How To Square a K Member and Why It's Important
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 พ.ค. 2017
- This video starts by answering what K Member is. For those of you who may not know, the K member is the support for the engine and front suspension on some vehicles.
This video shows how to 'square' the K member in your vehicle. I demonstrate this on a Ford fox body, but this procedure is pretty much universal for all vehicles. In fact, you could use this to check how square your vehicle is with the procedures shown in this video.
Here are the instructions for installing and squaring a K member from Maximum Motorsports: www.maximummotorsports.com/ass...
My K member: www.maximummotorsports.com/MM-...
My K member spacers: www.maximummotorsports.com/K-M...
Maximum Motorsports: www.maximummotorsports.com/Def...
Special thanks to Jack Hindley and Kolton Sinclaire for all their help.
Previous video in the #FairmontProject series: • Ford Fox Body Rear Sta...
The #FairmontProject playlist: • ETCG Gets a New Car! -...
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: www.ericthecarguy.com
Check out the ETCG Blog for the latest info: www.ericthecarguy.com/blog
Camera: Brian Kast
Thanks for watching!
Discussion about this video: www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/...
Tools
Plumb bob: www.amazon.com/Stanley-47-973...
Trusty Cook Hammers: trustycook.com
Torque wrench: www.rakuten.com/prod/282405511...
Related Videos
How To Install a K Member: • How To Install a Fox B...
Rear Control Arm Installation: • Maximum Motorsports Re...
How To Install a Maximum Motorsports Torque Arm For Better Traction!: • How To Install a Maxim...
How To Install a Panhard Bar: • Take Corners Faster! H...
Rear Stabilizer Bar Installation Ford Fox Body: • Ford Fox Body Rear Sta...
Installing the New Differential #FairmontProject: • Installing the New Dif...
Parking Brake Cable Modification #FairmontProject: • How To Fabricate Parki...
Removing the old engine from the Mustang: • 1982 Mustang Donor Car...
**Answers to your automotive questions found here: www.ericthecarguy.com/faq
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ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
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Circumstances were that I never had a place, the time, the tools or the know-how to do my own repairs. Plus, I have a disability - I was a liberal arts major and I'm Irish. So, I'm just not a details kind of guy. This video - I'm impressed; down to the 16th's. I was worn-out by the time you said you'd have to recheck the measurements. I was ready for a nap! But, you've given me the courage to go out and bleed the brakes on my '97 Dodge Ram 1500.Thanks for the inspiration.Kindest regards,Paul
I don't think comments get any better than this. Thank you very much.
I like the way you changed to incorporate useful information like your old style videos, but also working on the Fairmont. great work Eric keep it up!
busuttilj1 Yes! Love useful information in videos
Very interesting indeed!
I share the same sentiments as many of you guys do. Eric has given me the ability to do things for myself, my family's vehicles and even as a side weekend job to help support myself financially. The biggest step Eric has pushed me to make was the HVAC repairing. I have successfully completed MANY jobs with my own equipment I bought just from watching his videos. KEEP IT UP @EricTheCarGuy !! .. All the way from TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
One thing to note for anyone who is going to do this on their own vehicle on jack stands.... Make sure you don't have the stands anywhere on the front control arms or K frame like most people normally put them. They must be somewhere on the frame rails or uni body that is not going to interfere with moving the K frame
Hey Eric, I love how you're incorporating the style of your informative and repair videos into the Fairmont project. I'll admit that I have been skipping watching some of the build, but recently I've become really interested in seeing every detail with the new format. Cheers!
Great job in squaring in your K member. I'm a carpenter, and have to square up a lot of things in my business to insure of things being straight so that the next parts being installed are easier to install there after. Keep up the good work and thoroughly enjoy all your hard work in showing your videos. Thanks, Dave from Maplewood, MN
really cool stuff, Eric! Nobody ever talks about doing the tedious things like this, they just show a video of them chucking a k-member under the car and bolting it up with an impact. I like your attention to and representation of the importance of the detailed things you're doing on this car.
