PA racing tubular K-Member. not happy with PA racing.. - Aftermarket Product Review - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

87_TA · 07-13-2005, 02:29 PM

Well couple of months ago bought the Tubular K-Member from PA.
It states in their add that it removes 75 lbs alone! from the nose of car. 85lbs w/Arms and 150 w/ coil overs,spindles,brakes.
And works with stock A-Arms!!!...
After removing mine I quickly realized these things are not as heavy as they look!! as a matter of fact they onlt weigh about 45 lbs!!! WTF - how am I losing 75 lbs when the stock only weighs 45? So after weighing new piece I see that it weighs about 25- so I lost about 20 lbs - not to close to 75!!!!!!!!! Not much loss for $600..
So I call very angry and the manager tells me that "Anyone who knows anything about these cars would know they dont weigh that much" Hmm, not sure about any of you, but I don't make it a habbit of removing K-Members...
Wait it gets worse, Once installed I see there is no way my stock A-Arm will fit, call the tech he tells me to cut lip on a-arm and it will fit. (But must be installed at a 90 degree angle.. So I cut the shtt out of themand no go - not even close. Being that headers were in way of allowing a 90 degree aproach I then removed K-Member again. Piece is now laying on floor scratched to heck from in and out and trying to force a-arm because tech and add says works with stock A-Arms!!!...
Anyway talk with manager again, he tells me they have been revised this year due to problems with rack mounting and will not work with stock arms any longers... WTF man!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So guess what, I had no choice but to buy arms... After many arguement with manager,, he would not next day air arms so I could make it to track and pick up cost. Would not give any money off arms!!! AND SAYS HE IS NOT IN CONTROL OF THE WEBSITE!!!! AND SORRY IT IS SO MISLEADING!!

After much arguing he agrees to give me chromoly arms for mild steel price and I would pay fer next day air... I am PO'ed but what am I going to do... Then next day comes - guess what, no F-ing arms!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Call them, ohh! Tech forgot to send the order -still would not pick up shipping - I have now missed first day at track and car is stuck on jacks. And I paid alot of money "a whole lot for nothing"
Call again very upset! he says, if you do not like it send it back!!!

Its not over yet, I also purchased coil overs that work with any stock or stock replacement..... well it will after you gring the 1/8 lip off top of Comp engineering struts whick is not very safe - no mention of that and they do not know anything about.. Guess what lakewood struts are the same and they strongly advise you do not grind on the tops as I had to.

Over all satisfaction - do I need to say it! or can I without swearing...

Look at the site, still the same!!!!
Under K-Member specifications for 82-92.
http://paracing.com/product_info.php...7b88ed59cb493c

Dizturbed One · 07-13-2005, 08:03 PM

from what i'm reading about these guys all over they are total garbage

they don't value making a quality part and they don't seem to value thier customers very much either

they should have done something to make it right after you spent 600 bucks on their crappy member... forcing you to spend even more on thier crappy arms

the LEAST he could have done is overnight you some damn arms since not only are you buying arms because of thier misleading site, you are buying them from THEM... making them MORE money!

that is outright BULLSH!T

WHO CARES if he isn't in charge of the site? that is the most assinine thing i have ever heard. they are a COMPANY

not a collective of individuals all splitting the cost evenly... it's a damn company, one unit all working together for a common cause...

at least i know to never buy a PA part.

hopefully Spohn or BMR will come out with a K-member before i need one on my car. i already know Spohn is getting my money for A-arms

mrt89rs · 07-14-2005, 02:45 AM

haha. This is nice to know. I was looking into buy an aftermarket k-member for my car in hopes to lose lots of weight. I don't think that I will be spending in money on that anymore.

soulbounder · 07-14-2005, 08:24 AM

Sorry for your experience. Unfortunately this is a pretty common experience. Check out the chassis board and read the really long thread.

87_TA · 07-14-2005, 03:51 PM

Thanks for support guys,
Disturbed one - Its nice to see you feel exactly as I do about this.

BMR does make one and Spohns may be out already.

Rage13 · 07-14-2005, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 87_TA
and Spohns may be out already.

not yet... but still waiting for it

KagA152 · 07-14-2005, 08:32 PM

thats why i went with pro fab, the brains and customer service behind the product (pro fab and pa are same design, the 2 owners used to be partners, then split up) i paid $455.55 shipped for k member and a-arms through the group purchase which wasnt really a group purchase. couldnt be happier

TexasB4C · 07-21-2005, 05:31 PM

you know pro fabs website? or catalog
im looking into k members and was looking at PA since they are cheaper but now that i hear this, no thanks
any other suggestions, ive seen the one in JEGS but its almost 500 for the kmember

blown3rdgen · 07-21-2005, 09:14 PM

I just tried to deal with profab. I wanted to give them my money, but they were bone heads too!

Matt

Rage13 · 07-21-2005, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blown3rdgen
I just tried to deal with profab. I wanted to give them my money, but they were bone heads too!

Matt

what happend with them?

blown3rdgen · 07-22-2005, 06:43 PM

So far I have sent them 3 emails wanting to buy a part- no reply. I have also tried calling numerous times, but get only voice mail. Needless to say- no returned calls. I also tried the link for profab south. They would not take my order and could not tell me who could or if they even carried what I wanted to buy anymore. Heck, I even gave them a part # off there own website. Anyways, I then called profab east- I don't know why- according to them they are in the process of selling out and could not help me.

If they are not going out of business of their own will- they soon will just based on their customer service and salesmanship.

Matt

age · 07-23-2005, 10:25 PM

I would sue PA racing.

