Frame Issues - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

mesagsxbkr · 05-02-2009, 05:25 PM

About eight years ago, I picked up an 88 T/A with plans to fix it up etc. About a year into the work, we found that there might be some frame damage. I was going to get the frame checked out etc and then life got in the way, so the car has sat since then.

Anyway, I have decided to start working on the car again and I would like to basically totally restore it. Before I get started however, I want to get the body straight (and see if it is cost effective to get the work done). Does anyone know know of a decent chassis shop that can check out and align my frame?

The other issue I have is that the car is no where near drivable, so I am going to have to figure out a way to get it to the shop, but that is an issue for another day.

Thanks!

1QWIKBIRD · 05-03-2009, 08:02 AM

As long as the car is still a roller, then have it flat-bedded/trailered to any competent body shop and pay them to put it on a rack. What kind of damage do you suspect and what tipped you off that something wasn't quite right? Where are you located?

Chris

crazyblazer87 · 05-03-2009, 09:04 AM

There is a place called Steinmans frame shop in burlington twp./burlington city on route 130. My shop has used them to re-align magnum, 300, and charger front end engine cradles. They do good work and always get them fully set on the the first visit.

1QWIKBIRD · 05-03-2009, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazyblazer87

There is a place called Steinmans frame shop in burlington twp./burlington city on route 130. My shop has used them to re-align magnum, 300, and charger front end engine cradles. They do good work and always get them fully set on the the first visit.

That's not too far from where I work and I always heard they did good work, but never dealt with them. Good to know.

HeadlessNorseman · 05-03-2009, 10:18 AM

Where is the damage located? it may be cheaper to just source and entire subframe and swap that out. I think its welded though...forgot about that. Anyone know for sure? Plus you can redo all the bushings and wear items while your in there., and it will ride like a brand new car. Hell just changing wheel bearings makes the car feel like a much newer car

mesagsxbkr · 05-03-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1QWIKBIRD

As long as the car is still a roller, then have it flat-bedded/trailered to any competent body shop and pay them to put it on a rack. What kind of damage do you suspect and what tipped you off that something wasn't quite right? Where are you located?

Chris

When I originally bought the car, it had been in a (what I believed to be) small accident. I probably shouldn't have bought the car at all, but I did...The reason I am thinking that there is frame damage is that the fender needed to be replace, and when I replaced the fender, I could not get the fender to fit right at all.

1QWIKBIRD · 05-03-2009, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesagsxbkr

When I originally bought the car, it had been in a (what I believed to be) small accident. I probably shouldn't have bought the car at all, but I did...The reason I am thinking that there is frame damage is that the fender needed to be replace, and when I replaced the fender, I could not get the fender to fit right at all.

Start taking diagonal measurements from common points and compare. Passernger side fire wall to driverside frame horn. Then driverside firewall to passenger side frame horn.

Diagonals from front suspension pickup points to somwhere out back maybe rear LCA on chassis? If something is really tweaked you be able to see it.

The diagonals should be very close.