Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me?
[Re: Kern Dog]
#1188129
03/01/12 10:19 AM
03/01/12 10:19 AM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,645 Phila. Pa.
Mattax
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,645
Phila. Pa.
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Frankenduster summerized the opinion on the situation.
There's a few things to look at in terms of construction; geometry, attachment and integrity. Since the K's are not all the same, their rigidity is not all the same. When there are problems, they seem to primarily be the steering box mount, and integrity. By the latter I'm refering to seams that were a bit open when welded and things like that.
Since you (the OP) are going to be using this only as a driver, there is little gain to be had here if the integrity is OK. With sticky tires, high rate springs, sway bars etc, then stiffening the chassis becomes important. That said, poor weld joints and highly leveraged steering boxes can be a problem even on street driven vehicles. For example, there were some Dodge vans that had a reputation for having a problem with the steering box mountings.
My only caution to those with much stiffer springs etc is that if the car will ever be used for competition, be aware of the rules. Some sanctioning bodies do not allow seam welding in certain classes. In these cases care should be taken that the welds look to be either factory or acceptable repairs.
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Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me?
[Re: Mattax]
#1188130
03/01/12 11:03 AM
03/01/12 11:03 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302 Nebraska
72Swinger
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
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And dont think that the K member is the only area that can be improved upon either..
Mopar to the bone!!!
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Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me?
[Re: cudabitten]
#1188132
03/02/12 01:07 AM
03/02/12 01:07 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,312 SoCal
68HemiB
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,312
SoCal
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Inner fender. To orient you, the blue thing is the top of a front shock.
Down to just a blue car now.
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Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me?
[Re: cageman]
#1188134
03/02/12 02:40 AM
03/02/12 02:40 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 780 Woodinville, WA
Viol8r
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 780
Woodinville, WA
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Quote:
Is that a tire rub mark
That is why I don't run them. To be low they must go!
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Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me?
[Re: Viol8r]
#1188135
03/02/12 03:08 AM
03/02/12 03:08 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302 Nebraska
72Swinger
master
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master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
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Yep the 275s get lovey dovey pullin into the driveway. I think I have a solution, just dont have a bender. They dont rub going through a corner though thank goodness.
Mopar to the bone!!!
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Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me?
[Re: Mattax]
#1188136
03/06/12 08:18 AM
03/06/12 08:18 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 357 Lake Elmo, MN
Evil Monkey
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 357
Lake Elmo, MN
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Quote:
That said, poor weld joints and highly leveraged steering boxes can be a problem even on street driven vehicles. For example, there were some Dodge vans that had a reputation for having a problem with the steering box mountings.
It wasn't just the Dodge vans either. I had the factory welds on my steering box mount fail on my Cuda, and it's never worn anything but street tires. There was a thread here a few years ago about reinforcing the steering box mount welds, and there were 5 or 6 others that said they had complete failures of the welds also. Some guys had some pretty exciting stories from when theirs failed, but I wasn't moving fast when it happened to me, so I got it stopped without hitting anything. Complete loss of steering, though, but if I was moving at highway speeds who knows what the results would have been.
I didn't know anything about welding up the K frame when I fixed the steering box mount, but the next time I pull the engine you can bet the K frame gets welded too!
1974 'Cuda 360/TKO
1990 Ram Van
1998 Neon
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