Ok, a question I've had for a long time..... My chasis creaks and seems to be a little weak. I'm assuming that aquiring and installing SFC's will help this problem imensley. But, aside from that, what and where are some common places that usually absorb the most stress and are more likely to distort? Right now, the Hood doesn't shut correctly (Could just be the hood) and its not that big of a deal, less than an inch off on either side. And the back hatch doesn't shut properly, its a little crooked. The Passenger Side Door doesn't line up with the front fender properly. And I've developed Stress Cracks in the upper, rear window area.... both Drivers side and Passenger. There not anything incredibly major, but, they are there, and it is a new paint job... sooooo. Any info would be helpful here, just need to know what I have to do about it. Theres really no rust on the body, its in overall good condition. How bad is all this crap? And what do I do to resolve it, if anything.

ThanX Guys

Adam

 

Yes SFC's will help, but I don't recommend putting them on until you've fixed the frame. Another weak area is the frame area behind the steering box. A Steering Brace (aka Wonder Bar) will help relieve the stress there. The crack in the roof needs to be professionally healed. Have them drill a hole in the end of the crack, then fill it with weld and grind flush. I suppose they could back it with a reinforcing piece as well. It sounds as if your car was in one or more accidents in it's lifetime. The hood, fenders, doors and hatch can all be aligned. Each has slots so they can be adjusted. It would be best to take the car to a frame shop and have them take measurements and strighten the frame first. Then have SFC's welded in. Lon

 

i have th infamous crack behind the steering box. how much would a shop charge me to weld a brace, and how much and where can i get a steering brace?

 

Which cars came with the wonder bar from the factory?

 

I believe the IROC was the only car to offer the factory "Wonderbar"

If you have the hard top version, I would even recommend getting the T-top door jam pieces for extra stiffness. it should help transfer some of the load from the top to the doors.


That with SFC's should tighten up your car.

John

 

My hardtop GTA had a stress crack over the drivers side roof line. I got sick of looking at it, so I put in a pair of SSM SFC's and had the crack welded/painted and it has not come back knock on wood so it has definitly helped me. Oh by the way what does the "T-Top door jam pieces" look like?

 

Chet,
I e-mailed you pictures of the wedge pieces. Convertibles have them as well.

Lon

 

My '86 has a 1" or so crack on the inside of the drivers door starting at the top about even with where the steering wheel is. Both of the plastic pieces on the top of the door panels have cracked in two there. I've seen a couple of thirdgens with a crack on the sailpanel just about even with the top of the door, and one hardtop with a crack in the rear upper corner of the drivers door opening.

 

I'm also interested in what these pieces look like.
Could you post a pic here please?

 

Here are the pictures. Lon

 

no pics

 

I don't know why it doesn't show up for some. I suspect you have to register with Yahoo for a picture album. I will e-mail them to you. Lon

 

n/m

It would not let me delete my post aaaarrrgh!

John

 

Could somebody send me the pics of the wedge?? also does anyone have a picture of the steering box crack?? thanks

 

Oh, before I forget, to mention this, when getting those wedges & stuff from T-top cars, remember to get the shims as well.

I think all you will need is a Torx T-15 to remove the wedges...

John