prop shaft alignment

[jsfbond]

This is the right side frame, and lack of clearance.



And this is the left view

Its off a half a bubble, any suggestions on how to center the whole thing?

 

[bgbassplyr]

I suspect you are waiting for an answer, but I have no experience with Spits frames. Just a WAG, but if the car was ever hit on a corner, it could have skewed the frame out of square. Try measuring the frame diagonals. That will be the quickest way to determine squareness (squarity). If diagonals are out, the frame can sometimes be re-aligned with a chain and a come-along, if it is not too badly bent.

 

[Darwin]

If the differential has been swapped then the alignment issue may lie in the fact that the mounting flanges were "tweeked" to fit each diff to a specific car. Gentle massaging may be needed to align the diff to the frame. If your frame checks out square I would check the alignment of the diff to the frame. Make sure the prop shaft flange is at a true 90* to the frame and centered correctly.

 

[jsfbond]

What is the easiest way to remove said pumpkin to try swapping alignment bushings from side to side? Does anyone have a short cut? or am I disassembling the whole rear suspension?

 

[CJD]

What's the history behind the car? Have you had it long, and when did you notice the misalignment? Don't mean to pry, but I've found that most problems are generated by other work done in the vicinity...or accident damage.

John

 

[jsfbond]

The history is clean, I'm the second owner. The car was all orginal when I bought it.

 

[bgbassplyr]

Check the motor and transmission mounts for breaks or missing bolts/nuts.

 

[70herald]

Check the motor and transmission mounts for breaks or missing bolts/nuts.

 

[jsfbond]

Trans mounts are new, and engine mounts are okay-dokay.

 

[DNK]

Was this a problem before the trans mounts were done?

 

[Rhodyspit75]

Since it hits at the rear of the frame it does appear to be related to the position of the differential. There are not a lot of places for things to go wrong. Have you tried to loosen the three mounting points and forcing it to a position where it clears? Then retorque everything and see if it stays.

 

[Gliderman8]

Is it possible that one or more of the diff mounts are cracked and moved?

 

[jsfbond]

At the time I was only one year removed from the take down. I just bolted the rear end into place with out any thought as to it being shifted one way or the other. This was done twenty four years ago just after the frame was blasted/painted etc. And no it was not a problem before dis-assembly. All new suspension bushings, except the mounts on the pumpkin itself.

 

[Gliderman8]

All new suspension bushings, except the mounts on the pumpkin itself.

May be time to have a look the diff mountings... if they are original it could be that they have become worn allowing for some shift.

 

[foxtrapper]

Well, as mentioned the frame was "adjusted" at the factory for the differentials. The differential sets the pinion off center, so the drive shaft always just barely cleared. My hearsay understanding of the oem "adjustment" procedure involved large hammers and pry bars.

Up front, a little side to side adjustment can be made with the transmission and motor mounts.

 

[jsfbond]

My hearsay understanding of the oem "adjustment" procedure involved large hammers and pry bars.

I'm a carpenter! I can do this kind of tech work!

 

[jsfbond]

So it looks like I'm buying this bushing kit.

 

[Andrew Mace]

While they take yet longer to change (since you need to drop the diff. to do it), you might also go ahead and get a pair of 117578 rear mount bushings as well.