Body Alignment

[Too Many Projects]

Looks like mine will be here Friday.

[mhm1966]

Correct me if I am wrong but this is something that has been around for a while especially in the Auto Body industry. We have been using alignment pins and lasers for quite a while for chassis alignment issues.

[JEFF GHILANI]

Depends on what type of chassis alignment you are talking about.

Pins that aligned the actual body of the car to the chassis are more in the category of BODY alignment and I personally have yet to find pins that align the body to the chassis on these old fully-framed muscle cars outside of the crude ones seen occasionally in factory photos.

That's why I asked the guys on this thread if they have ever seen one sold in the service industry for old body and frame shops. Maybe someone will chime in on this. I originally assumed Kent Moore may have provided these in the OLD GM mechanic kits. I haven't seen one yet.

If they existed, someone on this site has seen them. I know some restorers may have made their own, but I can't speak to that.

There are a few pins in the aftermarket for the Camaro, Nova, Firebird subframe, but they do not provide axial constraint to keep the pin straight and they go in the bushing holes instead of the actual alignment holes so there is no real alignment going on. But, of course there may be some items out there that I have not yet found.

Also, lasers and such are great method that can be adjusted to the needs of a mechanic that has to service a multitude of brands. These pins actually fit frame holes that were designed into the chassis of the specific platform and years I advertised. They changed geometry and size somewhat randomly throughout the years and platforms. I've been to many shows and junkyards searching for this array of data. The pins are less universal than lasers and bushing pins, but are actually tied to the factory control points that were dimensionally controlled upstream to the stamping, fixturing and welding processes.

Ultimately, aligning using only the bushing holes was good enough for the service industry, but not the factory. (Although, the rear pin WAS meant to be put into the rear bushing from 64-67 A-body and 65-67 B-body, but I have not made those sets yet. Two pins (Front and Mid) provide full alignment, the rear pin just sets the flexible unboxed rear section of the chassis for the factory method.)

[Too Many Projects]

Originally Posted by mhm1966

Correct me if I am wrong but this is something that has been around for a while especially in the Auto Body industry. We have been using alignment pins and lasers for quite a while for chassis alignment issues.

My knowledge of alignment pins in chassis work is with gauges for checking frame, sub frame straightness. I worked at a heavy collision repair facility for 12 years doing classic vehicle body restoration, but did use gauges for certain structural repair measurements. Lasers have replaced gauges and are far more accurate.
I borrowed a set of gauges when I replaced the entire trunk floor in my Camaro, but retained the original frame rails.