is body flexing normal?

[jim79]

I decided to put my 79 midget up on 4 jackstands this weekend so I could get the rims blasted and powdercoated. I placed 2 jackstands on the front frame rails and 2 jackstands on the forward leaf spring attachment plate area. Well now it seems that my easy to open drivers door is difficult to open and close? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif I am sure my concrete floor is not level but is this normal for these little cars? Any info or explanation would be appreciated.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

Mine does the same.

 

[aeronca65t]

Yeah, mine stopped doing that when I put the rollcage in.
But also, be sure that sills (or "rocker panels" as some call them) are truly solid on your car.
If they are "soft", the car will flex a bit more.
And as on many cars, these parts rust from the inside out.
If there is a lot of internal rust, you may wish to consider repairs soon (you can remove the 4 oval-shaped rubber plugs inside the car and look into the sills to get a better idea).
G'luck.

 

[jollyroger]

Yes, these are flexable flyers. The Big Healeys are much worse than the little ones. I like to think of the body as part of the suspension.

 

[jlaird]

LoL, now that's a funny thought but oh so correct.

Or you could just think that a sexy little car is in motion.

 

[jim79]

Thanks for the info. I checked and I do have some rust on the inner rocker panel so now I'm thinking it needs to be replaced. Again thanks for all of the comments.

 

[Matthew E. Herd]

I basically believe mine to be rust free. It does not exhibit noticeable body flex (the doors always shut just fine).

 

[SilentUnicorn]

you mean that isnt normal!!.. ut oooo


mark

 

[GB1]

I have also had flex in all of my spridgets, and it did go away with the installation of a rollbar\cage.

 

[DesertSprite]

Same here, my Sprite has a roll bar in it and the doors always shut nicely, body doesn't seem to flex that much. Then again, I've never had a Sprite without a roll bar.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif

 

[vping]

If body flexing is normal, how would one replace the rockers without the body sagging & the doors now functioning properly? I have the doors welded across the openings which I did before I started to take it apart. Do I need to have the car on the ground/wheels or jack stands or what. It may be a bit late for that as the engine is out & the front end is off.