Body Not Square on Frame...Ever Hear This???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,718
Likes: 2
From: Flower Mound TX
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Body Not Square on Frame...Ever Hear This???
Just got back from talking with Bob Wrinkle at Classic Chevrolet. We discussed the fact that my driver-side rear tire (Z06 sizes) protrudes 1/4" past the top of the wheel well, while the passenger side is flush (if not a micrometer or two inside). He tells me that most likely this is not a suspension or frame issue, but rather just the fact that when the body was attached to the frame at the factory, it was off by that much. Just have to live with it.
Personally, I have full faith in Bob as a true straight-shooter when it comes to Corvettes (Just ask R.A.T.). I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed this and if they have also heard that this is within the tolerances in the BG assembly plant.
The reason this concerns me, is that I have purchased my new CCW 19/11 wheels, and that means that another 1/4" will probably be added to this overhang. I'm not sure how bad that will look until I actually put them on the car.
Any experiences, possible adjustments, etc would be appreciated.
Personally, I have full faith in Bob as a true straight-shooter when it comes to Corvettes (Just ask R.A.T.). I'm just wondering if anyone else has noticed this and if they have also heard that this is within the tolerances in the BG assembly plant.
The reason this concerns me, is that I have purchased my new CCW 19/11 wheels, and that means that another 1/4" will probably be added to this overhang. I'm not sure how bad that will look until I actually put them on the car.
Any experiences, possible adjustments, etc would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,965
Likes: 6,771
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Re: Body Not Square on Frame...Ever Hear This??? (C5 StockSwap)
This used to be very common on all vehicles. There was intentionally considerable "slop" in all body to chassis pieces (among others) to allow for production variances and quick assembly. That's one reason panel fit was so inconsistent and why restorers can often do a better job.
One of the benefits of newer, more "precision" production methods is to minimize this, but it's still a factor to some degree, especially on nonunit-body configurations (re: body-on-frame) and your car could be on the assembly extreme. It happens.
Have you had the car since new? Sure of it's history? As I recall my '01 is off a bit, too, which I didn't notice until I put on the Z06 wheels and tires that set their outside edges a bit farther out. Apparently, not to the extent of yours, though.
All the best. :yesnod:
One of the benefits of newer, more "precision" production methods is to minimize this, but it's still a factor to some degree, especially on nonunit-body configurations (re: body-on-frame) and your car could be on the assembly extreme. It happens.
Have you had the car since new? Sure of it's history? As I recall my '01 is off a bit, too, which I didn't notice until I put on the Z06 wheels and tires that set their outside edges a bit farther out. Apparently, not to the extent of yours, though.
All the best. :yesnod:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Re: Body Not Square on Frame...Ever Hear This??? (C5 StockSwap)
Hmm . . . I'm wondering if there's any adjustment at all that can be made to the panel to "convince" it to move into better alignment.
Well, IMO, better a panel issue than the suspension/drivetrain.
Keep us posted please.
Well, IMO, better a panel issue than the suspension/drivetrain.
Keep us posted please.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Castle Rock Co
Re: Body Not Square on Frame...Ever Hear This??? (Patches)
What I don't get is how the car can be off. The frame is built of two rails joined together by the impact bars front and rear.
In addition there is the windshield frame and "hoop" in back that ties to the frame. By my recollection, the fiberglass inner body is then bonded to the frame, and the outside body is fastened to that. I don't see how it can be off, unless the frame is bent.
In addition there is the windshield frame and "hoop" in back that ties to the frame. By my recollection, the fiberglass inner body is then bonded to the frame, and the outside body is fastened to that. I don't see how it can be off, unless the frame is bent.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,507
Likes: 723
From: Sausalito CA
Re: Body Not Square on Frame...Ever Hear This??? (C5 StockSwap)
Yes, in the old days there was body to frame alignment.
On a C5?
Just perhaps it is the tire? Mount some rims (without tires) and remeasure.
If still off, perhaps there is an alignment issue (more camber (wheel tilt)) on one side. Doesn't forget to put a 150lbs in the driver seat when you measure this.
