I. Frame Rail Straightening Part #2

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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.

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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.

New parts are supposed to be here tomorrow. The parts should help me get the final adjustments correct.

01/29/2013