LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
08-28-2011, 08:59 AM
#1
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 3,160
Received 54 Likes
on
40 Posts
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60e
LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
Got my GTA back on its wheels yesterday for the first time in over a year. Swapped the stock K-Member for a Spohn unit with their A-arms as well. Additionally used their frontend steering rebuild kit. So basically everything under there is Spohn and new. The car is now lowered as well.
I'd read before about people having wheel centering issues in the wells with these K-Members, but don't remember (and can't find via search) what the remedy was. I know the car needs an allignment, but it doesn't make sense to me that an allignment would fix the wheel being off-center in the wells.
I'll attach a couple pics for reference. The wheel was definitely getting bound against the wheel well as we manually turned it to get it moved in the driveway.
And a parting shot. Despite not being able to drive the car for the better part of 3 years, I still think it looks nice.
I'd read before about people having wheel centering issues in the wells with these K-Members, but don't remember (and can't find via search) what the remedy was. I know the car needs an allignment, but it doesn't make sense to me that an allignment would fix the wheel being off-center in the wells.
I'll attach a couple pics for reference. The wheel was definitely getting bound against the wheel well as we manually turned it to get it moved in the driveway.
And a parting shot. Despite not being able to drive the car for the better part of 3 years, I still think it looks nice.
08-28-2011, 09:23 AM
#2
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 3,160
Received 54 Likes
on
40 Posts
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60e
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...now-tires.html isn't very promising. I'm hoping for some kind of solution you guys have used that doesn't involve ripping the K-Member/A-Arms out and replacing them with a different manufacturer's version.
08-28-2011, 09:58 AM
#3
Supreme Member
iTrader: (30)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: O'Fallon, MO
Posts: 6,258
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 convertible built 3/1/1990
Engine: Cammed 6.0L LSX
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: custom Ford 8.8", 4.10 gears
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
Mine are centered in the wheel wells but I'm using factory a-arms.
Are your a-arms adjustable? Maybe it's an issue with their non-adjustable ones?
Are your a-arms adjustable? Maybe it's an issue with their non-adjustable ones?
08-28-2011, 09:59 AM
#4
Supreme Member
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Macedonia ,OH
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Car: Formula
Engine: 6.0 LSX
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt 3:27
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
I had same issues. Sold them and went with UMI's and now they are centered. Its the A arms. There is no fix without changing the arms.
08-28-2011, 10:26 AM
#5
Supreme Member
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 7,892
Likes: 0
Received 67 Likes
on
49 Posts
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: Supercharged 6.0
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 3.73
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
Ive got the K-member with stock A-arms, and while Im not a big fan of the design, I dont have wheel off-center issues
08-28-2011, 01:57 PM
#6
Supreme Member
iTrader: (30)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: O'Fallon, MO
Posts: 6,258
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 convertible built 3/1/1990
Engine: Cammed 6.0L LSX
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: custom Ford 8.8", 4.10 gears
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
Will anyone else's arms work with the Spohn k member?
08-28-2011, 02:01 PM
#7
Trending Topics
08-28-2011, 03:14 PM
#8
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 3,160
Received 54 Likes
on
40 Posts
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60e
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
That's better than changing the k-member I guess... although it's halfway there. I'm seriously thinking about getting the Racecraft a-arms.
What I don't want to get myself into is a situation where it's going to take a thorough understanding of suspension geometry (and several hundred $ more in different parts...from Spohn) to get it driveable. I must be lazy, I know... thanks you guys for the help on this one.
What I don't want to get myself into is a situation where it's going to take a thorough understanding of suspension geometry (and several hundred $ more in different parts...from Spohn) to get it driveable. I must be lazy, I know... thanks you guys for the help on this one.
08-28-2011, 03:17 PM
#9
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 3,160
Received 54 Likes
on
40 Posts
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60e
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
They're not adjustable. To tell the truth, the idea of having them adjustable may be appealing for the hardcore track guys who like to tune their setups - but is overkill for somebody like me who just wants it to turn like stock. I'd hate to have to find somebody around here trustworthy that could get everything adjusted where it needs to be...
08-28-2011, 04:52 PM
#11
Supreme Member
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 7,892
Likes: 0
Received 67 Likes
on
49 Posts
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: Supercharged 6.0
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 3.73
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
If he had them on reversed, they would be several inches off center instead of the 3/4-1" he has now
08-28-2011, 05:03 PM
#12
Supreme Member
iTrader: (30)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: O'Fallon, MO
Posts: 6,258
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Car: 1991 Z28 convertible built 3/1/1990
Engine: Cammed 6.0L LSX
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: custom Ford 8.8", 4.10 gears
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
I honestly can't even tell in the pictures that they're not centered.
08-28-2011, 05:27 PM
#13
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 3,160
Received 54 Likes
on
40 Posts
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60e
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
Each side is off center toward the cabin. One wheel is a little worse than the other.
08-28-2011, 07:24 PM
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
I've noticed that with stock Ks and arms, the more you lower it, the farther back the wheels look.
So, as an experiment, try putting a small jack under the center of the K, and raising it an inch, then see if either side looks centered.
This is free, and only takes 5 minutes, so why not?
So, as an experiment, try putting a small jack under the center of the K, and raising it an inch, then see if either side looks centered.
This is free, and only takes 5 minutes, so why not?
08-28-2011, 08:21 PM
#15
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
I've noticed that with stock Ks and arms, the more you lower it, the farther back the wheels look.
So, as an experiment, try putting a small jack under the center of the K, and raising it an inch, then see if either side looks centered.
This is free, and only takes 5 minutes, so why not?
So, as an experiment, try putting a small jack under the center of the K, and raising it an inch, then see if either side looks centered.
This is free, and only takes 5 minutes, so why not?
so are you thinking caster is messed up?
09-05-2011, 06:22 PM
#16
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: franklinville
Posts: 17
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1988 pontiac trans am GTA
Engine: ls1
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: 4:10 moser 12 bolt
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
did you figure out how you are going to fix it?
09-05-2011, 08:40 PM
#17
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
You could move the wheel well opening (section it) in order to have it centered (and gfx). It still would not change the fact that they have been moved from stock location. However, it is a solution, just not really feasable and probably not the one you were looking for.
09-06-2011, 08:51 PM
#18
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Conroe, TX
Posts: 3,160
Received 54 Likes
on
40 Posts
Car: 1987 GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4L60e
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
LOL. I don't think I'll be moving the wheel well opening. Thanks for the suggestion though.
I've got a set of UMI's newly redesigned A-Arms on order. Hopefully I'll have time to work on them this year
I'll report back how well it goes.
I've got a set of UMI's newly redesigned A-Arms on order. Hopefully I'll have time to work on them this year
I'll report back how well it goes.
09-07-2011, 06:50 PM
#19
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: franklinville
Posts: 17
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1988 pontiac trans am GTA
Engine: ls1
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: 4:10 moser 12 bolt
Re: LS1 Spohn K-Member: What's the fix for wheels not centered in the wells?
i have the same problem also, ordered some umi a-arms hopefully it fixesit
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
colton_carlson
Firebirds for Sale
7
03-08-2019 12:21 PM
maroe624
Transmissions and Drivetrain
4
04-16-2017 08:29 AM
