Bent K-Member?

-

HellCuda

Active Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2018
Messages
26
Reaction score
21
Location
Austin, TX
I'm just getting started on an engine swap, pulled the slant 225 and started cleaning things up. I noticed the k-member looked a bit banged up, but can't really tell what exactly happened. Is this anything the be worried about, or just paint over and forget?

20180908_151323.jpg


20180908_151257.jpg
 
At the bare minimum, weld up the crack that is on the front.
I would unbolt it from the frame and see if it has any tension on the bolts or if it ''springs'' out of place.
If so, replace it of course.
 
That left side dent is not normal, looks like something very heavy landed on it. My only concern would be if it tweaked the whole frame. And probably not- my '68 had some K-frame and lower firewall damage when I got it. These cars may have gone through things before we got them.
 
Looks "folded" like whatever it is/was in was hit hard on that corner. Might explain why the seam looks like it was welded/ground. Just my $0.02 inexperienced opinion.
 
First check for square. It should be the same measuring opposite corners (left rear to right front and right rear to left front). I have been successful in straightening one that was REALLY bad, but you need a jig to mount it in and it's a lot of work. Also, make sure the frame is square.

We recently pulled the k-member out of my son's Dart. I really had not inspected it when I put it in my old Dart over 20 years ago. I found one LCA pin tube had been broken out and had plates welded over the outside. this repair was done very poorly and did not allow the LCA pin to fit all the way in the tube, leaving it slightly loose.

This is his k-member both before I got started and after I got the tube out. I already have a jig to mount the k-member and one to locate the pin tube. Will probably get it fixed on Wednesday.

In other words, don't be afraid to fix one. People want stupid money for k-members these days.

20180916_132050.jpg
20180916_132109.jpg
20180916_144626.jpg
20180916_144633.jpg
20180916_144642.jpg
 
You did good. The lower control arms are worth $100 for the pair, at least. I talked to a guy the other day who wanted $200 firm for a late V8 k-member. I would have considered $75.
 
I've got a good rust free and damage free k member here in Oklahoma City if you ever come up this way @HellCuda. Came from a 318 1971 dart. But it appears to have a slant 6 mounts on it also! It's wierd and I already had slant to v8 brackets so I reused my original K member. This one is in the shed collecting spider webs.
 
I'm with Jim. It's pretty much impossible for us to tell you from pictures if the K member is bent or not unless it's a pretzel. It definitely has enough damage that it could be bent, but you'll have to measure it.

As for the prices, buying off the internet they'll be really high for that stuff and shipping will be dumb. But in person or at a swap meet, they generally go for a lot less. They're heavy, most people don't want to haul that junk all over the place. There's always an exception of course. :rolleyes:
 
Looks "folded" like whatever it is/was in was hit hard on that corner. Might explain why the seam looks like it was welded/ground. Just my $0.02 inexperienced opinion.

THIS RIGHT HERE ^^^^^^^ He's got it right on the money. Look at the red circled area. Likes like that "leg" got folded up.

K FRAME.jpg
 
The crack/rip is the odd part.

I think it may have took a hit by some object fro the front and ripped and bent that lip over.

I think the rip would be from an impact

But weird stuff happens. Don't make assumptions.
 
Last edited:
-
Back
Top