BT283 · 07-31-2005, 01:13 PM

Who can we buy a K-member and a-arms from now that PA sucks?? I was going to purchase one from PA too, but now i still need one but not going to PA racing for one!!

ckjoshz28 · 07-31-2005, 07:34 PM

help me Steveoni-won Spohnoni, your our only hope...

Rob Wade · 08-01-2005, 04:32 PM

Hey guys. Isn't there any other place in your front end you can knock 20 pounds out of it? That is a lot of money to save 20lbs! I'm sure there are better ways to spend that money that would gain you better results.

BT283 · 08-01-2005, 05:15 PM

But the k-member also allows for more header cleareance

Kandied91z · 08-05-2005, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rob Wade
Hey guys. Isn't there any other place in your front end you can knock 20 pounds out of it? That is a lot of money to save 20lbs! I'm sure there are better ways to spend that money that would gain you better results.

my pa racing chromoly tubular setup has worked great for over 3 years now thankfully, i replaced it though for the clearance and coilover conversion. no other reason.

onebinky · 08-08-2005, 12:08 AM

Contact the BBB in your state and let them know what is going on. Also write a letter to your state's attourney, and if it comes down to it hire a lawyer of your own and sue for lost $$$, time, and court costs/lawyer fees. I just checked the website and it is still listed just as you described.

-----------------------------------------

STRONGER, and LIGHTER than stock! (loose over 75lbs)

Using our tubular K-member and upper/lower a-arm & coil over kit, expect a weight reduction of up to 85 lbs. Combine this with a Santhuff or Afco spring/shock combo and a lightweight Pa Racing rack & pinion kit and front brake setup and lose over 150 lbs. off the front end!

Works with stock a-arms or any aftermarket a-arms (minor modifacations required)

----------------------------------------

From what you've stated, all these comments are false.

Definately take action though, getting burned for $600+ and having a potentially dangerous car isn't something I'd be happy about either.

onebinky · 08-08-2005, 12:13 AM

And while I am not planning on doing it tomorrow, I am planning on doing my suspension mods as my next phase this fall. I have been shopping around on it, and I know one company I am going to avoid now. Dishonesty and poor customer service are not attributes I look for in a good buisness relationship.

Kandied91z · 08-08-2005, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by onebinky
Contact the BBB in your state and let them know what is going on. Also write a letter to your state's attourney, and if it comes down to it hire a lawyer of your own and sue for lost $$$, time, and court costs/lawyer fees. I just checked the website and it is still listed just as you described.

-----------------------------------------

STRONGER, and LIGHTER than stock! (loose over 75lbs)

Using our tubular K-member and upper/lower a-arm & coil over kit, expect a weight reduction of up to 85 lbs. Combine this with a Santhuff or Afco spring/shock combo and a lightweight Pa Racing rack & pinion kit and front brake setup and lose over 150 lbs. off the front end!

Works with stock a-arms or any aftermarket a-arms (minor modifacations required)

----------------------------------------

From what you've stated, all these comments are false.

Definately take action though, getting burned for $600+ and having a potentially dangerous car isn't something I'd be happy about either.

for what it matters IF you are out of state the chances of you actually making any profit or breaking even are slim after court fees alone, but especially with having to serve them. main reason i hate mail order and any out of state purchases..

slimdawson · 08-09-2005, 11:29 PM

This sounds exactly like what I would have written a couple years ago. I bought it mainly for a rack and pinion conversion with the weight savings coming in second.

Disappointed with less than 20 lbs weight loss, and I had the same conversation on the phone about the a arms. They said I would have to buy their tubulars. Or if I didn't like it, send it back. I ended up modifying my a arms to work. Major pita. The welds looked crappy too on the piece. Not worth the money.

Kandied91z · 08-10-2005, 03:41 AM

i count my lucky stars then as my welds were perfect. penny welded, i asked for mine bare though and painted it myself. i bought my set with the a arms though.

TunedPort 335 · 08-10-2005, 10:37 AM

My friend just ordered a PA Racing K member for the stock strut/spring setup. They sent him the one for a coil over suspension.

Now he has to wait 3 weeks for another company to build him one, cause he is sick of PA's bull****.

That place is rediculous ive heard so many bad stories about them. I would never let any of their products anywhere near my car

Kandied91z · 08-11-2005, 01:19 AM

that can certainly happne... look what happened to tpis. as i said all of those i've seen or had have been great, but i haven't bought anything from them in over 2 years.

onebinky · 08-11-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

that can certainly happne... look what happened to tpis

Other than high pricing, what happened with them?

Kandied91z · 08-12-2005, 01:57 AM

poor quality products, bad customer service and high pricing.

Rob Wade · 08-12-2005, 04:20 PM

I've never actually dealt with them but I have they're catalogue. Has anyone had bad experiences with them? I already think they're a bit high on pricing but they have some good products (i believe) Other people's experiences (good/bad or otherwise) could make my choices easier when its time to do my motor. I don't know who posted this but I didn't!!!!! How did this happen????? I don't even own an F-body, why would I want their catalogue or buy a cross member for one. Look at my signal!!!!!

B4Ctom1 · 11-13-2005, 09:36 AM

The weight I removed when switching to the PA K-member:

Stock k-member, a-arms, springs, and motor mounts = 113 lbs

PA racing K-member, A-arms, coil overs, Moroso motor mounts = 44 lbs

total loss from just those components = 69 lbs

so I agree, and no it isn't correct, but its not as far off as you are saying.

For referrence, here is an interesting list of weights I have done with my digital scale. It isnt a 325 lb bathrom scale. It is a 150 pound $400 scale used for selling nitrous. I update it once in a while when I make some progress.

http://www.outlawperformance.com/ima...ss/weights.JPG

PS: anyone have pics or link to the thread with the front coil over problems on our cars?