D. Michael Scott wrote:
> A lot of listers have been giving me great information for my rear
> suspension rebuild job, and it is now progressing well. I am almost
> ready to re-install the rear suspension. However, a scary thing happened
> along the way.
>
> When the right rear of the car was on a jack, there was no problem
> opening and closing the driver door. Then I jacked up the left rear
> side too. After I opened the driver door, the next day the door would
> not close. As it appears, there is a slight extra space clearance (1/8
> to 1/2 inch) between the door and body plates, so the car door is just a
> little too far for the jamb and the body latch to fully engage. So I'm
> wondering if the car flexed out from the jacking point (under the frame
> to front of rear wheels) and if this may represent some serious frame
> distortion. And of course, I'm wondering if my door will return to
> normal when the tires are back on the car.
>
> Extra info TR sleuths: 1) This car had major welding of the frame
> before I bought it 5 months ago, though it looked extremely solid and
> essentially well done without any sanding down of the weld lines. It has
> been a great driver, though the driver door was especially sticky/hard
> to open and close. 2) Now, I have identified a mild bend (with a slight
> upward direction to rear most frame) to the top and side of the frame
> at two inches to the front of the the bump stop on right rear. I have
> identified a mild bend (again with slight rear upward) on the left rear
> frame - located over to the right of the interior trailing arm bracket
> and primarily on the side of the frame member pointing external. 3) I
> suspected that after all the patch cutting and welding, the body shop
> must have put it on a jig and attempted to bend it back into correct
> proportion. The car came out of the body shop and soon after to me.
>
> The jacks seem to be well located and there is no evidence of any
> bending of the frame where the jack has contact.
>
> Any suggestions as to what may be happening, how to assess, and whether
> Frame Distortion Nightmares are to be expected.
>
> Thanks for your help, D. Michael/South Jersey
> 75 TR6
> 62 Sprite - in pieces
Michael,
It is quite common for you to not be able to open the doors when the car is
completely
up on jackstands. The TR-6 is a notoriously flexible chassis and even
beautiful,
unmolested chassis are subject to the same condition you describe. It will go
back to
the way it was when back on the ground without any fuss. If you want to close
the
door completely, jack up from the rear of the car onto the cross-tube where the
stud
that holds the spare tire comes through. Put a piece of wood on the jack to
avoid
damaging threads on the stud.
Good luck!
Regards,
Brian Schlorff '61 TR-4 '64 TR-4 '72 TR-6 '79 Spit
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