Hi, all.

I picked up a '72 Spider that had a body in GREAT condition. (one of the reasons I got it) But now I am not sooooo sure....

I have it up on jack stands to change the transmission fluid, speedo cable, clutch cable, differential fluid, etc and I noticed something funny. On the jack stands (at the four approved jack points) the doors rub pretty bad. It is to the point that I do not want to force the doors to close now that I have opened them. I never noticed any body flex before and the doors NEVER rubbed. I have stuck my fingers into the holes where the doors mount to the body and have found no sign of any rust or weekness. It is still up on stands until I can finish the clutch cable (grrrrrrr).
So.........

1) How much flex is acceptable?

2) Where should I start looking for week points? Under the rocker panels?

3) Have I lost 3 nights sleep for nothing? (ha ha I hope so!)

My plan is to finish the clutch cable and then put it back on the ground to see what happens. I had a '75 Spider years and years ago and seem to remember that it did the same thing. But I am not sure.

If anyone has any ideas, experience, or suggestions I would be grateful.

Thanks,
Dougieb
'72 Spider

you have 3 sections providing support thru the doors. the 2 door sill tubes and the tranny tunnel. if these have problems it will be due to extensive rust, fatigue cracks at the stress points (front and back door sills), or folds in the metal at those same points. The door might not align properly for closing and would require lifting a little, but shouldnt be rubbing the sill. When you think about it, the chassis is actually supported better at the jack points than when sitting on 4 tires. take a close look at how the door fits while up on jacks and then see if it changes when down on all fours. pull the carpets back on the sills and take a close look at weld points and look for stress cracks.

I would think if the car had significant rust that weakened the unit body, that would be visible from the outside.
Nevertheless, it's worth taking off the rocker panels to see what condition is the load bearing rocker section in.

azruss wrote:When you think about it, the chassis is actually supported better at the jack points than when sitting on 4 tires.

I think this is true, and it is worth pointing it out again. The fact is, the body is supported differently at the jacking points than at the wheels. Combine this with the fact that a uni-body WILL flex, to some degree, and I don't think I'd worry TOO much about it. Make sure that you don't have any rust issues, as you've described, pr previous damage to those supporting components.

Here's a thought: when it's back on the ground, sitting on the tires, try sitting on the body, right behind the door, and then open and close the door. See what you get. This is really the practical test, since that is the type of stress the body is likely to see under normal (or even extreme) use. if the doors still close correctly when the passenger compartment is loaded, I would think you're gonna be just fine.

Well, I finally took her off jack stands last night and everything seems to be alright.
The doors open and close with no abnormalities.
Two people in the car makes no difference.
Maytag called it. I think the body flex is different at the jacking points than on the suspension.
At least for my car.

Anyhow......... I am just loving life with my car running again.

Thanks,
Dougieb