So the Spitfire has a slight twist in the chassis

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228) 10/14/2013 at 16:19 • Filed to: None

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It causes it to rock when it's laid out flat on the floor (pretty level concrete), but only by 0.5-1cm. However, it's enough to make it so that the bonnet touches on one of the bumper mounts but not the other. Overall, it looks like it's been in a minor shunt at the front-right.

How much chassis twist do you reckon is acceptable? All of the suspension components are shimmed, so it's possible to get accurate stationary suspension geometry, but I'm a little concerned about changes in dynamic geometry.

I've had a quick google for frame-straightening companies, but they seem to be much more common in the States than here. I think unibody cars have been more common for too long.

It could be mostly in that little bumper mount bit, but it's hard to tell. I've been over it with a spirit level, and I can see a minor ripple or two in the right-hand rail, but nothing that seems that severe.

What do you think?

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/14/2013 at 16:27

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Hood is bent? Other than that. Big fuckin hammer right in the chasis will solve those problems.

scoob > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/14/2013 at 16:33

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Is it me or is this part bending ever so slightly?

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > scoob 10/14/2013 at 16:37

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Very good spot. It does look to be doesn't it?

It's the anti-roll bar which I've got lying around somewhere. I'll dig it out and have a look.

Telumektar > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/14/2013 at 16:38

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Maybe some bus/lorry company could have one of those chassis-straightening machines, after all they are mostly body-on-frame.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Telumektar 10/14/2013 at 16:40

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Good idea actually. They get in a fair number of shunts too.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 10/14/2013 at 16:49

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I'd imagine you might be able to put the rear on jackstands and then jack up one side of the forward crossmember to see what'd happen. That way you have the weight of the car to help and no suspension to work against you, though you might have to add sand bags or something to the RF corner to get force where you need it.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 10/14/2013 at 16:57

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I was trying to work something out like that, probably involving bits of 2x4 clamping the rear in place and a jack on one part of the chassis, weight on the other.

Not sure how strong these chassis are actually, and whether my jacks could provide enough force. I have 3 I suppose, so between them they might be able to get some meaningful pressure.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR 10/14/2013 at 17:10

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Sounds like a plan.