Rear doesnt line up?

Discussion in 'Got gears?' started by BLT4SPD, Aug 7, 2005.

  1. BLT4SPD

    BLT4SPD Well-Known Member

    I was changing the coil springs out in my 70 GS the other day, and started taking a good look at the way the rear sits in the car. A few years ago when I changed out the upper and lower control arms and replaced them with fully boxed ones. When I did, I noticed I had to rotate the rear forward a bit to get the upper control arms to reach, and it was a tight fit at that. Now I am looking at the rear, and noticed several things.

    1) the whole rear is 7/10 of an inch to the right ( passengers side )
    2) The passengers side is closer to thr front of the car than the drivers side
    3) The rear is rotated clockwise about an inch, so if you are looking at the driveshaft from the side of the car there is a V where the universal joint meets the driveshaft.

    Maybe this isnt a big deal, but it doesnt seem right to me. I have gutted this car down to the bare frame and have seen no proof of a collision of anykind. I do suppose that this could all be a result of the control arms being incorrect lengths. They were made by HPM. They seem to be of high quality. I have driven the car like this and havent felt anything out of the ordinary, but Im just concerned.

    I am planning on replacing the rear anyway, maybe the answer is to have it professionally installed. Does anyone have any suggestions?

    Thanks,
    Rob
     
  2. 70gsrick

    70gsrick 1 of 66

    Mine isn't centered either. The car hasn't be wrecked and the rear has never been off the car. The control arms have never been removed. Mine is offset 1/4 of an inch towards the Drivers side. Where was your car built? Mine is a freemont car.
     
  3. BLT4SPD

    BLT4SPD Well-Known Member

    reply

    Rick,

    Mine was assembled in Frammingham, MA. It just seems very strange, I have to pry the upper control arms to get them to line up. I would wonder how this would effect the ride at high speeds. As I said Ive driven it around town, and never felt anything.

    Rob
     
  4. 462CID

    462CID Buick newbie since '89

    If I recall, this is common

    When I put my 12 bolt in, it really, really, really didn't look like it was possible to install that rear end, but it went in with the help of some cursing and a prybar
     
  5. D BERRY

    D BERRY 72 Skylark 2 DR POST

    Rob

    Have someone drive the car and follow it down the road to see if it's dog trackin. Ever watch an old hound dog trotting down the road, sometimes his rear end is kinda off to one side or the other. If your rear is not straight in your frame that's what your car will do. Unless it's real bad you'll never see it while your driving.

    Dave Berry
     
  6. wildcat4

    wildcat4 Well-Known Member

    Both my GS and my Skylarks rear are about 1/4 inch to the right. I was told this is normal.
     

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