Which comes first: Straightening the tub or structural rust repair? |
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Which comes first: Straightening the tub or structural rust repair? |
doug_b_928 |
Aug 28 2014, 06:16 AM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 692 Joined: 17-January 13 From: Winnipeg Member No.: 15,382 Region Association: Canada |
I've been disassembling my car and getting a better sense of what happened to it before my ownership. I think the car was hit on the left rear corner. It doesn't appear that it crumpled much at all. In fact, the left taillight assembly was re-used (the black plastic on the end is missing a 1 cm piece and there's a crack in the middle of the black plastic on the back). There's also a really bad bondo repair about the diameter of an average hand by the tailight. So I don't think much crumple-type of damage was done. But, that hit must have somehow twisted the chassis by either pushing the left rear down and/or pushing the right rear up. There is a big difference in height left to right when looking at the rear end (like 1 -1.5"). The suspension ear on the right is 4mm higher than the one on the left. The latter might even be within factory spec, no? Also, the distance between the trunk channels on the rear fenders is within spec for the front half, but the back half progressively narrows to being 1.5cm too narrow.
The longs, rockers, firewall and hell hole are shot and the door gaps by the door handles are too big (8-9mm). So, I'm wondering, (aside from the option of scrapping it), do I get the chassis straightened before metal surgery, or after surgery on the main structural parts? I could see the former tearing the car apart, and the latter creating imperfections in the newly repaired work. |
rick 918-S |
Aug 29 2014, 08:21 PM
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#2
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Hey nice rack! -Celette Group: Members Posts: 20,456 Joined: 30-December 02 From: Now in Superior WI Member No.: 43 Region Association: Northstar Region |
I totally meant to reply to your email but I have been in training for three weeks and my brain is mushy. I (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) forgot.
So "Y" and "h" are better locations. Not perfect but better. If these are consistent then "X" and "f" will better check for twist and windshield frame movement. Sir Andy is completely correct about the windshield frame. I use the doors to check panel fit and then measure the upper body as a second point of reference. It's lots of measuring before repairs even start. If the chassis needs pulling a 914 is not like pulling a coupe. Every movement needs to be carefully thought out or the door openings and panel alignment will be an over pulling disaster to try to recover from. You car is bent. With all the rust you will need to have it set on fixtures on a Celette. I would say it wouldn't be out of the question to have the welding repairs done while in the fixtures. The platform needs to be repaired and squared before you can start thinking about the welding process as the welding process will lock the car in a bent position when completed. If you pull it after you will be introducing stress that WILL snap welds. Fixture rental will run approximately $ 85.00 a day plus shipping to get them from the warehouse. approx. $ 250.00. So your looking at around 2k in addition to any other work the chassis needs. Hope that helps Doug (IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif) |
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