Hi Jerry, An easy way for you to check if your frame is square (and even
easier if the body is off the frame as you can do this from the top or bottom
of the frame) is with a tape measure. You need to find two measuring points on
the drivers side, one at the front and one at the rear, that can be mirrored
on the passenger side. The measuring points can be anything on the frame, i.e.
holes, suspention mounting points, even the furthest corner/edge of the frame,
as long as they are the same on both the left and right sides of the frame.
Firstly measure the length, front to rear, of your chosen points. The drivers
side should be the same length as the passenger side (there should be no more
than 3mm difference). If they are not the same length, continuing any further
measurements is useless and you will need to have your frame repaired. Next
measure your points diagonally opposite each other ,i.e. left front to right
rear and compare measurements with right front to left rear. Again, they
should be the same. If they are not your frame is not square and there are two
possibilities that will cause this,(besides incorrect lenght). Firstly, the
front, rear, or center of the frame has been pushed accross or secondly, one
of the rails has been pushed back, causing your "square" frame to become a
"diamond" frame. This will need to be repaired.
The simplest way to check frame twist is to eye of the frame, front to rear,
whilst being positioned in front of the vehicle, in the middle, again
comparing the left and right sides.
Keep in mind that a car or this era has more tolerences and adjustments, when
compared to a modern vehicle, so a frame slightly out of square might be
acceptable, i.e. a good wheel aligner might be able to "correct" it.
Philip Agius
Auto Body Repairer
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2003 07:45:00 -0400
From: "Jerry C Shaw" <slowtoaccept@yahoo.com>
Subject: Frame alignment measurements - "jacking points"
My Bentley TR6 shop manual has instructions for checking frame twist and
squaremess. Seems pretty involved.
Has anyone done this, or am I better off taking it to a frame shop?
It mentions jacking points, but doesn't identify location.
Anyone know where the jacking points are?
Thanks
Jerry Shaw
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