Frame Rail Straightening Part #2
I worked on the front rails again on January 29, 2013. The driver’s side rail needed to move a little more and the passenger’s side had not been moved at all. I placed the front end of the Miata between two pickup trucks and rigged chains to pull against the trailer hitches. I again used wood to fill the rails down to the sub-frame mounting points.
I set the measuring tram for a diagonal measurement using my 1999 AE as a guide. I also checked the measurements against my 1999 LS to be sure they matched. Based on those dimensions, I pulled the rails.
I got the driver’s side to match exactly even after removing the pressure. It took going about 1/4” beyond the dimension to ensure the correct measurement.
I could not quite get the passenger’s side to stay at the exact measurement. Even after taking it beyond the dimension, it would not stay but is within 3/8” without the pressure applied.
Both rails are still uneven on the Y axis. The passenger’s side is high and the driver’s side is low. So, when I move them up or down, I will try to get the last bit of adjustment made before trying to mount the new parts. |