I will be doing a full Maximum Motorsports suspension install on my 98 Cobra soon so these videos are extremely useful. Thanks for posting these installs in such extreme detail.
Loving the new faster yet still very informative format of the videos. Was getting a little burnt out on 45 min. Fairmont videos. Actually watched this whole vid. Loving it again Eric.
@EricTheCarGuy
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have heard a LOT of folks talking about swapping a K-member, but no one ever mentions the measurement process. In all the other conversations and videos, one would assume that the old K-member is unbolted and removed, and the new K-member is bolted in and the process is complete.
I knew this process was not that simple, but had no idea how to take the measurements. It is 10:27 AM in Nampa, ID, (my home), and I learned something new. Time for another cup of coffee.
I just finished installing a Maximum Motorsports K Member into my Foxbody Mustang. Thank you for this video, it gave me the confidence to do it myself.
Love the vid! I was worried that you were going to do another voice over, but this one was perfect having both "real time" work and a few cut ins giving tips. Keep it up!
Hey Eric. I been binge watching your fairmont videos for the past two weeks, among some of your other videos, and they're AWESOME. Mostly because I myself have a 4 cylinder 1982 notchback mustang project that I inherited from my uncle, I've got a 351w bored 60 over (currently sitting on a engine stand) that has a ton of work done to it, although it's been sitting for a long time... a TKO 600, K frame, Driveshaft, ford 9 inch and some other parts that ALL need to go in it. While I don't quite have the space to do any of the work right now, your videos are helping so much, showing me I'm going to need a LOT more suspension parts hahaha and giving me a lot of confidence in attempting this build instead of just trying to pay someone else to do this. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention there's a B&M 144cfm blower that's going to be mounted on the 351w, supposedly going to have in the neighborhood of 480 hp and 510 ftlbs. This series has gotten my so exited for my build, and I can't wait to see your end product! Thank you
Nice video, Eric. That's a great way to square up a k-frame at home. I've had to do a lot of k-frame/engine cradle replacements while working in my company's bodyshop. Fortunately, there is a little bit of room to move the frame/cradle around while doing an alignment. I see why Max Motorsport recommended that point in the rear, as that point is usually square to the body. I've had to explain countless times why the rear end alignment is so critical to the front end alignment. A lot of people don't realize that the rear end alignment affects the front end alignment. Keep up the good work!
Good idea with marking the K member with the drill bit Eric. I don't plan on building a project car anytime soon, but I still find these videos really interesting and informative :) Thanks for sharing.
Hey Camera-man Brian! Thanks for your contribution to Eric's videos! I have a coworker named Bryan at my job, and I always joke with him that "every good technician needs a Bryan!"
I've been wondering about how to do this in an easy way for a while.
Thanks Eric!
Thank you Eric! This was very helpful and I know feel more confident when I go to change my K member on my cobra
The challenge was interesting. The solve was worth the time. The tips were 'Golden'. Thanks
I like the detail you give in all your videos Thank you
Another well done video. Don't know if you mentioned it but the rockers should be pretty much parallel to the floor. Maximum Motorsports is the best stuff out there and their customer service is second to none.
G'day Eric it's like a work of art! Very exacting work to align the k member interesting how you went about it, explained well thanks Eric regards John
Awesome video as usual Eric! Keep it up 🤙🏽
Great vid! very useful information in here!
liking the new style now, wasn't so sure about it to begin with!
keep it up dude!
Hey Eric, all this "K" member talk is great! For some reason it sounds familiar. Thanks, Kevin Kenneth Kline!!
This is the best and most informative video I’ve seen.
Very cool vid and helpful. Thank you. Note to add, without a flat lift, with jacks you may need to make sure your surface to frame is parallel or measurements may get skewed.
Seems like really good Info to know. Would've never thought of this.