Of course you need to ensure your trim heights (measured) at the rocker are spot on before you deal with the rim measuement and wheel alignments. Level floor being the key to checking this.
If still off, mount the C5 on a body shop frame rack and have the frame measured.
If the the frame is straight, then body alignment could be it.
Verfiy above (tires, rims, ride height, wheel alignment, frame straightness).
Once verfied, post your answers and perhaps the forum can aid you with removing the body to re-align. At this time, I have no insight to a body re-alignment.
On a C5?
Just perhaps it is the tire? Mount some rims (without tires) and remeasure.
If still off, perhaps there is an alignment issue (more camber (wheel tilt)) on one side. Doesn't forget to put a 150lbs in the driver seat when you measure this.
Of course you need to ensure your trim heights (measured) at the rocker are spot on before you deal with the rim measuement and wheel alignments. Level floor being the key to checking this.
If still off, mount the C5 on a body shop frame rack and have the frame measured.
If the the frame is straight, then body alignment could be it.
Verfiy above (tires, rims, ride height, wheel alignment, frame straightness).
Once verfied, post your answers and perhaps the forum can aid you with removing the body to re-align. At this time, I have no insight to a body re-alignment.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,965
Likes: 6,771
From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Re: Body Not Square on Frame...Ever Hear This??? (C5 StockSwap)
As a follow-up example on C-5 assembly "precision"...
A friend just bought a new C-5 coupe that came with a clear top that fit perfectly. He had no use for the top, so I bought it for my '01, I ordered new. The top was off 1/4 front-to-rear on my car and needed maximum allowable stock adjustment!
Need I say more? :crazy:
[Modified by Avanti, 11:08 AM 11/14/2003]
A friend just bought a new C-5 coupe that came with a clear top that fit perfectly. He had no use for the top, so I bought it for my '01, I ordered new. The top was off 1/4 front-to-rear on my car and needed maximum allowable stock adjustment!
Need I say more? :crazy:
[Modified by Avanti, 11:08 AM 11/14/2003]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,718
Likes: 2
From: Flower Mound TX
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Body Not Square on Frame...Ever Hear This??? (Avanti)
Thanks all for you insight, and some really good thinking points for me. One point mentioned above was:
As a matter of fact, I went to the garage after posting this thread and placed a level vertically against each of the rear wheels. While this is not a precise method, it did show me that the passenger side had a slightly more aggressive angle (camber) than the driver side. When I moved the level so that the "bubble" matched the position of the drivers side (obviously doing this on the passenger side now), the "imaginary extension" of the line now actually projected pretty close to the driver's side setup.
I think my next step is to take this car back to NTB (one-year alignment warranty) and see if they can correct this.
And to the point of 150lbs in the driver seat (which happens to be me!), am I correct in assuming that the added weight will in effect make the camber slightly more aggressive than without the weight?
Thanks again to all...love this forum!
BTW...Regarding the question of the car's history. I am the original owner and did the museum delivery, so I am confident that there are no issues there!
[Modified by C5 StockSwap, 11:50 AM 11/14/2003]
If still off, perhaps there is an alignment issue (more camber (wheel tilt)) on one side. Doesn't forget to put a 150lbs in the driver seat when you measure this.
I think my next step is to take this car back to NTB (one-year alignment warranty) and see if they can correct this.
And to the point of 150lbs in the driver seat (which happens to be me!), am I correct in assuming that the added weight will in effect make the camber slightly more aggressive than without the weight?
Thanks again to all...love this forum!
BTW...Regarding the question of the car's history. I am the original owner and did the museum delivery, so I am confident that there are no issues there!
[Modified by C5 StockSwap, 11:50 AM 11/14/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Re: Body Not Square on Frame...Ever Hear This??? (C5 StockSwap)
BTW...Regarding the question of the car's history. I am the original owner and did the museum delivery, so I am confident that there are no issues there!
When the car is lowered down it is only lowered down onto the suspension, the car is assembled in 2 parts, first the body and frame are assembled and the front and rear cradles w/ the suspension and driveline are assembled, then these 2 assemblies are put together to make the car. So there is no way your body would be mounted on the frame any way different than the other 160 cars were assembled that day.
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