K member removal

Posted By: 71rm23

K member removal - 09/23/08 03:31 PM

I have a '71 RR that I'm restoring. I want to do the mechanical stuff myself then take the shell to have the body painted, someday

This is going to be my winter project. Planning on removing the K member and components to have them powder coated. I don't have a big shop, wish I did. I've never done this before so any advice/opinions will be helpful. Here are some questions/concerns I have:

1. Is this do-able?-I have a jack and two sets of jack stands. Is it hard to install the member? Just looking at it I'm confident it can be done, both R&R.

2. Car is currently on tire skates for mobility.

3. Where do you start? Of course, safety is my concern.

4. Take pictures while dis-assembly and video? I have manuals as well.

5. Moog suspension parts- Good choice or Poly?

6. I'm thinking of changing the upper control arm to a tubular one. Boxing the LCA ????

I know alot of you guys probably did this as well. Tell me the pros and cons. What you guys went through.
Thanks Moparts

Posted By: moparpollack

Re: K member removal - 09/23/08 03:41 PM

Does the car have a motor installed? If not it's an easy R&R project. Pull the steering column, unwind the torsion bars/remove them, split the a arms from the spindle, remove the 4 bolts walla! Gin up some stilts for the front and it still will be mobile.

Posted By: 71rm23

Re: K member removal - 09/23/08 03:43 PM

Quote:

Does the car have a motor installed?

The motor is ready to be pulled, SOON!

Posted By: moparpollack

Re: K member removal - 09/23/08 03:47 PM

Pull the motor and the k frame together.

Posted By: RoadRunner

Re: K member removal - 09/23/08 03:52 PM

Can be done with or without the engine and trans in place. More complicated and harder if they are in place. Basically disconnect everything to engine (hoses, harnesses, exhaust, etc). Remove steering column. Jack up car and unlaod the torsion bars by cranking out the adjusters on the lower control arms. Remove wheels and brakes. Undo tie rod ends, drop the center link, remove nuts from all ball joints. Seperate the spindles from the upper and lower control arms.

If engine is still on K frame, figure out how to support the load AND be able to lift the shell off the k frame. If enginer is out, then a floor jack will work under the k-frame. Loosen the lower control arm nuts. I never have good luck removing torsion bars without damaging them unless I loosen the lower control arms. Loosen and remove strut rods and shocks. The lower control arms should slide off the torsion bars. Don't forget the little brace between the lower rad support and k-frame. Remove steering box and four large bolts holding k-frame on and drop it out. You can then remove the upper control arms and that should clean up the front end pretty good. I think I got it all.

Posted By: 71rm23

Re: K member removal - 09/23/08 04:04 PM

Can't pull the motor and member as one. I'd like to but not feasible right now. Pulling them separate is my only choice. Everything is off the motor, needing only to pull it.

KEEP the advice/opinions coming, please.

What about MOOG parts? Change to tubular UCA?

Posted By: Fab64

Re: K member removal - 09/23/08 06:34 PM

I'm going with Moog upper and lower ball joints, and using Spicer professional grade for just about everything else. Best prices I found were from Rock Auto, with the exception of lower ball joints which I got from Amazon.com of all places.

For Rock Auto, discount code 12229291058690 is good for 5% off your order until November 23rd.