Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

[tdskip]

Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

Hi guys - before I start digging into the TR4A solid axle I wanted to first ask if I should be bothering. Specifically, this car was in an accident and the passenger side front frame has a kink.

Here is the kink;

I've only driven her a little, and she seemed OK but it was hard to tell since the rear end was all over the place due to other issues. So;

1) Does this need to be straighted before the alignment can be made right

2) Is it a fool's errand to even try to build this car up?


Ideas/experiences/thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[hondo402000]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

seems to me you would have to put it on a frame machine in order to see is it only cosmetic or is the frame bent/ out of square...etc

never had that problem so just a comment
by the way nice jack!
Hondo

 

[tdskip]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

LOL - I am completely addicted to these aluminum jacks. Only way to fly, er, lift.

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

Tdskip.

Doesn't look that bad. Make a template of the inside of the opposite frame and flip it over to place it against this side. If you don't see major different of angle, then it should be okay. Don't think I would spend the money for frame machine, you'll still have the dent. Also wouldn't try to make a show car out of it either. A good driver candidate. My two cents worth.

Marv

 

[tdskip]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

I was thinking driver Marv, good idea on the angle. Had not thought of that. Thanks.

 

[TR3driver]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

Tom, somewhere at home I've got the name of a frame shop in the SoCA area that has our old cars in their database. IMO it would be worthwhile taking the car to them, regardless of whether Marv's template idea reveals any distortion or not.

Also consider carefully what other damage might be concealed. I just decided last night that my RF vertical link must be bent and causing the trunnion to bind ... didn't mean to reuse the link from the wrecked car but maybe I did by accident. It turns freely with the suspension at full droop, but gets noticeably hard to turn with the car supported under the spring pans.

 

[Andrew Mace]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

I realize it's not exactly a bare frame, but you probably can get enough access to use some of the cross-measurements found in the Workshop Manuals to check for overall straightness (and perhaps "plumb" as well if you have a relatively flat floor). I agree it doesn't look too serious, but I'd think a good frame shop could make short work of any problems...and probably pretty much get rid of the "evidence" as well.

 

[HerronScott]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

Tom,

Do you have 2 TR4A's - 1 solid axle and 1 IRS?

Scott

 

[tdskip]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

Tom,

Do you have 2 TR4A's - 1 solid axle and 1 IRS?

Scott

Yep.

I've taken a Soviet approach to quality. Quantity has a quality all of it's own...

 

[HerronScott]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

I'm a firm believer in the more the merrier.

Scott

 

[tdskip]

Re: Front frame damage & ability to get car "straight"

I've always found it was good to have a spare handy ;-)

(the herd will get thinned at some point, kind of in this stupid more is more phase. that and they are all dangerously close to being able to used as real cars soon.)