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Re: vibration at speed

To: Gary Leroux <geevee@shaw.ca>, spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: vibration at speed
From: Douglas Braun <doug@dougbraun.com>
Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 22:12:39 -0400
At 06:41 PM 5/16/2003 -0700, you wrote:
>After a couple years of amateur restoration I finally have my mark 3 spit on 
>the road.  I of course have a few final problems giving me major headaches, 
>hopefully I can get some input from list members.  Problems as follows:
>
>1-  the bonnet seems twisted and does not fit properly, too far away on the 
>passenger side and too close on the drivers side.  If I adjust the pivot bolts 
>to compensate they are both at their maximum adjustment and the bonnet is 
>flexed and bowed.......any ideas?  can I raise the bonnet and twist in the 
>right direction or will this just cause more trouble?
>
>2-  the doors do not fit correctly, both bottom rear edges are rubbing ( very 
>nasty on the new paint job ) and the strikers are up as high as they can go.  
>The passenger door is also as far forward as it will go and there is barely 
>any door gap at the rear.  Any ideas?

I would begin at the beginning:  Carefully check the frame for alignment and 
damage, especially
the frontmost part where the bonnet is hinged, and the wings that hold the 
front of the body tub.

>3-  There is a serious vibration problem at about 45 miles an hour that seems 
>to be originating in the rear of the car.  I have tightened all flanges and 
>the u-joints seem good and the tires are new and balanced.  What could be the 
>cause and how do go about checking possible causes.

Definitely an out-of-balance driveshaft.  Remove it and bring it to a 
driveshaft shop where they can check
the U-joints and balance it.  It will be less overall hassle than trying to 
balance it by trial and error
with hose clamps, etc.  The Spit is very sensitive to driveshaft vibration, 
since you sitting only a few
inches from the shaft.

Good Luck,

Doug Braun
'72 Spit 

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