Is this a problem? I am concerned.

[Gloveman]

I realize these are component cars and require a certain amount of massaging to make work. However, if the chassis is not square what do you do?

After many hours working on the cockpit and front foot boxes, I finally got to the trunk area. I knew it was going to take some work because it was obvious that the aluminum panels were not properly aligned.

After a bunch of adjusting and figuring I finally realized the aluminum panels were square but rear of the chassis is not. The whole back end is sitting about 1 inch to the passenger side which you can see if you look at the picture carefully.

What do you guys think, is this a problem?

[Mike N]

That's probably due to weld shrinkage. I had to tweak the front radiator support structure on mine, I used a pipe clamp across corners and tightened until I had it square. The 3/4" tubing moves pretty easily.

[Gloveman]

Everything is off by 3/4 of an inch to the passenger side.

[first time builder]

I would post this in the ask a FFR tech section and cntact FFR.
Kenny

[David Hodgkins]

Gloveman, I fixed your title.

Do you mind if I move this to the "Ask FFR Tech" Section?

[Gloveman]

Probably belonged in the tech section to begin with.

Thanks

[David Hodgkins]

Moved to "Ask a Factory Five Tech" forum.

[Gloveman]

For you tech guys, I have been talking to Jason about this today.

Thank you.

[blademan]

And................

[Gloveman]

And................

They are studying the pics.

[blademan]

They are studying the pics.

Ok. Keep us updated!

[CDXXVII]

I am wondering if this is stil being addressed in the tech. forum.

Really interesting to see how to handle something like this and to what degree it would not affect the build as far as being out of true.

Please let me know if this thread is being addressed elsewhere.

[BigLeo69]

when something is out of square from measuring remember 3/4 of an inch is probably 1/2 of that to put it back in to square.

imagine measuring a square and the diagonals are 3/4 longer in dimension on one than the other, bump it 3/8 of an inch and its even...............HTH

[Lex]

Any response from FFR as to the problem?

[first time builder]

PM sent
Kenny

[Gloveman]

The problem seems to be that the original MK4 chassis was not properly braced in the trunk area causing the car to sag when it was put on the rotisserie in the welding jig. Not all cars were affected, but enough that Factory Five changed the trunk design shortly after the release of the Mk4. My car was one of the first MK4’s out of the factory and was probably shipped before the problem became apparent.

After much discussion with Jason Lavigne and a call to and from Dave Smith, Factory Five has offered to send me a new chassis and aluminum.

Thankfully, I did not start my build like the manual instructs. Since I am going to have all of my aluminum anodized, I wanted to get it all fitted, drilled and prepped before starting to actually put the car together. So, none of the front end or suspension has been installed.

My loss is about 50 hours of time and a dozen drill bits. My gain is a chance to start over with the knowledge I have acquired from fitting and drilling the aluminum once already.

I would like to thank Dave Smith and his team for standing behind their products. Nobody is perfect, it is how problems are handled that sets a company apart.

[3kcarbon]

Congrats on youi resolution and also your decision to predrill and fit the panels. Another builder talked me into doing that and it worked out very well for me. What was your car number? Mine is 7216.

[Gloveman]

Mine is 7183.

I am not sure where the MK4 started, anyone know?

Congrats on youi resolution and also your decision to predrill and fit the panels. Another builder talked me into doing that and it worked out very well for me. What was your car number? Mine is 7216.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Don't know the numbers where the changeover occured but a quick identifier is: black gelcoat=Mk3, red gelcoat=Mk4.

Jeff

[Chris Canning]

Thats unbelievable!! Talk about standing behind the product.
Ive got 7206 which is from the 1st batch also and if you adjust your aluminium you hardly notice it.
It is purely a cosmetic issue and I would have thought some complementry carpet for your trunk would have suffice.
Way to go Dave thats going beyond the call in my opinion!!

[Daddy-O]

Factory Five has offered to send me a new chassis and aluminum.

My loss is about 50 hours of time and a dozen drill bits.

My gain is a chance to start over with the knowledge I have acquired from fitting and drilling the aluminum once already.

I would like to thank Dave Smith and his team

You and Dave each deserve an applause for sucking it up and resolving this like real men. Well done! Nothing more unattractive to buyers than baby-whiners battling it out forever on a forum. You both lost something but gained 10x more.

Looking forward to this build! Thanks guys.