Possibly Bent Frame
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: Warner Robins GA
Possibly Bent Frame
My car was in an accident before I got it, and the more I work with it the more I think the frame is tweaked. I had noticed that the fuel cap was not centered in the hole of the deck lid. I was replacing the body mount bushings this weekend and decided to double check the body alignment to see if it had shifted. If I lineup the fuel cap in the center, then the body alignment holes in the chassis don't lineup and vice versa. I currently have the car on stands with the rear suspension out of it. Should I just lineup the body alignment holes and address the rear later, if needed? Should I just accept that the fuel filler is a little off center? Can I keep doing my work to the point where I get it back to a rolling chassis and then take it to a frame shop? I really did not want to take the body off, but I'm at the point where everything is loose to do a body lift. I could do it if I had to. What is the going rate for having a frame checked out and straightened?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 96
From: Bowmanville Ontario
When I got my car I didn't know it had been in an accident either.
If finally figured it out when I mounted 255's on the front and backed out of the driveway.
I took it to the local body shop and they checked it out.
The mechanic said, I might as well just fixed it since it is up here.
They charged me 175.00 to straighten the front end. Best decision I have made to date.
If you are concerned, take it in and have them inspect it.
Ken
If finally figured it out when I mounted 255's on the front and backed out of the driveway.
I took it to the local body shop and they checked it out.
The mechanic said, I might as well just fixed it since it is up here.
They charged me 175.00 to straighten the front end. Best decision I have made to date.
If you are concerned, take it in and have them inspect it.
Ken
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,279
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi c,
The side to side movement of the tank is controlled to a great degree by the 2 tank straps.
The straps' locations are pretty much fixed by the way they attach to to the tank support in the front and the way the they're bolted to the rear crossmember.
However, there is an allowance for just bit of tank movement because of the width of the indentations in the top of the tank the straps sit in.
Have you checked that?
Regards,
Alan
I believe you can see that little bit of room for the tank to move in this picture.
The side to side movement of the tank is controlled to a great degree by the 2 tank straps.
The straps' locations are pretty much fixed by the way they attach to to the tank support in the front and the way the they're bolted to the rear crossmember.
However, there is an allowance for just bit of tank movement because of the width of the indentations in the top of the tank the straps sit in.
Have you checked that?
Regards,
Alan
I believe you can see that little bit of room for the tank to move in this picture.
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 10, 2015 at 11:52 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: Warner Robins GA
Maybe this shows. I had the tank out freshening it up before. It was off centered before I pulled it and was off centered when I put it back. I will loosen the tank straps and see if I can get the tank itself more centered, but I think I tried when I put it back in. You can see on the upper left where the actual tank cover is showing, and it has no adjustment. Does this warrant anymore attention from me, or is this good enough for a driver? I'm also thinking it is possible that when it was repaired before, they might have over pulled it a little because it is shifted towards the side of impact.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,279
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
"does this require anymore attention from me" ?
I guess it depends on the actual cause of the misalignment, and how much it bothers you.
For me I'd wonder about it each time I put gas in.
Is that the fiberglass on the rear deck surface we're seeing in the picture?
Regards,
Alan
Hope that loose u-clip doesn't slip into the tank.
"does this require anymore attention from me" ?
I guess it depends on the actual cause of the misalignment, and how much it bothers you.
For me I'd wonder about it each time I put gas in.
Is that the fiberglass on the rear deck surface we're seeing in the picture?
Regards,
Alan
Hope that loose u-clip doesn't slip into the tank.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 124
Likes: 1
From: Warner Robins GA
Hi,
"does this require anymore attention from me" ?
I guess it depends on the actual cause of the misalignment, and how much it bothers you.
For me I'd wonder about it each time I put gas in.
Is that the fiberglass on the rear deck surface we're seeing in the picture?
Regards,
Alan
Hope that loose u-clip doesn't slip into the tank.
"does this require anymore attention from me" ?
I guess it depends on the actual cause of the misalignment, and how much it bothers you.
For me I'd wonder about it each time I put gas in.
Is that the fiberglass on the rear deck surface we're seeing in the picture?
Regards,
Alan
Hope that loose u-clip doesn't slip into the tank.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
Loosen up the tank straps, and position the tank so that it is centered (there should be enough movement at that point) and tighten the straps. You may want to use wood or ? as spacers/shims temporarily to keep it centered as you tighten up the straps.
The frame may be bent from an accident, but I wouldn't base that decision on the misalignment of the fuel fill neck, cars that have their tanks removed/replaced often will be off center, until/unless the installer catches it at the time of installation.
Seems your concern about a possible bent frame, wont go away until you have it checked out though. For that reason I would have that done for your peace of mind.
The frame may be bent from an accident, but I wouldn't base that decision on the misalignment of the fuel fill neck, cars that have their tanks removed/replaced often will be off center, until/unless the installer catches it at the time of installation.
Seems your concern about a possible bent frame, wont go away until you have it checked out though. For that reason I would have that done for your peace of mind.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 547
Likes: 13
From: Carlstadt NJ
Hi c,
The side to side movement of the tank is controlled to a great degree by the 2 tank straps.
The straps' locations are pretty much fixed by the way they attach to to the tank support in the front and the way the they're bolted to the rear crossmember.
However, there is an allowance for just bit of tank movement because of the width of the indentations in the top of the tank the straps sit in.
Have you checked that?
Regards,
Alan
I believe you can see that little bit of room for the tank to move in this picture.
The side to side movement of the tank is controlled to a great degree by the 2 tank straps.
The straps' locations are pretty much fixed by the way they attach to to the tank support in the front and the way the they're bolted to the rear crossmember.
However, there is an allowance for just bit of tank movement because of the width of the indentations in the top of the tank the straps sit in.
Have you checked that?
Regards,
Alan
I believe you can see that little bit of room for the tank to move in this picture.