Re: Rear driver side panel alignment.

["twinenginedmc12" <twinenginedmc12@xxxx>]

--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, jordan rubin <nuttenschleuder@xxxx> 
wrote:
> Hello all,
> 
> I have no real understanding how the panels are
> attached to the car. I did notice however that the
> driver rear side panel that connect to the T shaped
> panel on top is slightly out. I can also see that on
> both sides that where it meets the rear vinil/plastic
> cover ytou can see it bulge out just a little.
> 
> Anyone know how to attempt to fix this.
> 
> 
> thanx
> 
> jordan

Hi Jordan.

The rear panels are attached with about 20 screws. On the front 
edge, the fender is screwed to plastic filler panels; on the rear 
edge, it's screwed to a metal bracket.
By loosening the front screws(after removing the weatherstripping at 
the door), you'll be able to move the fender around a little, not 
much, to adjust the gap between the fender and the top panel.

Adjusting the bulge in the rear is a little more involved. 
I suspect that the fascias shrink a little (0.4%) over the decades, 
causing bad fit on some cars over time. My car had this bad fit.
To adjust for this shrinkage, I took off the rear fascia 
(surprisingly painful, emotionally, if your bolts are rusty), then 
shifted the metal brackets which hold the fascia to the underbody 
inward about 1/8 inch (on your car, you'd want to make an estimate of 
how much adjustment would get rid of the buldging at your fascia)

If you're mechanically inclined, you'll probably have fun. 

Rick.