Bent Frame??

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grego37

New Member

May 12, 2004

576

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Fresno CA

May 10, 2005

#1

• May 10, 2005

• #1

Whats the best way to test / measure to see if my frame is bent or out of whack in a 1968 mustang.

The problems Im experiencing are the rear pass. sits 1/2" higher (at the wheel well lip) than the driver side. (newer Global West rear springs and shackle kit)

Also been playing with the alignment. I have eccentric lock out plates, and when they're set up on the same setting,the pass side has much more neg. camber,almost 1 degree. (all Global West suspension, TCP rack & pinion)

For now , I played with the eccentric plates until I got the camber very close on each side, and when I go for alignment I'll have them shim until equal to each other, and I also put a 1/2" lowering block under the high side of the rear end housing for a temporary fix.

Is this normal for a car this old to have problems like this?

Does this mean at some time in its lifetime it had a wreck?

Is what i've done to correct these problems the right thing to do?

Should I have the frame checked for squarness?

Can a frame shop correct a problem like this?

Should I have this corrected?

Thanks.

 

84convertablegt

New Member

Nov 6, 2004

589

0

0

Columbus, OH

May 10, 2005

#2

• May 10, 2005

• #2

do you see any signs of repairs. have the frame rails been cut out and replaced anywhere that you can tell or are they just rotted and rusted out? your car could have been dropped off of a trailor or something.

 

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grego37

New Member

May 12, 2004

576

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Fresno CA

May 10, 2005

#3

• May 10, 2005

• #3

No rust, no signs of repairs,no cut frame rails repair, front radiator support has a pounded out dent. Im guessing it had minor front end damage.
carefully inspected front frame section, under fenders, engine compartment etc..

I've had the car for 10 years, before that it sat in someones driveway for 12 years, car has seen only approx 700 miles over the past 22 years. It's in really decent shape for its age.

Im wondering if I can jack it up at 4 equal points and measure and compare areas against my garage floor.

 

1320stang

Founding Member

Nov 13, 1998

4,329

23

89

Edmond, Oklahoma

May 10, 2005

#4

• May 10, 2005

• #4

What you need to try and do is "X" measure the chassis. If you build a 2x4 wall on the ground and want it to be square, you measure the opposite corners in an "X" pattern. If you come up with the same number, it's square. Now this is only in one plane, but that should get you started.

I believe someone had some chassis measurements online somewhere. I know you can buy a book with the info in it at most Mustang parts dealers.

 

T

TT670

Founding Member

Jul 10, 2001

360

9

28

May 10, 2005

#5

• May 10, 2005

• #5

Its not uncommon to have the ride height vary on these old mustangs. My car is a suuuper rust free, crash free car and I measured every dimension under the sun and swapped a bunch of parts in an effort to figure out why my passenger side sits 1/2" higher, till I finally listened to some advice of others and left it alone. If youve checked rather close and cant find anything obvious Id bet its just fine.

 

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63_Fairlane

Founding Member

Jan 22, 2001

215

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16

Greenville, SC

May 10, 2005

#6

• May 10, 2005

• #6

The original build tolerances on these cars wasn't that great, and the 30+ years since then, probably haven't helped the situation. Like 1320 said, take some measurements from the suspension pick up points and see if anything obviously wrong pops out at you. If all of the measurements come out close, then leave it alone. If not, then you may want to find a frame shop.

 

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grego37

New Member

May 12, 2004

576

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Fresno CA

May 10, 2005

#7

• May 10, 2005

• #7

So if the car is slightly tweeked, I can have the suspension adjusted acordingly so its driving square?

 

sanyarcosean

New Member

Jul 2, 2004

9

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1

Red Lion PA

May 10, 2005

#8

• May 10, 2005

• #8

The rear sits in my car offset to the passanger side 3/8 of an inch, but the car is clean straight never hit and only has 89,025 miles on it. Its just the way it is. I was worried about it also but got the same answer, factory tolerances.

If the car is tweaked you should get it straightened. It is just likely that if you see no sign of damage that it isnt there.

Sean

 

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ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"

Founding Member

Dec 6, 1999

4,818

1

69

BC Canada

May 10, 2005

#9

• May 10, 2005

• #9

My passanger rear side also sits about 1/2" higher. With brand new rear springs..

I also looked the car over and cannot figure out why. My only guess is that over the years, the actual frame/sheetmetal will twist a little over time since the vehicle usually has more weight on the driver side while in motion.

 

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grego37

New Member

May 12, 2004

576

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0

Fresno CA

May 10, 2005

#10

• May 10, 2005

• #10

wow, so Im not alone on this one.
sounds like allot of people has this same issue of the rear pass. side approx 1/2" higher than the driver side..
Im sure allot of people have it and dont know it too.
thanks.

 

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grego37

New Member

May 12, 2004

576

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0

Fresno CA

May 10, 2005

#11

• May 10, 2005

• #11

I started a new topic 'DOES YOUR MUSTANG SIT LEVEL' to see how many more people out there are experiencing this.