My cradle been rocked????
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: Illinois
My cradle been rocked????
I'm in the process of building a spreader for my cradle cause I've read so much re: improved handeling and stiffness they provide. During the build I've been wondering if there is a location to take a measurement L. to R. across the cradle to determine if any collapse has occoured. Possibly due to fatigue, a crash from PO's ect. If so where should the measurement be taken and what would the original dimemsion have been?
My thinking is if a collapse has occoured when I install the spreader I will expand the cradle back to the original dimension and then proceed to the alignment shop. I have cut one coil already and lowered the front 1-1/2 '' so an alignment is in order anyway.
Thanks.
My thinking is if a collapse has occoured when I install the spreader I will expand the cradle back to the original dimension and then proceed to the alignment shop. I have cut one coil already and lowered the front 1-1/2 '' so an alignment is in order anyway.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,878
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
The distance is suppose to be 26 3/8 inches- measuring from the inside where the upper A arms mount.
Richard
Richard
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
If you are very careful, you can use a porta-power to spread the upper a arm mounts. This is what a frame shop would do if you took it to one. Inspect for cracks afterwards. With the stock measurement restored, it is easier to get the alignment specs you want. Using the spreader bar, the cradle will not sag again.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: Illinois
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,878
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,607
Likes: 7,053
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Richard454/v2racing..................Thanks here, also! This is going to the wireless printer---and then to the build folder! The printer has a great memory!
Spreader Bar Info
v2racing: If you are very careful, you can use a porta-power to spread the upper a arm mounts. This is what a frame shop would do if you took it to one. Inspect for cracks afterwards. With the stock measurement restored, it is easier to get the alignment specs you want. Using the spreader bar, the cradle will not sag again.
Richard454: The distance is suppose to be 26 3/8 inches- measuring from the inside where the upper A arms mount.
Spreader Bar Info
v2racing: If you are very careful, you can use a porta-power to spread the upper a arm mounts. This is what a frame shop would do if you took it to one. Inspect for cracks afterwards. With the stock measurement restored, it is easier to get the alignment specs you want. Using the spreader bar, the cradle will not sag again.
Richard454: The distance is suppose to be 26 3/8 inches- measuring from the inside where the upper A arms mount.
Last edited by doorgunner; Feb 7, 2014 at 07:47 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Good information. Bookmarked this page as I plan of putting a spreader bar in. However, I can't measure mine right now as the engine driven fan is in the way 
. Measuring between the bolts, kinda in the center, its not even 26". So I have a feeling mine has sagged.
. Measuring between the bolts, kinda in the center, its not even 26". So I have a feeling mine has sagged.
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,336
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
I've got a new spreader bar waiting to be welded up and installed when I saw this thread.
So I hesitantly crawled into the engine bay (sans engine of course) and measured mine, just to see where it might be.
26-3/8 pretty much exact
Thought for sure it would be undersized after years of having a BB laying in there working against it and I've have another thing to deal with.
Now to figure out some way of keeping it there while having the alignment done...
Thanks for the info Richard454
M
So I hesitantly crawled into the engine bay (sans engine of course) and measured mine, just to see where it might be.
26-3/8 pretty much exact
Thought for sure it would be undersized after years of having a BB laying in there working against it and I've have another thing to deal with.
Now to figure out some way of keeping it there while having the alignment done...
Thanks for the info Richard454
M
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 226
From: Cocoa FL
I just checked mine and it is 25 3/8" 
Guess the next purchase will be a spreader bar. I was going to buy one down the road, but I'm thinking to prevent any more "collapse" - for lack of a better word - I will get one asap.
Guess the next purchase will be a spreader bar. I was going to buy one down the road, but I'm thinking to prevent any more "collapse" - for lack of a better word - I will get one asap.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 193
Likes: 2
From: Illinois
Richard454/v2racing..................Thanks here, also! This is going to the wireless printer---and then to the build folder! The printer has a great memory!
Spreader Bar Info
v2racing: If you are very careful, you can use a porta-power to spread the upper a arm mounts. This is what a frame shop would do if you took it to one. Inspect for cracks afterwards. With the stock measurement restored, it is easier to get the alignment specs you want. Using the spreader bar, the cradle will not sag again.
Richard454: The distance is suppose to be 26 3/8 inches- measuring from the inside where the upper A arms mount.
Spreader Bar Info
v2racing: If you are very careful, you can use a porta-power to spread the upper a arm mounts. This is what a frame shop would do if you took it to one. Inspect for cracks afterwards. With the stock measurement restored, it is easier to get the alignment specs you want. Using the spreader bar, the cradle will not sag again.
Richard454: The distance is suppose to be 26 3/8 inches- measuring from the inside where the upper A arms mount.
Thanks again.