I finally am starting work on my 64 El Camino. When I was removing the tires and wheels, I noticed the spacing between the tire sidewalls and the wheel wells was different on each side. It looks to me like the rear end is shifted to the right about 1/2 inch or so. Is there any adjustment to the bars that keep everything lined up? Or do I have a problem with something else?:confused:

There are several possibilities.

1. The axle is somehow not centered in the frame. Frame bent, control arms bent, control arm bushings shot, etc.

2. The frame is not centered on the body.

3. Tolerance stack-up when welding the body together--the wheelwells aren't where they are "supposed" to be.

4. Wheel backspacing or other wheel issues side-to-side. Unlikely, but possible.



First Guess: Control arm bushings have been pounded out over the years. That's where I'd start looking. Second Guess: since this is a '64, have the adjustable upper rear control arms lost their proper adjustment?

Third Guess: Body bushings rotted; body is moving around on the frame.

Yeah, i have the same issue on my 70. It appears to be a combination of things as well. First i noticed that i had 2 different length axles in my 12 bolt, got it from a guy in the classifieds years ago. But the pass side still sticks out further than the other.

I am starting to think on mine that the frame is not centered correctly, or the bodywork on it wasn't done correctly. One of the rear lower quarterpanels was replaced, and i dont know if they lined it up right.

Daniel

Yeah, that's what I was wondering about. I didn't know the control arms are adjustable. I figure it will be my best shot to go ahead and replace all those bushings and see what happens then. The frame looks good, but that is just eyeballing it. I haven't taken any real measurements yet.
With regard to the adjustable control arms; How are they adjusted? Is the bushing mounted to an eccentric or something to give you the adjustment? The arms just look like stamped steel units, nothing fancy at all.
Thanks for the ideas and advice.

Apparently...not all '64's have adjustable upper rear control arms. This was discussed recently on another thread--but I can't find it after a quick search. Seems the Canadian-built cars did not have adjustable arms.

Adjustment was provided by way of eccentrics.

This is a common thing with these cars. Apparently "exact tolerances" weren't necessary for a mass produced car in the 60's/70's. My 69 favor's the left side a bit. I measured from frame rail to inner lip and the body is dead on. I installed new tubular control arms and bushings and nothing changed. I added a 1/4" shim behind my pass. wheel and evened everything out. You can install adjustable uppers and center the rear by shortening one side while lengthening the other..

Thanks for all the information. Now I just need some time to get under there and check it all over. Time is my most precious commodity these days.

If you are able to loosen the body bolts, you might be able to move the body over some to balance things out. Be carefull not to shove the body against the front clip. Once centered you may need to adjust the front clip.

Apparently...not all '64's have adjustable upper rear control arms. This was discussed recently on another thread--but I can't find it after a quick search. Seems the Canadian-built cars did not have adjustable arms.

Adjustment was provided by way of eccentrics.

Heres the thread.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254217

Marcus