D-Dubya
11-17-2023, 08:22 PM
This is a new post from a problem I posted a couple weeks ago:
I'm still struggling with this issue and it is getting down to crunch time as I anticipate the body shop being ready for the car in about 30 days. I have solved the centering issue and was successful in getting the body centered side-to-side with the rear door openings about 1/8" ahead of the strike plate on both sides when the front wheel wells are centered, measuring from the shock towers. However, I am still not able to get the body to move forward enough to get more than 1/8" clearance between the door opening and the latch strike plate.
I have trimmed the body cowl at the rear and front and still have plenty of room for the body to move forward another 1/4" to 3/8". I have also trimmed the aluminum trunk panels (vertical and horizontal trunk lip) about 3/16'-1/4" and I am concerned about trimming too much off and creating a situation where the bulb seal does not "seal". The bulb seal seems to be in contact with the body in the trunk and I think I can shave off a bit more in an effort to get the body to move forward, but I am reluctant to do that.
Are there any other pinch points or places that I need to inspect that would keep the body from coming forward another 1/8"? I have been advised that I need at least 1/4" clearance between the rear door opening and strike plates or I will have a lot of problems getting a proper gap at the rear of the doors. I know good body guys, like Jeff Kleiner, can work magic with fiberglass, but I don't really want mine to have to put that much time and my money into correcting this with body work.
What am I missing? Should I take more off the aluminum in the rear or are there other areas I am missing?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Doug
I'm still struggling with this issue and it is getting down to crunch time as I anticipate the body shop being ready for the car in about 30 days. I have solved the centering issue and was successful in getting the body centered side-to-side with the rear door openings about 1/8" ahead of the strike plate on both sides when the front wheel wells are centered, measuring from the shock towers. However, I am still not able to get the body to move forward enough to get more than 1/8" clearance between the door opening and the latch strike plate.
I have trimmed the body cowl at the rear and front and still have plenty of room for the body to move forward another 1/4" to 3/8". I have also trimmed the aluminum trunk panels (vertical and horizontal trunk lip) about 3/16'-1/4" and I am concerned about trimming too much off and creating a situation where the bulb seal does not "seal". The bulb seal seems to be in contact with the body in the trunk and I think I can shave off a bit more in an effort to get the body to move forward, but I am reluctant to do that.
Are there any other pinch points or places that I need to inspect that would keep the body from coming forward another 1/8"? I have been advised that I need at least 1/4" clearance between the rear door opening and strike plates or I will have a lot of problems getting a proper gap at the rear of the doors. I know good body guys, like Jeff Kleiner, can work magic with fiberglass, but I don't really want mine to have to put that much time and my money into correcting this with body work.
What am I missing? Should I take more off the aluminum in the rear or are there other areas I am missing?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Doug