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K Member Replacement
#1221254
04/23/12 05:50 PM
04/23/12 05:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,213
Los Angeles, CA
Mobarge
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,213
Los Angeles, CA
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A previous owner sometime in the past 41 years ran my Plymouth over a large rock, and dented the leading edge of the K member in front of the steering box. Wasn't a bad enough hit to tweak the sub frame that I can tell - the car tracks straight and level - but it did dent the K member on the leading edge. I should have replaced it when I had the engine out twice, but didn't. Oh well.
So here is the question: As part of a front suspension rebuild, I was thinking about replacing the K member with one that is not dented (purely from a looks standpoint). If I support the engine and trans in place with an engine hoist from above, and from underneath with a 4 X 4 spanned over two jacks on the bellhousing / pan, and support the front of the car with four jackstands on the subframe, can I drop the K member as an assembly (including the steering box and lower control arms)?
Has anyone done this?
As I said, should have done this with the engine out...
'71 SSP - SOLD!
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Re: K Member Replacement
[Re: Mobarge]
#1221255
04/23/12 06:36 PM
04/23/12 06:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347
Today? Who Knows?
1_WILD_RT
Management Trainee
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Management Trainee
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 27,347
Today? Who Knows?
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The typical way to do what you want to do is use an engine support bar, it sits on the area the fender bolts to the inner fender & a chain is attached around the waterpump snout..... I have two of the support bars, if you were closer I'd set you up... The same thing can be done with a steel bar & a couple 4x4's...
"The Armies of our ancestors were lucky, in that they were not trailed by a second army of pencil pushers."
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Re: K Member Replacement
[Re: Mobarge]
#1221256
04/23/12 08:14 PM
04/23/12 08:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,015
U.S.S.A.
JohnRR
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 75,015
U.S.S.A.
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Quote:
A previous owner sometime in the past 41 years ran my Plymouth over a large rock, and dented the leading edge of the K member in front of the steering box. Wasn't a bad enough hit to tweak the sub frame that I can tell - the car tracks straight and level - but it did dent the K member on the leading edge. I should have replaced it when I had the engine out twice, but didn't. Oh well.
So here is the question: As part of a front suspension rebuild, I was thinking about replacing the K member with one that is not dented (purely from a looks standpoint). If I support the engine and trans in place with an engine hoist from above, and from underneath with a 4 X 4 spanned over two jacks on the bellhousing / pan, and support the front of the car with four jackstands on the subframe, can I drop the K member as an assembly (including the steering box and lower control arms)?
Has anyone done this?
As I said, should have done this with the engine out...
One can never be too safe ....
I have pulled the K frame in the past, stuck a big wooden block under the oil pan after the car was supported on a pair of jack stands under the framerails behind the K I left the trans bolted to the crossmember, probably sat like that for a month .
Go for it .
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