Rear tire to fender clearance difference side to side

[Mark Wilson]

Seems that on some early cars, there is a side to side difference how the tire/wheel sits relative to the quarter panel where one of the tires sits closer to fender than the other. It is pretty pronounced on Annie - probably 3/4" or so out on the right side. I have seen some threads on Pelican where people explained this discrepancy away as the cars were built by hand and not machines. Is this a viable explanation or are there other reasons? I tried a search and didn't come up with any discussions. Has anyone successfully centered the drive train up or is it something you live with?

Mark

[Flieger]

It is more likely a corner balance/alignment effect than variation in manufacturing. The cars were not as hand built as a Ferrari 250GTO, which usually had better fitment than that. If you get in the car, the left will come down. The idea of a corner balance is to properly distribute the weight of the car among the 4 tires so that grip and stability is maximized. This is done in a race-ready configuration- meaning with driver, oil, fuel, etc. that will be in the car when driven. If the driver gets out of the car after the corner balance, then the mass distribution changes so the left side should come up.

[Eminence Gris]

I had a '73 that I discovered had been hit in the right quarter and the right rear wheel was "in" by about 5/8" due to a kink in the torsion bar tube ($$$$)

I had my alignment guy bend the spring plate outward. Solved the problem.

[Esposito]

Mark, did you measure the quarters to see if they are different?
Run a tape from the inner apron at the top of the tire to the outer edge of the quarter lip.

[Mark Wilson]

John,
The rt quarter sits 1/8" closer to the apron - thanks for the suggestion. Warren had refreshed the suspension in the early 80's and I'm guessing he never drove or aligned it afterwards. I'm wondering if the camber may be way off. She's on jackstands without wheels right now, so no way to check.

EG,
That's very possible, as the rt door and front of quarter show evidence of some heavy handed 1970's bodywork.

Mark

[Esposito]

Mark there are ways to measure the suspension components.
Is the car local to me?

[Mark Wilson]

John,
Wish I was, but I'm in Dallas. I can probably get Ed Mayo to take a look at the suspension. I plan to take her to his shop for the initial start up attempt (after 25ish years of hibernation).

[Esposito]

Ok, good luck with her!

[gled49]

I don't think that it is unusual to have your problem. On more than one occasion I've had to increase -camber/raise ride height to gain clearance on the right rear with no bent arms good balance and alignment. Gordon