Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me? #1188126
02/29/12 10:44 AM
02/29/12 10:44 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 958
eastern, pa.
C
cudabitten Offline OP
super stock
cudabitten  Offline OP
super stock
C

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 958
eastern, pa.
Hi, I guess the more I read here the more questions I have. It seems like the K-Member plays more of a part than just holding the engine, and tying the front end together.

What can you guys tell me about what goes on with this structure?
Looks like it's in a constant state of being pulled and pushed.

Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me? [Re: cudabitten] #1188127
02/29/12 03:39 PM
02/29/12 03:39 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
Striving for excellence
Kern Dog  Offline
Striving for excellence

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
I am learning more here every day. Some of the handling and cornering knowledge that I have began with my interest in Camaro/Firebird models back in 1986. Those cars are vastly different, but some principles do apply.
Regarding the K member and it's role, some members here, but not all, believe that some very simple modifications can be made to it to improve the car's handling. Some areas of the K member need to be better supported with better welds and more bracing. These mods are thought to increase durability and steering response.

Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me? [Re: Kern Dog] #1188128
02/29/12 04:44 PM
02/29/12 04:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,466
Answering the call of the wild
T
ThermoQuad Offline
top fuel
ThermoQuad  Offline
top fuel
T

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,466
Answering the call of the wild
My , not directed at the op, but my thoughts in general.

Just keep driving around on those un-welded, no steering box reinforced K frames and think your handling is great. But then again one must go test to see what really works. It's an ongoing process and only works if you are paying attention to details. A car's rotation thru the turn or lack of rotation is the final test.

I built a large, heavy, fast flat handling rwd car that steers like a car with rack and pinion and rotates well thru a high speed turn...how's that?...Do you think just frame connectors and spring boxes made that happen?? Hardly, however they do contribute but the welded k frame is the key. Show results not conjecture and theoretical hypothesis.

So let me know what you learned, in the meantime I am going back to the porch and take a long nap in the rocking chair.

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
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,645
Phila. Pa.
Mattax Offline
top fuel
Mattax  Offline
top fuel

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,645
Phila. Pa.
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.

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
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
72Swinger Offline
master
72Swinger  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
And dont think that the K member is the only area that can be improved upon either..


Mopar to the bone!!!
Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me? [Re: 72Swinger] #1188131
03/02/12 12:29 AM
03/02/12 12:29 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 958
eastern, pa.
C
cudabitten Offline OP
super stock
cudabitten  Offline OP
super stock
C

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 958
eastern, pa.
What is that?

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
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,312
SoCal
68HemiB Offline
master
68HemiB  Offline
master

Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,312
SoCal
Inner fender. To orient you, the blue thing is the top of a front shock.


Down to just a blue car now.
Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me? [Re: 68HemiB] #1188133
03/02/12 02:30 AM
03/02/12 02:30 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 685
Bismarck, ND USA
C
cageman Offline
mopar
cageman  Offline
mopar
C

Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 685
Bismarck, ND USA
Is that a tire rub mark

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
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 780
Woodinville, WA
Viol8r Offline
super stock
Viol8r  Offline
super stock

Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 780
Woodinville, WA
Quote:

Is that a tire rub mark




That is why I don't run them. To be low they must go!


1968 Pro-Touring Dodge Charger
*2011 Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge Invitee
http://www.popularhotrodding.com/features/1203phr_1968_dodge_charger/index.html
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
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
72Swinger Offline
master
72Swinger  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,302
Nebraska
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!!!
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
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 357
Lake Elmo, MN
Evil Monkey Offline
enthusiast
Evil Monkey  Offline
enthusiast

Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 357
Lake Elmo, MN
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
Re: K-Member role in suspension, what can you tell me? [Re: Evil Monkey] #1188137
03/06/12 03:14 PM
03/06/12 03:14 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Kern Dog Offline
Striving for excellence
Kern Dog  Offline
Striving for excellence

Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 18,493
Granite Bay CA
Its a great idea and doesn't cost much!







Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1