modifying showthread template
 

I am trying to add a 200 pixels left hand column to showthread in order to display ads on my site

I add the test


then the rest of the showthread template up until



$footer

my problem is that no matter how small or wdie I make the left hand column the thread display gets pushed out of my borders to the right. I have my forum set at a fixed width of 1000 pixels.

any help would be appreciated.

thanks in advance