PLEASE HELP-Bad day 79 L82
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Eagle Pass TX
PLEASE HELP-Bad day 79 L82
Hello everyone, today has to be one of my worst days ever. Let me start off by saying that i went to a local mechanic where i live to have the tie rods replaced on my vette. When I went to pick up my vette today, i noticed that the hood wasn't seating properly. The hood would not properly close. At first I thought maybe something was preventing it from actually closing. I inspected everything and couldnt determine what was wrong. I proceeded to take the car to a body guy who said that the frame was bent. He asked me if the car had been raised or lifted? I remember that the mechanic had the left front wheel on a ramp only for a period of time. The body guy said thats probably what twisted/bent the frame causing the door/fender gap to be off and the hood not to seat properly. Is this possible? Can it be fixed? If so, where do I go from here? Thanks everyone...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Well, there is nothing i would call IMPOSSIBLE on these cars after all the years. But, about the only way that could happen is if the frame is so rusted its not even safe to drive. My car sat on jackstands for Months in my garage, there were 4 stands under it, but it was ballanced on 2 of them and teetered back and forth on the other two, no problem, that frame is pretty stiff.
It sounds like your suspension guy hosed you, uless the frame is cheese cloth
It sounds like your suspension guy hosed you, uless the frame is cheese cloth
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,226
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
I have found that SOMETIMES after i've had the car jacked up, that the hood doesn't latch on one side or the other. After getting all parinoid, I found that driving around the block would cause the suspension to settle, and the hood to latch properly.
C3 frames flex! I have a rust free '69, and before my hood latches were adjusted properly, one side would sometimes unlatch when I drove through the dip into my driveway. Perhaps a latch adjustment is in order. Good luck.
C3 frames flex! I have a rust free '69, and before my hood latches were adjusted properly, one side would sometimes unlatch when I drove through the dip into my driveway. Perhaps a latch adjustment is in order. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 0
From: Mesa AZ
i think the word "bent" might be a little strong. it is most likely to be tweaked out of shape. if the frame is not really rusted or "bent" you can probably jack up the right front tire and let the left front settle back down to where it was.
i worked on a pick up track where the right rear frame rail sat up a small amount and made the bed look like it was sitting out of level(because it was) so we jack up the left frame rail and pulled down on the right rail to correct it.
i worked on a pick up track where the right rear frame rail sat up a small amount and made the bed look like it was sitting out of level(because it was) so we jack up the left frame rail and pulled down on the right rail to correct it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
I don't know - that sounds pretty hard to believe. The hood latching system is a very temperamental component. If raising the car with a jack and letting it sit there for 2 hrs, 2 days, 2 weeks can bend a frame,,.... just imagine what hitting a 2" pothole at 70mph would do.
I do not think you have a serious problem. Check your hood adjustments/alignment. If all else fails, take both hinges off and set the hood down - at least this will set your mind at ease on a twisted frame.
I do not think you have a serious problem. Check your hood adjustments/alignment. If all else fails, take both hinges off and set the hood down - at least this will set your mind at ease on a twisted frame.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
I always have adjustment problems with the hood latches and they are new...I need to spend an afternoon figuring them out and getting them adjusted right.
With pretty much everything said and this probably could happen for any number of reasons.
With pretty much everything said and this probably could happen for any number of reasons.
