX 2073), I upgraded to the "thicker root" spindles, and changed the inner bearing and race to allow for the larger spindle ID. I was interested in your comments about having to change the hubs to accommodate the spindle modification. I had no problem using the hubs that came with my car, so perhaps SAI/ AC had upgraded to the beefier hub by the time they got around to building my car. I do not know when 2073 departed AC, but it left SAI in May of 1963, and received a 289 engine, not a 260. Although it is repeatedly stated that about 75 cars were produced with 260 engines, Shelby did not assemble the cars in sequence, due to multiple issues which affected an individual car's assembly rate. An example of this is CSX 2044, first purchased by Stanford Physics Professor Dr. Horn, which is documented from the factory as having a 289 at the date of delivery. This car had black foot boxes, characteristic of really early Cobras. Mine are that off-white color.
Regardless, I was able to source a Kingpin set made in England, so I am good on that issue. I am surprised about the bushing wear, though, since my car suspension gets over lubed. The slop in the pins is very slight, but they are not as tight as when I rebuilt them. All my driving time is now on the track, so even though I have conservative tire size ( 7" tread width on 7" kidney bean wheels, this must stress the stub axel design more than I think!
Thank you for the suggestion to check the MG parts for Lockheed boots for the tie rods. As I am sure you know the worm and sector ( cam and peg) steering system has no actual ball joints. Those came with the re-design to rack and pinion, and a spindle that bolted to the upright. The last time I searched for the boots in both the MG and Morgan spares, they sent me boots which were much different than the original ones on my car, and Bristols that I have been allowed to crawl under to inspect.
Please keep me in mind if you hear of anyone with NOS tie rods for the later Ace's, Bristols, or early Cobras.
Thank you, again!!
Bob