Good watch! It always neat to see how similar the the strategies across all car makes for basically doing the same thing. I have done a good amount of suspension work, only some rear end 4 link setups on a late model mustang, most of the other stuff has been mostly Honda and just recently Porsche. What I have found getting the measurements as close to dead on helps so much in the end, this comes to alignments too. It drives me nuts seeing alignment shops put the measurements in range the thing pulls like hell or just has less than confident feel. I know there is a lot of theory with OEMs alighting their cars to certain types of roads, conditions the list goes on. For me I feel having everything equal, camber same on both the front along with caster and toe and the same for the rear but obviously differing amounts gives a more consistent feel to the car and less it taking you for a ride and having to counter steer. Having the front off from the rear I have noticed will tend to cause the front to push under acceleration or under hard braking. You can measure that the k member will be off from the alignment if it follows suit might be something like you can get more camber out of one side on the front than the other. btw wish I would have thought about the dot on the tape then move it under :p Its a pita to mark under those plumb bobs.
i love your fairmont videos! keep it up!
Excellent information.
Good job explaining it , it help me a lot thanks keep up the good work !
Great video Eric. Lots of good info as usual
wow that looks like a serious pita, glad you got it done! great video!
Installing a complete UPR K Member kit on my 78 Zephyr Sport Coupe. Very usefull vid. Wondering if I should use the rear bumper bolts ( on frame) as a mesuring point ? I might also use the tubular lower holes like you did. I actually might use 2-3 mesuring points on each side just in case the body twisted over the last 41yrs !!
I love the turbo set up and the sleeper look, but damn the fairmont would look so nice with a massive blower sticking out the bonnet haha
TacticalBBQSauce imagine if he did a supercharger AND a turbo
The drill bit becomes a makeshift key. I like it...clever ..love ur vids
Thanks for the video EricTCG, great info.
When the mounting bolts are fairly tight, drill a couple of (one on each side) and drive Spirol pins (coiled preferably) in before torquing down those bolts; things wont move about. Great video as always.
Although I liked the original format, after seeing this new more condensed version, I can say the new format is great!
Hey Eric! I just wanted to say im a long time fan and have enjoyed your videos for a long time! I recently came up with a video(s) idea that i think could be mutually beneficial for everyone involved!
I am personally a huge fan of Regular car Reviews and the way he narrates his videos to make them entertaining and informational at the same time. So i was thinking, to maybe throw some change on the channel, maybe try a pilot episode of you and him collaborating creatively however works best for you and call it Regular car Repairs? :D i think the name is catchy and i think it could maybe spice up the average repair video!
All of this is just a suggestion and ill keep watching regardless of what you do. Much love to the best mechanic on youtube!
You and steady hand camera man Brian are working extremely hard on Peak - a - Chu. The end results should be Phenomenal. Slow and steady that's the way to do it !!.
Your fairmont product inspired me to redo a vehicle #97tbird. Keep up the great work.
All great tips. Much appreciated!
I work in a body shop. I would just use tram gauges. They are pretty cheap and accurate. Also very useful in a mechanic shop for cars with subframe damage.
Thanks for making this. I just finished. 89 and 72ft lbs took some doing. I'm within 1/32 all square!
great info and video!!! Thanks Eric!!
Great video Eric!!
Loved the Video! Thanks!
Great step by step video
So with this k member you have on your car, is it maximum motor sport? I’m looking for a adjustable one, since my one side of my car the wheels sticks out more the. The other and it has been in a accident, but only damage I seen on frame was right where the bumper supports go I don’t see any other damage or kinks, could just be the body off when they lined it all up but I want to see if I can maybe add a adjustable member and move it just the slightest bit to center it,
good job this helped me out keep up the good work
Cool video, thanks Eric
Very knowledgeable gentleman!
Good work I didn't hear a word you said for about a minute once I seen those overhead welds at 5:17 no worries it doesn't have to look good it just has to work.
Thank you this video help me out a lot
Great vid Eric! Can you please make longer vids please 😁.. I hate waiting all week for a short vid or throw in more tip vids during the week.. Please please please..
Awesome video Eric. I want a project CRX so bad 😭
@EricTheCarGuy I am sure you are ahead in the restoration from the video timeline and i have a question.
Do those plates for lowering the k-member alter camber?Because the mount of the lower control arm (theoretically) will be at a low(er) point pushing the ball joint "out",thus increasing negative camber.
