This is kind of strange

[72VETTE454]

These pictures are of the upper rear shock mounting bolts in relation to the body. The driver's side bolt is actually rubbing on the body, on the outside of the battery compartment. The passenger's side is approximately 3/4" away from the outside of the jack storage compartment. I didn't think there was any adjustment side to side, as to how the body sits on the frame. I don't see how it could have shifted. As far as I know, the body has never been off. Thanks for any input.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

My guess is that at one time or another the left hand shock mounting bracket broke off the frame and Bubba welded it back in an incorrect position. Your right hand bracket looks bent also.

 

[JohnZ]

Also, the lock washer goes under the bolt head for this application, not under the nut.

 

[black_81_vette]

Like what was said needs a washer under the head and or wrong bolt.

 

[72VETTE454]

Thanks for the replies. I was actually using the shock bolt as kind of a reference, I'll have to take some different pictures tomorrow. But looking at the body/frame relationship, there is definitely a sizeable difference side to side.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

I looked at my car for comparison today, my driver's side bracket is approx. 1/8" further to the left than yours with respect to the frame. Perhaps this error has been there since day one?

As John and others have said the washer belongs on the other side.

The side to side difference body vs. frame is very common. None of them are truly 'centered'.

 

[vette427]

Can you find aother car like yours and get pictures? Pictures might also be in the service manual. Pictures are WAY better than guesses!

 

[72VETTE454]

OK, better pictures.

From some of the replies, it sounds like this may be fairly normal. I've just noticed it for the first time, and it didn't seem right. The first pictures are at the very rear of the body, right in front of the gas tank, looking forward, you can see the radio antennae and the wire harness on the driver's side. The next two are at the frame gusset right by the trailing arm front mounting bolt, looking in from the wheel well. Again, thanks for looking.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Obviously, the car has had its shocks replaced at least once.

I'll guess that on one side the wrong-length bolt was used and it rubs because of the length.

On the other side, the same wrong bolt was used, but the upper mount is bent to gain clearance.

Looking at the other photos where a measuring tape is used to show various body-to-frame distances, looks like the body is about .250 too far to the left.

It ain't going to be easy to correct that, but the shock issue can be resolved with shorter bolts or washers under the head.

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Very few C3s are positioned perfectly on their frames. 1/2" side to side is not rare.