wheelbase difference
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Bonheiden Belgium Europe
wheelbase difference
I have 1/2 an inch difference in my wheel base,
The leftside is 1/2 inch shorter then the rightside, since I have frame issues installing back my BB I would relate it to the frame.
But could it also be that the leftside A-arms are bend/twisted.
Is there a way to check the A-arm measurements?
I know from the previous owner that he had the left front knock-off wheel come off.
The A-arm hit the road and the fender was cracked above the wheel arch.
The wheel stayed inside the fender it was at very low speed according him.
Could it be that because of the impact the A-arm bend backwards 1/2 an inch.
Is there a way to adjust the A-arm in relation to the wheel base?
Is the wheelbase adjustable at all?
Any advise would be much appreciated,
Ray
The leftside is 1/2 inch shorter then the rightside, since I have frame issues installing back my BB I would relate it to the frame.
But could it also be that the leftside A-arms are bend/twisted.
Is there a way to check the A-arm measurements?
I know from the previous owner that he had the left front knock-off wheel come off.
The A-arm hit the road and the fender was cracked above the wheel arch.
The wheel stayed inside the fender it was at very low speed according him.
Could it be that because of the impact the A-arm bend backwards 1/2 an inch.
Is there a way to adjust the A-arm in relation to the wheel base?
Is the wheelbase adjustable at all?
Any advise would be much appreciated,
Ray
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,639
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From: Central Arkansas
The measurement can vary a little because of how the caster is set in the front suspension. Or it could be frame or A-arm damage at the front. You can't really get an accurate measurement from front hub to rear hub without having the front end in good alighnment first. And if they can't get it in alighnment then that would indicate something is damaged. You should get a pretty accurate measurement if you measure from the center of the lower A-arm ball joint to the rear hub. If that is off then you probabaly have something bent. In addition to the frame and A-arm it's not impossible to bend a front spindle too. Mine had one which I discovered when I tried to get new brake pads to fit.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 275
From: Naples FL
A 1/2" is a lot. Something is wrong here. It could be that you're measuring it wrong, or it could be that the frame was tweaked sometime in the last 30+ years.
With these old cars anything is possible. I would find a good frame shop that's got a good frame machine.
I still remember a customer that brought a beautiful '67 in for a new exhaust system. We spent several hours trying to get the exhaust system to fit. We finally gave up and measured the wheelbase. It was an inch out. The exhaust system was the least of his problems.
This was on a Bloomington Gold car. He finally sold the car and it's stil floating around someplace out there.
Richard Newton
Corvette Restoration Guide: 1963-1967
Ultimate Garage Handbook
With these old cars anything is possible. I would find a good frame shop that's got a good frame machine.
I still remember a customer that brought a beautiful '67 in for a new exhaust system. We spent several hours trying to get the exhaust system to fit. We finally gave up and measured the wheelbase. It was an inch out. The exhaust system was the least of his problems.
This was on a Bloomington Gold car. He finally sold the car and it's stil floating around someplace out there.
Richard Newton
Corvette Restoration Guide: 1963-1967
Ultimate Garage Handbook
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 585
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From: Bonheiden Belgium Europe
The measurement can vary a little because of how the caster is set in the front suspension. Or it could be frame or A-arm damage at the front. You can't really get an accurate measurement from front hub to rear hub without having the front end in good alighnment first. And if they can't get it in alighnment then that would indicate something is damaged. You should get a pretty accurate measurement if you measure from the center of the lower A-arm ball joint to the rear hub. If that is off then you probabaly have something bent. In addition to the frame and A-arm it's not impossible to bend a front spindle too. Mine had one which I discovered when I tried to get new brake pads to fit.
Last edited by raytex; May 1, 2008 at 09:56 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 33
From: ct
You do not measure from the hub. You measure to the lower ball joints. This is best done with the car at ride height. pick a hole in the frame that is the same on both sides. 65 and up use the sloted holes where the sidepipes would mount. Pull a tape measure from the slot to the center of the ball joint.The tape must not be bent around anything. Go ft to back then cross side to side. Max is a 1/8 diff side to side. If you are off more than that you have a problem.
Brian G.
Brian G.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rocklin California
First you need to consult the factory tolerances. Then locate the factory measuring points to take your measurements. If you feel it is the frame after a few simple measurements, take it to a frame shop who has a bench with laser measuring system. They can pinpoint the area of damage. If the frame is within tolerance, then suspension would be in question and any good alignment shop should be able to tell you the problem. BUT everything starts with a straight frame! 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,464
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From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Though my suspension is different from your, i used to have a 1" wheelbase difference, after i rebuilt the front end with all new bushings and shafts, and replaced a suspect lower control arm, the wheelbase was correct on both sides.
Doug
Doug
