I need to replace the crossmember (K member). Everything I've read says to remove the engine or at least lift it.

I crawled under the other day and had a look around. It seems that if I have the wheels off and the body up on 4 jack stands and support the engine with a jack and a plank under the oil pan that I could then unbolt and replace the crossmember.

Am I missing something? If the suspension will want to bow out when the member is removed could I perhaps bar clamp it or install a temp brace using a couple of the crossmember holes?

Thanks

 

If you jacked on the oil pan and pulled the member the engine would be resting on the pan and the trans mount. I would think you would crush the pan. The member, cross that is, could probably be pulled by hanging the front of the engine on a engine hoist, and pulling the mounts. The suspension pieces probably weigh to much to just hang from the strut mount so you will either have to support them or pull them.

S & W race cars offer a mild steel tube K-member that weighs 18 pounds for somewhere around $400.00. Just a thought. Good Luck.

 

The oil pan is already trashed (same time as crossmember. What i hoped to do was remove the crossmember, maybe by putting a small connector piece in temporarily, to hold the 2 sides together. Replace the oil pan and then put in th replacement crossmember.

I don't have a hoist. Just jackstands and ramps.

 

I'd say beg, borrow, rent or steal a hoist it will end alot of headaches!

 

You can rent a hoist for about 20 dollars a day from most u-haul stores, as well as other rental stores