Vibration

Jay Laifman (Jay_Laifman(at)countrywide.com)
Fri, 29 May 1998 07:54:56 -0700


I drove my Alpine to work yesterday to take it to a local body shop for a second opinion. He said it was no problem to fix it and explained how he would weld tabs along the body and use his frame machine to pull everything out. I mentioned this method to Rick and he said that this is not a good way to fix it. He said you really have to cut off the outside damaged layer, straighten everything underneath, then weld the outside layer - a new one or straightened old one back on. I have seen mention that the lower rocker panels contain the primary strength of the car. So, this makes sense.

But, now I am worried about something else. When I left work yesterday, while I was in 1st gear and moving up the parking structure, I floored it (venting a little frustration, I guess). The car took off, but vibrated pretty harshly. It seemed to be coming from the entire rear end - that is, like it was hopping on the pavement. Not violently or slowly. But firmly and quickly - like two thumps per second. This never used to happen. The one thing I should add about the accident is that the car hit me directly on the right side, and the right rear knock off did have markings on it as though it got hit too. Is it possible that the rear end is just not sitting on the springs right anymore? Or, could it be the mounting spots for the springs themselves are damaged? Or could it just be a problem with the wheel? I guess no one will know from this and I just need to pull it all apart and inspect it - if I can find anything.

Jay