FireChickengta

My car was in an accident in the f/r wheel and whatever it is that's holding my control arm is bent. Should i replace the sub frame or the k member?? Is it worth doing all that? Couldn't find any posts that described how to drop either so i was wondering if anyone knew how to do it step by step? Thanks

peterc005

Put the car up on jacks.

Suspend the engine.

Undo the engine mounts.

Undo the six (?) cross-member bolts.

Undo the steering pitman arm and sway bar connectors.

The whole cross member should then come away.

Possibly just the right hand A-arm is bent?

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

highly dont think its the k member if u got hit hard enough to bend that the car would be toast.. its probably just the a arm.... better hope u didnt bend the strut tower.. good luck.. and above is the correct way to remove the k member

FireChickengta

I have replaced the control arm, spindle, shocks, and tie rods; my wheel is still pushed back. When i turn the wheel all the way to the right the wheel wants to tuck under the car because it goes back so far.

FireChickengta

I measured both front wheels from the dust cap to the fender and its still half a foot off

FireChickengta

Is there anyway I can measure or look at something to find out if it's the tower? My dash is cracked from the hit...good possibility??

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

damn how bad did u get hit.. i would say the frame is bent.. like the actually front forks of the car.. replacing the k frame wont really help that.. it needs to go on a frame machine or the junk yard

J91

If the Kmember bent probably the whole body is bent, take it to a frame shop and have them check it out....

FireChickengta

It was PRETTY bad. Yea idk do you think the tire wear and alignment would be ruined after all that work??

peterc005

I have a copy of the factory workshop manual, which lists all of the measurements to check that the body is square.

Someone else here also gave me the attached shots, which are very useful.

Get someone with a set of tram guides to measure the body, using these specifications.

Remember, the damage is likely to be at the weakest point, which is probably the lower control arms.

Coincidently, I'm restoring a Camaro with very similar damage to the right front, and the right wheel is also badly bent out.

peterc005

Thinking about it ...

There are four bolts on the K-Member for the lower control arms - left and right, front and back.

I assume that the bolts are parallel, left to right, front to back. That is, a square or rectangle measured head bolt to head bolt.

You could measure the distance between the front LCA bolt heads and compare it with the rear bolt heads.

If the K-member is damaged as you think the front distance will be greater than the rear.

Could also measure the distance diagonally for an extra check.

georgeparsons

If its anything like this the frame is toast and needs to have a complete tube frame or another doner car for your parts ! look here and see on my FB page

georgeparsons

I have one thats hit in the front also

sheachopper

i feel your pain, my passenger side tire is jammed into the fender well. The lower control arm hinges are bent inwards causeing the tire o be pressed. How did you get yours fixed and what exactly was the damage? I want to know how you got yours fixed!