Frame Alignment before Paint

[69isfine 10]

I'm told by some of mustang guys that a frame alignment is a great first step before painting and avoiding fitment issues.  Costs is about $1000.  Is this common practice for you?

[aslanefe 333]

Was the figment bad before teardown? I assemble the panels, doors quarter extensions, bumpers, door handles before paint and check fitment. This way if something needs to be fixed, you can see and fix before paint.

[barnett468 418]

unless the car was wrecked, it is pointless to have it checked for being straight.

[1969_Mach1 333]

11 minutes ago, barnett468 said:

unless the car was wrecked, it is pointless to have it checked for being straight.

I think I'd add does the car sit level.  Or does it lean to one side for unknown reasons?  If it sits level and has never been wrecked, probably okay.  Shock towers leaning inward are the other common issue.  Even on cars that were never in an accident.  $1000 sounds like a steep price to pay for measurements.

[JayEstes 172]

Can't see why it should cost $1000 to have the frame checked for alignment.  I'd be a little cautious of laying out that kind of cash as I don't think anything they can find will make that big of a difference.... I haven't had that done so, I don't know.  My rebuild didn't need it, the body shop got all teh panels properly aligned with a frame that had had 2 minor hits/repairs prior to my owning it.

[Johns Summer of 69 14]

I had to have the front of mine straightened because of an accident not the front passenger side which caused it to sit 3/4 of an inch lower. I got it towed, straightened and aligned for 550.00, so to me I would agreed 1000.00 sounds like too much.

[Rsanter 152]

You know there are frame specs in the back of the ford manual.

you can take basic measurements yourself and inspect for any signs of past damage.

if there are no signs of past damage and the measurements you take are very close, then why would you need the next step

[69isfine 10]

The car looks like it was hit on the front right based on the rad supports. It looks ok aside from where the wheel sits in the wheel well. There is less clearance than the other side. 

[fvike 173]

Cross measure it across the engine bay to find if it is off.

 

[Mike65 475]

When I had a 68 GT Coupe back in the 80's I had a f/e accident with it where I had to replace the radiator support & r/s front inner fender panel & did not see any frame damage so I did NOT have the frame checked & it went back together just fine & everything line up.