Hi everybody.

I had an accident and some repairs done afterwards. But there are still some problems. I did a few measurements.

The right front wheel is around 1.2 cm to the front than where it's supposed to be now. (Left side wheel base measures 101'' = 2565 mm, right side measures 2577 mm) From another measurement, left side is exactly at the center of the fender, whereas right side is around 1.2 cm offset to the front. The only way that is possible I think is that the rear mount of the right A-arm is ~1 cm deflected towards the outer side of the frame. This difference is even very easily noticable with the eye when the steering wheel is at the center.

Attached picture shows the measurement I need, from bolt center to bolt center please.

I'm just trying to confirm what kind of repair to have made. Or maybe I could just buy a pair of adjustable A-Arms and be done with it? But this would probably affect the steering geometry during up-down movement of the arms.

Can

 

Third gen's are not 100% symmetrical. The only way to know what might be out of whack is to have the car put on a frame rack.

I think if you took 5 different third gens and did the exact same measurements, you'll get 5 different results.

 

I think I typed the wrong title for this thread. What I'm asking is actually a k-member measurement. Between the centers of rear A-arm bolt holes. Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought the k-members are all identical, and the measurement I'm asking is from the k-member only, not the frame. The A-arms are 100% symmetrical and identical for everybody, as far as I know. So should the k-members be if that's the case, no?

 

If it turns out to be a bent K-member I would replace that before I go adjustable A arm. Because of the before mentioned change in angle with the suspension travel.

 

u can actually adjust the kemeber alil... i had a simular problem... i was on new pavement and the oils where still rising to the surface. i slid into a curb at like 15-20mph and hopped it. i bend my spindal, wrecked my GTA rim, and moved the kmemeber. there are like 4 huge bolts that hold the kmember to the front subframe. i knew it was off bc the passenger rim/tire would now rub on the plastic insert/wheel well cover/back of the passenger fender. i was able to losen the bolts and pry the kemember slightly and then tighten the bolts again. its still not a 100% but its alil better. and i havent really had any issues yet, done 2 alignments and they said i was fine.

 

The guys that I talked to also said I'll be fine the way it is. It is not touching the fender inner cover at any position, but visually it is disturbing. I'm planning to do much more to this car so I feel I must not leave it as it is... If I relocate the right bolts like you said, then I fear the motor itself will offset too much and also the driver's side will also be affected. I believe the only proper way is bending into shape.

I did some research before, and decided on the BMR007 unit if I would go for one in the end. Unfortunately, the unit does not accept factory A-arms because of interference at the mounts, so I'd have to purchase also aftermarket A-arms, AA008R. And the coil spring upper perches (I want to keep the factory setup). That makes $500 + $550 + $90 = $1140. The cheapest way to ship this big a cargo to Romania is FedEx economy, which would be about $600 more. And there is 21.5% customs, and in total it makes about $2100. That's a huge sum, I could get a set of assembled heads and cam combo with timing chain for that price, but on the other hand this still keeps bugging me. I want to try to resolve this by repairing first, instead of replacing. If unsuccesful, then I'll consider visiting Summit... Junkyards or used parts for this car are not an option for where I live, there are none. For the repairs, I'd really need a measurement to be sure.

 

check with http://www.spohn.net/ they make an aftermarket K-member. They will probably be able to give you a more accurate distance than someone with a tape measure under the car.

I'll have my car up on stands next week I will try to remember to measure, hopefully someone will get it to you before then.

thirdgenranch or hawlks would probably ship you a used stock K-member. With it being used you may be able to avoid import dutys. Especially if you can get it under $50.

So how many 3ed gens are Romania that must be a rare car there, is it right or left steering, I wonder if that changes the K-member measurment?

 

I remember spohn.. I asked for a rough shipping quote for a full front set from them once, after which they became unresponsive Maybe I'll check them out again.

Unfortunately, the customs applies to price + the shipping charges. The factory k-member is around 30 kg right? The shipping cost will be roughly the same. After spending 900 bucks, I wouldn't want to have the bulky factory k-member, which may or may not have seen an accident in the past.

The car is left steering normally. I didn't know there were any thirdgens produced as right steering. The car is rare here. Other than 7 or 8 different ad's, I haven't seen one other than mine. I went around a lot, not seen one on the road ever, for 2 years. And all of the ad's were for TBI or V6 or L4's except for one '88 5.0 TPI, hasn't showed up again after remaining in ad's for 5 months or so. And strangely, the same cars show up on the ads in worse and worse condition with less and less value every time lol.

I don't think that would effect the measurement because I believe the a-arm mounts have be symmetrical anyway, for symmetrical suspension travel, otherwise the cars couldn't behave normally under hard acceleration, hard braking or going on bumpy roads, right?

 

Anybody?

 

I haven't had a chance to get the front in the air as I am working on the rear suspension at the moment.

 

Ok its hard to measure that distance with the oil pan in the way. I hung my tape measure off the bolt and marked a board laying on the ground under the car on both sides. The distance was around 27.5 inches however I don't think I would take my measurment as fact for all thirdgens as I think I may have some slight frame worpage, but the car has never been wrecked.

I thought it was odd that is also the measurment from the ground to the fender lip.

 

Thanks man! Much appreciated.