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Twisted Subframe???

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Old Jun 3, 2007 | 10:49 PM
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Default Twisted Subframe???

I am getting ready to weld in full length subframe connectors and I am worried i might have twisted the body already.

When I got the car it would go through the car wash no problem.

Now it will leak from the top on the drivers side at the A pillar and from the Passenger side at the rear of the window.

Which would lead me to think that the frame has twisted ever so slightly.

What so you think?

Should I see about getting it fixed first. Is it bad enough to justify it?

Thanks
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Old Jun 3, 2007 | 11:25 PM
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Why would you go thru a carwash in a convertible to begin with?
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Old Jun 3, 2007 | 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by hardcorebob
Why would you go thru a carwash in a convertible to begin with?
They have these crazy things called "soft tops" that protect the interior of the car when they are in the "up" position. It is very new technology but I figured you would have heard of it by now.
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Old Jun 4, 2007 | 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Stroker396
I am getting ready to weld in full length subframe connectors and I am worried i might have twisted the body already.

When I got the car it would go through the car wash no problem.

Now it will leak from the top on the drivers side at the A pillar and from the Passenger side at the rear of the window.

Which would lead me to think that the frame has twisted ever so slightly.

What so you think?

Should I see about getting it fixed first. Is it bad enough to justify it?

Thanks
Since you are welding in your SFCs and you suspect a twisted chassis, DEFINATELY have it put on a frame machine and pulled square before welding in the SFCs. If you don't, you'll risk having a permanently twisted car that'll be WAY more expensive to fix later. A good chassis shop should fix you up w/ both the straightening and installation.
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Old Jun 5, 2007 | 01:19 AM
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Maybe your top is a little crooked? I would think thats more likely than a twisted body.

How do the doors open?


As long as the doors open fine and it drives good, I wouldn't worry about it.
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Old Jun 5, 2007 | 04:51 PM
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Originally Posted by 560SL
They have these crazy things called "soft tops" that protect the interior of the car when they are in the "up" position. It is very new technology but I figured you would have heard of it by now.


What I meant was: with all the pressure of the water coming at the soft top/rubber seals around the top, it's going to leak! I have a brand new top AND seals all the way around my vert. I made the mistake of taking it thru a laserwash and it leaked in several areas around the front windows. If I wash it by hand, no leaks.
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Old Jun 5, 2007 | 05:26 PM
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I don't ususally take it thru the wash. But the fact that I did and it was good (no leaks) and has developed these two leaks leads me to believe that I might have an issue.
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Old Jun 9, 2007 | 04:26 AM
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Try the frame machine as mentioned above just to see if your theory "holds water".
If your frame is straight, then the vert rule #1 was ignored.

Rule#1: Do not wash your car with high pressure water.

The only times my top leaked was in the high pressure car washes and/or on unlevel/uneven ground. The unlevel ground can twist the frame ever so slightly to create the leaks you mentioned. If you are driving in the rain and it leaks, then your frame (car or top or both) is twisted in some way.
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