How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 839
Likes: 4
From: Melbourne, Australia
Car: 1988 IROC Camaro (RHD)
Engine: 350 ci L98 SBC
Transmission: T700
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt BW, Disk, Posi-traction
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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?
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?
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: jackson new jersey
Car: 1991 camaro vert
Engine: ls1 soon
Transmission: t56 soon
Axle/Gears: moser 12bolt 4.10 soon!
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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.
Last edited by FireChickengta; Mar 26, 2012 at 09:40 AM.
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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??
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 733
Likes: 1
From: jackson new jersey
Car: 1991 camaro vert
Engine: ls1 soon
Transmission: t56 soon
Axle/Gears: moser 12bolt 4.10 soon!
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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
Trending Topics
Supreme Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Columbus Ohio
Car: 91 Z28,64ImpalaSS4094spd,67 Galaxy
Engine: Dart 415Profiler hd,cmprlrs,Hlly750
Transmission: Built 700R4, 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 3:89 Moser 9"
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
If the Kmember bent probably the whole body is bent, take it to a frame shop and have them check it out....
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
It was PRETTY bad. Yea idk do you think the tire wear and alignment would be ruined after all that work??
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 839
Likes: 4
From: Melbourne, Australia
Car: 1988 IROC Camaro (RHD)
Engine: 350 ci L98 SBC
Transmission: T700
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt BW, Disk, Posi-traction
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 839
Likes: 4
From: Melbourne, Australia
Car: 1988 IROC Camaro (RHD)
Engine: 350 ci L98 SBC
Transmission: T700
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt BW, Disk, Posi-traction
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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.
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.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Car: 1988 camaro
Engine: 2.8
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Siloam Springs Arkansas
Car: 1988 trans am gta
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 4.10
Re: How do you replace a k member in a 88 firebird?
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!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1992 Trans Am
History / Originality
27
May 10, 2023 07:19 PM
Linson
Auto Detailing and Appearance
40
Aug 21, 2015 02:12 PM
NBrehm
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
0
Aug 5, 2015 07:57 PM





