1968 firebird .. rear end seems off-center!

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1968 firebird .. rear end seems off-center!

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1968 firebird .. rear end seems off-center! - 2/22/2008 1:13:44 AM

knafel

Posts: 1
Joined: 2/22/2008
Status: offline

Hi guys,

I was measuring the rear fenderwell clearances on my 1968 firebird to decide for a wheel spacer and noticed that the right wheel sticks out about an inch more towards the fender lip than the left wheel. Also noticed that the right wheel is sitting an inch more towards the rear of the vehicle and the left wheel more towards the front... Has anyone heard of a such misalignment situation? It could just be the rear fender sheet metal, but I don't think so, this used to be a straight car, no sign of accidents or anything. When the snow is gone, I will pull the car on a lift and take measurements from underneath. Until then, does anyone have an idea? Could this just be standard tolerances? I know this is not a camaro, but it's the same body, I thought you guys could help me out.

* I have 255/50/ZR16 tires and 16" AR TT2 wheels, both with same width and backspacing, nothing wrong there.
* Standard rear drum brakes
* Hotchkis sport leaf springs (about 1.5"-2" drop)
* Bilstein shocks
* Hotchkis rear sway bar* No traction bars installed

Post #: 1

RE: 1968 firebird .. rear end seems off-center! - 2/23/2008 1:31:34 PM

JRs72RS

Posts: 290
Joined: 1/1/2007
Status: offline

You may be just seeing a difference in the quarter panels. If someone replaced them it is very posssible they are not exactly the same. Before jumping the gun on any repairs or mods take measurements from the centerline of the car or use the frame raiils as a reference point. Has the diferential been replaced? I have seen where people have put coil rear end in leaf car and welded the perch mounts off center.

(in reply to knafel)

Post #: 2

RE: 1968 firebird .. rear end seems off-center! - 2/23/2008 8:42:37 PM

68streetfreak

Posts: 6
Joined: 8/13/2007
Status: offline

if you measure from the center point of the front wheel to the center point of the rear wheel both sides should be equal length, and using the center line to measure to the inside which should be equal length aswell hope this helps do you find your car pulls to one side ?

(in reply to JRs72RS)

Post #: 3

RE: 1968 firebird .. rear end seems off-center! - 2/25/2008 8:09:59 AM

1969 SS

Posts: 1240
Joined: 4/23/2006
From: Massachusetts
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: JRs72RS

You may be just seeing a difference in the quarter panels. If someone replaced them it is very posssible they are not exactly the same. Before jumping the gun on any repairs or mods take measurements from the centerline of the car or use the frame raiils as a reference point. Has the diferential been replaced? I have seen where people have put coil rear end in leaf car and welded the perch mounts off center.

absolutely all good points and semi-common possible things to look at

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(in reply to JRs72RS)

Post #: 4

RE: 1968 firebird .. rear end seems off-center! - 5/4/2008 1:08:56 PM

t9ojetpilot

Posts: 504
Joined: 2/23/2007
Status: offline

these may be mere differences in assembly or could be from past wrecks or saggy body to frame connections among other things. from the factory the novas of that vintage had nearly an inch difference on the left and right fenderwell clearance, just the way it was! the f body's may have had the same situation. a few measurements and a four wheel alignment should tell you if the car is heading straight down the road or has a twist in it somewhere and adjustments will have to be made from there kurt

(in reply to 1969 SS)

Post #: 5

RE: 1968 firebird .. rear end seems off-center! - 5/5/2008 3:01:48 PM

arocars

Posts: 5
Joined: 2/15/2008
Status: offline

I had a 78 Camaro with the same problem. The rear-end was original and the car had never been hit. The d/s rear wheel was an inch closer to the fender lip than was the p/s rear wheel. I never did anything with it. I figured it was probably within factory tolerance.

(in reply to t9ojetpilot)

Post #: 6

RE: 1968 firebird .. rear end seems off-center! - 5/5/2008 4:41:49 PM

Blade