My chassis twisted hardcore Options

[turnaround89]

I braced the chassis, but obviously not enough. I lined the doors up properly, had the gaps correct, and then put the braces in. I took the braces out today, and went to test fit the passenger door and it won't even come close to shutting. the door lock does not line up, i tried adjusting the hinges but had no luck. The things are way off....any one have a fix? I really don't want to buy a tub because i just put a ton of work into this one. If it comes down to buying a tub, i guess thats what ill have to do, but i really would like to avoid that.

[nykthebartender]

How much is way off? You can shim the door hinges where they bolt to the pillar. A shim in the top moves the rear of the door downward, a shim in the bottom moves it upward. Tough to say without seeing it though.

[scotty b]

If the latch is out, how does the door line up with the body ? Tight at the top or bottome? Rocked in or out at the top or bottom ? Sitting high or low of the body ? There is a fair amount of play in both the hinges and the latches. Get the door and body lined up then worry about the latches.


Best yet, post some pics. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

[rick 918-S]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/thisthreadisworthlesswithoutpics.gif)

[yeahmag]

Yeah... Take the striker out and close the door. Show us the gaps.

[J P Stein]

I did something similar wheb installing my cage. Went to a chassis shop up the street and had the fella bend the sucker. I had a tube to weld across the door gap (but down low) to hold it. It worked. I donno if it would have sprung back without the tube. Over bend (pre load) & pray is the way do do it before you do the work. Doing it after is iffy but has possibilities.

[SirAndy]

went to test fit the passenger door and it won't even come close to shutting

If the door is off in the up/down direction, simply open the door and grab the back and slowly pull it up until it lines up ...

That's how the body shop would fix it.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif) Andy

[bobhasissues]

What were you welding?
Engman kit
Clamshells
Other
As said previously, you have to post some pictures

[McMark]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) we need a bunch more info/pics.

[turnaround89]

I welded in clamshells over the longs and also put in new inner longs as well. The passenger door sits about 3/4" low at the back. The strikers are then that far off as well. I have tried pulling up on the bottom of the door, however, if i pull up too much the triangular window will just make contact with the windshield frame. ill try to get some pictures tomorrow. The door sits really low.

Shims in the bottom may help a little, but once again, too many and the window will make contact with the windshield frame. Im really excited that the chassis is super rigid, but i don't like not being able to shut my doors.

[davesprinkle]

That sucks. The only real option is to cut a few slots through the new sheet metal to allow the car to spring back to its natural position. Then weld up the slots again. This time slowly. Do a couple inches, then use an air compressor to blow it cool.

[turnaround89]

the weirdest part is that the door hangs low at the back...i don't think the car is unsafe to drive, its just the doors will not line up. The chassis is way stronger than it used to be. I took some measurements, and the car has shrunk...the gap from the windshield frame to the targa bar is the only severely off measurement, everything else seems right

[davesprinkle]

the weirdest part is that the door hangs low at the back...i don't think the car is unsafe to drive, its just the doors will not line up. The chassis is way stronger than it used to be. I took some measurements, and the car has shrunk...the gap from the windshield frame to the targa bar is the only severely off measurement, everything else seems right

That's right, you've curled up the longs into a curve. The door sits low, the door opening is the wrong shape, the targa bar is too close to the windshield header, your wheel alignment is screwed.

It might be stronger, but it's definitely not better. I know this sucks to hear, but you need to try to undo this. You should cut a series of slots through the added sheet metal to relieve the stresses that you've locked into the car.

[rick 918-S]

Don't bend the door! Fix the chassis. If you bend the hinges in the door frame you will build in a new problem. Someplace there are chassis dimensions. maybe here or on the bird site.

Or you can ge measurements off a known good car. Do you have a parts car with a good door opening? Even a rusted one usually had a driver side that is good (not sagging) You need to find out if the cowl is leaning back or if the latch pillar is leaning forward.

Don't assume anything check, check, check. Then cut through the chassis stiffening and use a port-o-power to adjust the gap back. You will have to push past the correct place because the car will spring back slightly wen you release the pressure.

Be sure you cut through the chassis stiffening before trying to push the car back. If you don't weaking the car you will just push damage in the car someplace else.

Good luck!

[sean_v8_914]

yup. show teh good chassis doctor your set up, bracing used, jack stand set up. how did you support the car.

[rick 918-S]

I'm like 400 miles from you. (6 hrs) But I have a full dance card or I would gladly come down to help. Show us a couple photos maybe we can help figure out this puzzle.

[ghuff]

Pics. You can recover from this.

[Eric_Shea]

http://www.914world.com/specs/bodydims.php

Find out where you are. Then you'll know where to go. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Krank]

Has anyone tried bonding stiffner panels in with the panel adhesives now available?

[yeahmag]

That's a really interesting idea...