Body panel alignment
Discussion
Since purchasing my S 1.5 I have focused on mainly mechanical elements but noticed recently that it could benefit from body panels being aligned. I have been lead to believe this is quite a messy process. Bonnet is out and drivers door has dropped. Is this an easy fix? Or best left to a TVR specialist?
Not sure I'd describe it as "messy" but it does require a little patience and time. If you have them have a go, if you don't but do have a big fat cheque book take it to a specialist.
Thinking about it, if you start snapping bolts off or ripping bobbins out of the fibreglass then yes, it could get messy!
i have no idea of your skillsets or abilities but if you pat yourself on the back for managing to nearly complete an oil change in one weekend maybe it's not a job for you?
Yeah, servicing etc no problem, but to your point, anything body work related worries me as a mistake could result in expensive damage! Reading the Heath manual, alignment of the bonnet means total removal and a refit (with help). Re doors; this seems to be a hit and miss adjustment process, which while happy to attempt, really wondering whether it’s better left as is as I could make it worse?
Fez887 said:
Reading the Heath manual, alignment of the bonnet means total removal and a refit (with help).
Eh? Nonsense, imho.Fez887 said:
Re doors; this seems to be a hit and miss adjustment process, which while happy to attempt, really wondering whether it’s better left as is as I could make it worse?
Pesimist or optimist ? could make it worse could make it better?The bonnet adjustment needs some attention to ensure you do the adjustments in the right order and don't jam the bonnet closed, but it is perfectly practical for DIY if you understand the process and have basic spannering skills. The short version is:
Adjust the height on both sides.
Adjust fore/aft on both sides to get the bonnet parallel to the car centerline.
Adjust sideways to fit to the tub.
Adjust both sides fore/aft to set the wheel arch closure.
For big adjustments you might consider taking the bonnet pins out so they don't jam closed while you are messing about. If they do jam closed don't panic; the bonnet is surprisingly flexible and with the bonnet release wedged open you can usually apply a bit of brute force and get the pins to come free of the latch. Use masking tape over the latch to judge the final alignment of the bonnet pins.
Aligning the doors is a bit more traumatic and may result in you needing to replace the hinges if they have worn or siezed.
Adjust the height on both sides.
Adjust fore/aft on both sides to get the bonnet parallel to the car centerline.
Adjust sideways to fit to the tub.
Adjust both sides fore/aft to set the wheel arch closure.
For big adjustments you might consider taking the bonnet pins out so they don't jam closed while you are messing about. If they do jam closed don't panic; the bonnet is surprisingly flexible and with the bonnet release wedged open you can usually apply a bit of brute force and get the pins to come free of the latch. Use masking tape over the latch to judge the final alignment of the bonnet pins.
Aligning the doors is a bit more traumatic and may result in you needing to replace the hinges if they have worn or siezed.
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