This is pretty easy to spot if it's broken..
Rich
-----Original Message----- From: Jay Laifman <Jay_Laifman(at)countrywide.com> To: alpines(at)autox.team.net <alpines(at)autox.team.net> Date: Friday, May 29, 1998 8:25 AM Subject: Vibration
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>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.
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>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.
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>Jay
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