Hey there

I'm just about taking out my engine and transmission to fix a front end problem: I have a small crack under my passg side upepr control arm (right below the rubber stop) and my K member ain't in the best of shapes. So here's the deal: I'll be havin all the front end reinforced (I'll take out engine and engine bay's elements, transmission, etc. Since I'm replacing my K and I have my core outside the car, wich by the way needs some welding, is there any recommendation you'd do in order to reinforce the K member? I'm running slightly firmer shocks, stock rubber bushings, police brakes with the larger ball joints, thicker torsion bars (1" dia main shaft).

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

Check for rust, cracks, or other problems, then weld all the seams.
There might be places that could use some reinforcement via added metal, but I'm not sure.
Re-clean it and powder coat or paint it.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

I think you should reinforce the area around the steering box...

yeah, what he said on the steering box mount and rewelding the seams. the entire perimeter of the k frame is mostly spot welds, so do yourself a favor and weld it all. you should also add some metal to fill in the gaps around it. also beef up the areas around the lca mounts. these are areas prone to cracks.

-james

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Thanks! I'm gonna play with my tig. One "ear" is already cracked, so I was already considering that reinforcing. Wise words about the steering area since I have power steering. I have one 16:1 power steering box that I "firmed up" by changing the crank pulley (went smaller) and it feels about no power steering at all in the city but it does help a lot in paralell parking, and it aint too squirrely in the highway. I was thinking of adapting some sort of A/C clutch to connect/disconnect my power steering so if I wanna go unassisted on the highway I can with just one switch from inside the car rather than having to loose my belt anytime I wanna go manual steer.

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

Firm Feel offers a boxed and reinforced K member. I installed one on my 63 Dart GT convertible, along with their sway bar and boxed lower control arm.

www.firmfeel.com/reinfkfram_a.htm

I had to "fix" my K-member by welding a large washer to the front side of the passage for the lower control arm pivot. Doing this first may save some headache later.

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ifyoubegintothinkyou'relosingcontrol...it'salreadygone

thanks for the tip. nice work made by FFI! I'd love to live up there and have the money to go reinforced LCA, tubular UCA, firm feel stage 1 pwer steering box, 3/4 heavy duty tie rods, etc etc etc.
(no poly, since I daily drive it in a city that is known for its pavement issues...)

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

If you have a tig welder, what are you complaining about???????
The results will be better than bolting on stuff, because you know why what does where...

I'm just complaining outta nuttin. Happens that I'm also a woodwind repairman, and every "awoling" thing tht I need at work is scarce or hard to find down here, so I have to be fabbricating every piece of crap that I want by my own. Is fulfilling and it gives a lots of practice, but sometimes when I feel lazy I'd love to have the option of going to a store and start like gimme 2 tubular upper arms, reinforced K member, please powder coat it, blah blah. I prolly wouldn't take that option anyway, but's nice to know that if you want you can fix your problems with money. Everything that can be fixed with money is as cheap as you can get said granpa, and he was awful right.

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.