Body allignment on chassis
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: near VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Body allignment on chassis
Hello everybody
I have a question regarding the allignment of the car body on the chassis.
In an ideal case the car body is placed accurately on the center line of the chassis.
However, both the car body and the frame have manufacturing tolerances ...
Now that I adjusted toe in and camber and set the strut rods in the rear (left & right) to equal length (as well as using the same amount of shims for both A-arms in the front) I noticed that one of the rear tires sticks out a little more than the other. (appr. 1/2")
Now I am asking myself if the body can be moved a little sidewards on the frame to compensate the misallignment.
I put the body back on the chassis years ago and can not remember if the body mounts (Energy Suspension) gave possibility for side allignment by moving the body a little bit sidewards on the body mounts.
Did anybody try this before?
I am aware that the tires can be adjusted to the fender edges by adjusting the strut rods or shimming the A-arms. But a difference of 1/2" is a little too much for my taste.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me.
Best Regards, Markus
PS: I am using VB&P Smart Struts in the rear
I have a question regarding the allignment of the car body on the chassis.
In an ideal case the car body is placed accurately on the center line of the chassis.
However, both the car body and the frame have manufacturing tolerances ...
Now that I adjusted toe in and camber and set the strut rods in the rear (left & right) to equal length (as well as using the same amount of shims for both A-arms in the front) I noticed that one of the rear tires sticks out a little more than the other. (appr. 1/2")
Now I am asking myself if the body can be moved a little sidewards on the frame to compensate the misallignment.
I put the body back on the chassis years ago and can not remember if the body mounts (Energy Suspension) gave possibility for side allignment by moving the body a little bit sidewards on the body mounts.
Did anybody try this before?
I am aware that the tires can be adjusted to the fender edges by adjusting the strut rods or shimming the A-arms. But a difference of 1/2" is a little too much for my taste.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me.
Best Regards, Markus
PS: I am using VB&P Smart Struts in the rear
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
check the clearance between the rear shocks and the battery and jack stowage pans. there is a little room for adjustment, but not much. front position is set by the radiator, that (if memory serves me) has only a very small amount of play.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: near VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Yes, I see.
The main question is how big are the holes in the car body, because the body mounts fit in the frame supports pretty good and can not be moved.
But if the hole in the body is big enough the body can be moved on the body mounts, as long as there is enough space between the body mount bolt and the hole ...
Will try again this afternoon and hope it works out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
the body mount holes are about 7/8" (i think) and the bolts are 7/16", so there is some movement at that point. also the cage-nuts on the frame also have about 3/4" total movement. but without loosening the bolts and shifting the body, the total possible movement can not be determined. the bolts may already be pushed to their limit in one direction. and even before the possible shift can be determined, all body-frame attachments must be removed/loosened-bumpers, clutch, parking brake, accelerator cable, radiator support, etc. it seems like a lot of work for one centimeter!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 2
From: near VIENNA, AUSTRIA
Just gave it another try this afternoon...
Loosened all the bolts and body mounts, loosened the radiator bolts, as my car is an automatic I did not have to disconnect the clutch, parking brake is not connected yet, etc.
However, with the body mount bolts loosened but still in place there is not much play left.
After all 3 hours of work for nothing.
Guess I have to use the strut rods to compensate the difference but on the other hand I dont't think that there is a single corvette where the strut rod adjustment is accurately the same on both sides.
Nevertheless thanks for your feedback !
Loosened all the bolts and body mounts, loosened the radiator bolts, as my car is an automatic I did not have to disconnect the clutch, parking brake is not connected yet, etc.
However, with the body mount bolts loosened but still in place there is not much play left.
After all 3 hours of work for nothing.
Guess I have to use the strut rods to compensate the difference but on the other hand I dont't think that there is a single corvette where the strut rod adjustment is accurately the same on both sides.
Nevertheless thanks for your feedback !
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Just gave it another try this afternoon...
Loosened all the bolts and body mounts, loosened the radiator bolts, as my car is an automatic I did not have to disconnect the clutch, parking brake is not connected yet, etc.
However, with the body mount bolts loosened but still in place there is not much play left.
After all 3 hours of work for nothing.
Guess I have to use the strut rods to compensate the difference but on the other hand I dont't think that there is a single corvette where the strut rod adjustment is accurately the same on both sides.
Nevertheless thanks for your feedback !
Loosened all the bolts and body mounts, loosened the radiator bolts, as my car is an automatic I did not have to disconnect the clutch, parking brake is not connected yet, etc.
However, with the body mount bolts loosened but still in place there is not much play left.
After all 3 hours of work for nothing.
Guess I have to use the strut rods to compensate the difference but on the other hand I dont't think that there is a single corvette where the strut rod adjustment is accurately the same on both sides.
Nevertheless thanks for your feedback !
If you take off the sill plates on each side there are plastic plugs in the sill. Remove the plugs and you can put in a 1/2" rod through the sill into the frame to help adjust the body alignment.
Rick B.
