Body jig

[Fspp369]

Do any forum members know of a body jig available for checking the tub on an S3 OTS.?
I can’t see any seriously damaged areas but there were large quantities of filler all over the car, 17 1/2 kg to be precise!
I have the car stripped mechanically, ready for blasting and now is the only opportunity I will have to check it out, body paint prep starts ASAP
Thanks.Peter.

[71 V12]

Peter, if you want a company to set the body up on a jig try Rod Jay RJ Panels near Bedworth.

Rod built my S3 roadster body some years ago and made an excellent job of it.

Kevin

[mgcjag]

Hi Peter...I havent heard of jig doing the rounds for home use.....there are body alignment measurements in the S3 service manual body section that should help......Steve

[Fspp369]

Kevin,
Thanks for the info.
BTW I asked CMC about putting on a jig...£970 +vat...phew, no mention of anything else...just to put if on!
P

[71 V12]

Hi Peter, I don’t know what CMC charge per hour but I guess it reflects their reputation. There must be a couple of days work setting up the body on a jig. I would say really worth giving Rod a call even if only to get a comparison cost. He is a Jaguar apprentice trained sheet metal worker, all he does now is E Types - definitely worth a call and worth a visit just to see the quality of their work.

Incidentally Neville Swales has his workshop (or did) on the same site for added interest.

Regards,

Kevin

[Thor]

Ask around old skool bodyshops if they can do a DROP CHECK on your car.this will give a very precise measurement .not many people even know what it is or how to do it.

[steve3.8]

Peter ,I don't think it is necessary unless there is obvious signs of chassis / bulkhead damage or inner and outer cill replacement .
Set the tub up with a quality spirit level across the cills and front to rear,then check across the bulkhead - across the front frames and across the rear chassis legs , that will give you an accurate reading of any body twist--

Regards

[Fspp369]

Steve,
There are some signs of damage but not major, a dent in the footwell panel, sill replacement.?, when the engine frames came off they both gave a little “boing” as the last bolt came out...normal?
So I’ve put my survey laser on the places I can compare but these are trivial places and I can’t get parallel beams.
Hence the thought of a body jig. Drop checks mentioned by other members is an option if I can find a suitable bed. I could drop a plumb line onto the workshop floor and mark the points and then measure I suppose!
P