J. Frame Rail Straightening Part #3

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Frame Rail Straightening

Part #3

The new parts arrived. So, I got busy working on the rails again on January 31, 2013.

I spent a lot of time today trying to decide how to measure the elevation of the front rails. I used my 1999 AE as a guide. I found that the car sits with the pinch weld level on both sides.

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Using that as a reference, I used the measuring tram with a level to determine if the front rails are also parallel to the floor. I set the bar level and lowered the rod to touch the rail so I could check how to bend each rail. Both sides of the AE were the same elevation.

I then leveled the Orange Miata by setting the pinch weld on blocks at all four corners. Then I used the measuring tram to check each rail.

I also checked the car was level side to side.

The passenger’s side rail was almost dead on.

The driver’s side rail is down 1” at the front end.

Now I have to decide what to do to bring it up. I may have to resort to taking it to a frame shop. If I cannot devise a way to hold the sub-frame attachment point down while jacking the rail at the end, I will not be able to make it move.

The passenger’s side headlight surround was keeping the rail from moving the other day so I removed it. That should allow the rail to be pulled back into place.

I also had to do some dent removal in the passenger's side rail.

This rail still needs to be moved about 1/4" but it can wait until the driver's side is moved up.

01/13/2013