Unibody Twisted?
#1
Unibody Twisted?
I have a huge problem.I have an 89 camaro rs that someone dropped a carburated 350 in.I just got the car two weeks ago and have been getting the car road worthy (I haven't even got to drive it yet).Anyway the car came with the stock wheels except the rear pass side had a donut on it,This is where the problem lies.Today I finally got a matching set of tires on it and guess what the pass side sticks out from the fender about a half an inch and the drivers side is way inside the wheel well.Also the rear pass side of the car sits up about two inches higher than the drivers side.Is the unibody twisted or is it something else?This will be the second one of these car I have gotten and never got to drive because of structural problems.It sucks because the car is otherwise very nice and I have become very attached to it already but If it is ruined I Think I'll give up on these cars altogether.Well thanks In advance for ANY input.
#2
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Car: 80 SE/TTA;88 T/A GTA;86 T/A
Engine: 4.9L Turbo; LT1; empty
Transmission: TH350; T56; empty
Axle/Gears: 3:23 disk; 4:10 disk ; 3.42 disk
Re: Unibody Twisted?
as far as the alignment, check the panhard bar and make sure that the mount/bar doesn't look altered at all. As far as ride height, it's possible, but check the shocks and such, make sure the spring and shock aren't bad. Never heard of one side blowing out and not the other, but anything is possible. Otherwise you can always stick the car on a frame machine and for a bit of money get it fixed.
#3
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Car: 85z-28
Engine: gm goodwrench 350
Transmission: t-5
Axle/Gears: stock, 3.08 one wheel peel!
Re: Unibody Twisted?
it kinda sounds like the car has been lowered without replacing the panhard bar. the panhard bar helps keep the rear end centered but when you lower a third gen the panhard bar shifts the rear end to the drivers side thats why you need an shorter/adjustable bar( i believe, its been a little while since i looked back there) this may be the problem cuz the panhard bar body mount is on the pass side but i wouldnt think that it would lift the car that much
good luck
good luck
#4
Re: Unibody Twisted?
Thanks guys I took a closer look and the bar is bent as if someone tried towing it with the strap attached to that bar.As far as ride hight I'm still confused but I feel a bit better now.BTW does anyone know how hard it would be to run another bar connecting to the other side of the axle to make it strong both ways instead of just left to right?
Last edited by camaro 350; 04-17-2008 at 05:07 PM. Reason: incorrect spelling
#6
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Car: 86 Trans Am, 92 Firebird
Engine: 408 sbc, 3.1L of raw power
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Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 3:70 trutac, 3:23 torsion
Re: Unibody Twisted?
no reason for that, one bar work plenty fine. If you get under the car and look, there is an upper panhard bar as well, connection the chassis on the driver-side to the passenger-side chassis panhard mount. Things are pretty well tied together back there, no reason to add more parts.
#7
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Re: Unibody Twisted?
Adding another bar going the opposite way would not allow your suspension to cycle (Move up and down) I would suggest replacong your panhard bar with a nice adjustable one. They are not too expensive and well worth the money. If it still has issues with sitting level then I would take your car to a reputable and well-equipped body shop and have them look at it. A good shop will have I-car certified tech's who are trained to diagnose and repair such problems. A good shop will not usually charge to look at it. Hope this helps, I'd hate to see you give up on third gen's!
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#8
Re: Unibody Twisted?
ok I wont try to mod it then.as far as the ride height goes I,m going to replace the panhard bar right now and while I,m at it I,m going to replace the shocks hopefully that does it.
#9
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Re: Unibody Twisted?
Shocks usually dont affect the ride height. If I were you I would replace the panhard bar (sometimes called a track bar) with a nice adjustable unit and if that didnt work I would next replace the rear springs ( I replaced all 4 with a kit from Eibach) They are pretty affordable. Good luck!
#10
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Car: 89 RS Convertible
Engine: 305 tbi
Transmission: 700R4,B&M friction,Transgo shiftkit
Axle/Gears: 2.73 LSD
Re: Unibody Twisted?
BTW does anyone know how hard it would be to run another bar connecting to the other side of the axle to make it strong both ways instead of just left to right?[/quote]
you cloud use a watts link... $$$
you cloud use a watts link... $$$
#11
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Car: 1982 Trans am
Engine: 383
Transmission: AGE M22Z
Axle/Gears: Moser 9" 3.70 detroit locker
Re: Unibody Twisted?
Did you check the rubber bushings under the rear coil springs I can't remember what there called but if ones missing one side will sit lower than the other.
#12
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Car: 1987 Firebird
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Re: Unibody Twisted?
if your body is twisted, some of the symptoms you may experience:
1) Door pins have no play, but door doesnt quite line up right.
2) Fender to door gaps are not even from top to bottom.
3) In some extreme cases, the dashpad, will hit the door on the interior side, but only on one side and not the other.
1) Door pins have no play, but door doesnt quite line up right.
2) Fender to door gaps are not even from top to bottom.
3) In some extreme cases, the dashpad, will hit the door on the interior side, but only on one side and not the other.
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