View Full Version : Front Body Alignment
Snakeskin347
02-04-2021, 10:16 AM
Hi guys, a couple of years ago I purchased an already built MK4 that looked really good and it was one that was built with 100% new parts. Due to the fact that I am in Canada and combined with our strict import laws and currency exchange rate this is something that I jumped on quickly when it became available. To make a long story short, I put a lot of time and money to make this car as close to something that I would of built myself and it is coming along quite nicely except one thing that is literally driving me nuts, it looks as if the front of the body is sitting too far to the drivers side of the car. The drivers wheel is flush with the fender lip while the passenger side wheel sticks at least 1" out. Also, I had to cut the mounting plate slots for where the hood bracket mounts to the frame to make it fit properly. This car is finished and painted with everything else fitting perfect, does anyone have a simple solution on how to adjust this on a finished car before I tackle this on my own?
narly1
02-04-2021, 10:25 AM
It's not something as simple as two different wheels with different offsets is it?
Just me but I think you have to work back from there and figure out what's going on.
egchewy79
02-04-2021, 10:47 AM
you typically need to move the DS front QJ frame mount about 1/2" towards the PS by knocking the frame with a 2x4 and sledge hammer. Center the body measuring from the shock bolts to the wheel well lip and not the tires as caster/camber can affect how much tire shows. if this is even on both sides, then consider checking your alignment.
If you move the body over, you'll likely need to move your hood hinge brackets as well to get everything gapped appropriately again.
Snakeskin347
02-04-2021, 12:18 PM
No, I'm 100% the body is off and the only way that I can see is to maybe bend the quick jack mounts somehow but I think that I will have to disconnect the rad as it is attached to the body and the frame as well?
egchewy79
02-04-2021, 12:39 PM
you can smack the frame with the radiator in place, or at I did it that way. it doesn't take too much to move. just put a 2x4 on the outside of the mount and hit it a few times w/ a sledge. you can also file out the bolt holes a bit to move the QJ bolts over a bit.
Snakeskin347
02-04-2021, 01:29 PM
you can smack the frame with the radiator in place, or at I did it that way. it doesn't take too much to move. just put a 2x4 on the outside of the mount and hit it a few times w/ a sledge. you can also file out the bolt holes a bit to move the QJ bolts over a bit.
OK, thanks for the info. Just to be safe I'm going to safe I'm going to un-rivet the hood opening from the frame (only the side that the guy could line up) , pull the hood, remove the QJ bolts and pound each frame mount over 1/2" - 5/8" and hopefully it moves over smoothly without distorting much of the car. I'm pretty sure that the hood opening wasn't supposed to be riveted to the frame? I'll have to find some type of weather stripping to cover the holes anyways.
egchewy79
02-04-2021, 01:41 PM
typically you only need to move the DS QJ mount. There might be enough room in the PS slots to move the bolts w/o moving the actual mount.
and yeah, the body is supposed to be floating over the frame, not riveted together. There should be a 1/2-3/4" gap between the body and the radiator support cross member. Not sure if your windshield will be a factor or not depending on how much room you have between the posts and the body.
You may get a kick out of this thread ...
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?27790-Initial-Body-Fitting-Questions
Snakeskin347
02-04-2021, 02:53 PM
You may get a kick out of this thread ...
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?27790-Initial-Body-Fitting-Questions
Thanks for sending me that thread as those pictures look exactly like what I'm dealing with. I'm relived that other people have dealt with this issue and successfully resolved it! I'm just worried that I'm dealing with a completely finished car! Oh well, the car is quite simple with many adjustment points for me to play with, I'm sure with enough pulling, shimming, pounding and measuring I'll be able to even out the fenders to the wheels. I hope the hood still fits the opening when I push the front over 1/2"!
Thanks again!
Snakeskin347
02-07-2021, 07:14 PM
After removing the inner radiator and panels and taking off the fasteners that pin the body to the underside of the frame I eventually got everything to line up! Thanks for all of the great information guys! The 2x4 and hammer worked perfect and I also had a little help from a "come along" attached to one of the posts of my hoist.
Spiel_Spec
05-13-2025, 12:19 AM
@Snakeskin 347 Was it just your fenders which seemed off. I have the same issue, on a completed car. looking for some encouragement and more information on how you completed it and if you hit any snags anywhere- Also curious what looked off before in addition to the wheels, and what changed. Thanks. I also sent a PM.