[ZTWsquared]

(08-14-2012, 07:54 AM)duckcanuck Wrote: OK, thanks.

I also wondered if the car was bent, but it does not show any other signs of damage, and paint is original.

Washers on DS actually would make things worse (hitch goes inside DS, outside PS).

I noticed that the tie-down holes on the car are radius-ed (I assume for greater strength). I wondered if it was a good or bad idea to grind those down flush (probably only worth 1/8 inch, and not a fun job).

So, from your experience it sounds like adding spacers/washers to take up the gap is a safe option, correct?

From that PS photo, you can see where the hitch will rest against the frame. It overlaps to the outside a bit. Is that a concern?

Bob

Hey Bob - I certainly don't want to suggest something that goes against your better judgement - I'm just in the peanut gallery LOL.

Yeah, I forgot the DS was inside the frame (IIRC the hidden hitch is on the inside of both) ... so I guess you only have one option which is to shim the PS. I don't think I would use just washers, I would want to use a shim that covers as much of the contact area as possible - sort of like building up the frame. That way the clamping force of the bolts is distributed across a much bigger area which will reduce the possibility of movement and shearing the bolt.

Tighten the DS, measure the gap, then go to some place like The Metal Supermarket and get a piece of steel as thick as you need to fill in the gap, and then use your spacer as a template to drill the holes.