Gap in the bodywork

[petenbex]

Hi peoples.
I have just noticed what looks like a large gap in the bottom rail of my Freda. Does this look normal or do I need to get it checked. I just had my local garage replace the lower wishbone ball joint on the passenger side and the ride seems to have become really harsh. All these things could be imaginary what do you guys think?





Excuse the tatty stickers
Here is the other side.



Thanks, Pete.

[teenmal]

It is quite normal to have a gap there of approx 5mm,it is where the front wing meets the sill.

[Simon Jones]

The near side looks bigger than offside. May be worth a check under the van in case there has been some incident with a four post lift.

[teenmal]

Hi Simon, what is the "incident with the four post lift"that you refer too ,I am just curious.

[petenbex]

Thanks for the replies. The gap on the nearside is about 1cm and the gap on the off side is about half that. Like I say the ride has become harsh as well which makes me think that by being up on the ramp something has happened. whether allowing the shocks to fully expand has now made them less resistant, if that's even possible?

[Simon Jones]

Hi Simon, what is the "incident with the four post lift"that you refer too ,I am just curious.

When a vehicle is raised on a four (or two) post lift, it is vital the jacking pads are fitted on the correct points on the chassis. Failure to do so can result is distortion to the chassis, bodywork, or worse...



The gaps should be equal on both sides. Either the garage removed the wing to work on the suspension, which would be quite extreme, or something else has happened to cause the mis-alignment.

[teenmal]

Hi Simon, what is the "incident with the four post lift"that you refer too ,I am just curious.

When a vehicle is raised on a four (or two) post lift, it is vital the jacking pads are fitted on the correct points on the chassis. Failure to do so can result is distortion to the chassis, bodywork, or worse...



The gaps should be equal on both sides. Either the garage removed the wing to work on the suspension, which would be quite extreme, or something else has happened to cause the mis-alignment.

Nice,I always preferred the 4 Poster with the spiral mech myself,

[rita]

petenbex, check the gap between the wings and the doors and the top of the wings where they meet the W/screen pillars for uniformity, also look under the bonnet for any creases or signs that a replacement wing might have been fitted at some point.

PS, did the garage use a 2 poster (wheels free)type lift when they worked on the suspension.

[stuc]

Looks like they have supported it on the sill edge rather than the chassis rail underneath to me, have seen it loads of times. I bet if you look the lower edge of the wing and sill is bent outwards.

[petenbex]

Thanks again guys. The gaps around the doors and bonnet look fine I have taken a couple of photos of the underside of the rail and it does look like it has a small bow but I don't know if it's enough to make a difference. I guess I just want to know if it's something I need to be worried about



Cheers
Pete

[stuc]

It'll not take much to push the wing out of line, just get a block of wood and hammer it straight again, should be fine.

[petenbex]

Thanks, that's just what I wanted to hear!!!