I would like to know the result because i have thought about it for my application but haven't got to it yet.
Needed this info. Thanks.
Great information, thank you!
I saw you had a spacer between the k-member and chassis. How did you approximate the vertical position of the k-member? If its a swap kit for a specific car, no sweat, but custom..?
Man eric I've learnt a lot in this video
Great video, thanks
just a thought, would you have been able to use a longer bolt in the rear so the plumb bob could clear your reinforcement instead of going the route of hanging it from the control arm?
I like your Tie Fighter drawings Eric lol great video
great video
not too long, clear and concise, professional as always
I’m looking to buying this complete kit front and back my question is how hard if possible to install this with a floor jack in a garage with jack stands? On your back
Hey bro crossing fingers ill get a reply on a 3 year old video but its worth a shot. I'm going to be removing my oem k member to restore the finish and then reinstall the same oem k member ill this centering need to be done or is the oem a non adjustable unit and centering in your video is only something that needs to be performed with an aftermarket k member?
Eric, do you have a foxbody rear centering video?
The instruction for using the bolts in the rear for measurement is because you are actually taking info from the actual frame and not some after-market component to square the K member, plus those random holes you find sometimes in the body are not always in perfect correlation.
Lasers are always better for these sort of situations.
Other than that great video Eric.
Any more Fixing it Forward Videos coming? Those are the best!
Can you square a factory does k member? I don’t want a tubular, it’s not even safe as for accident and what not, and I don’t need no weight reduction, but I would like to know if Ford has any adjustability? Maximum motor sports says there is a bit
this video was bang on...
Eric, you wanted manual steering in the beginning - is there a reason why you switched to power steering now anyways? I'm driving first car ever that has power steering, and boy is it weird. Especially if you've been driving without since almost 20 years... ;) I am always afraid it might go kaputt when I tilt the steering fully or something like that.
After rethinking the front suspension I decided to go with power steering. It just seemed to make sense. I'm already putting AC on the car, might as well do PS too.
EricTheCarGuy well better to change your mind now than when the car is completely put together
Does this apply to factory K members also?
OK, I am having a problem with my car, on Petrol (Gasoline) it idles rough, the revs start low then raises up a little then dies down to normal.
When I switch over to LPG, t idles well for a few minutes but then it backfires when I push on the accelerator.
I have changed the spark plugs but that doesn't do anything at all.
The engine is a 2002 GM Ecotech V6 engine, not supercharged with after market LPG system installed.
When I drive the car, it is fine for a little bit but then it stalls without warning.
What do you think I should do?
good vid.
Finally!!! The Fairmont is back!!!!!
Haha! The safety glasses, don't get a plum bob in your eye mate, love your sense of humor haha
I have a unrelated question Im hoping for a solution. How do I fix uneven brake wear on rear drum brakes? I have found plenty of info on disc brakes but next to nothing on drum brakes. The outter shoes on both tires are worn but the inner ones look like theyre not even touching the drum.
Good video :D
If I had done all the work Eric has done with filming and building this car I could never drive it any where near its potential, for fear of destroying all that work.
Great video as usual, Eric! Keep them coming.
Great handy hints Eric, but transferring inches to mm definitely showed me the fine alignment you were dealing with: 1/16 inch = 1.588mm. Fantastic work, regards Stewart.
Every time he says something in imperial units, I have to convert it... I'm American, but I've only ever worked with European or Japanese vehicles, so I have no frame of reference for how large a 3/8ths socket is.
3/8 inch or 9.525 mm is exactly the drive size for many ratchets and sockets.
Haha, ok, so that was a particularly poor example, but say I need a 3/4ths or 11/16ths socket. I have to do Maths to figure out what size is bigger...
Was all intended to be humor.
For me converting in to mm and vice versa gets to be second nature after a while and the equivalent sizes are just known without even thinking.
No worries :) I would imagine so, but like I said, I've never worked on a car with imperial bolts/etc, so I'm just not familiar with it.
hi from Venezuela, I have my crv 2006 (110.000mi) but went i turn on the AC the engine start to vibrate but the rpm its fine (700-750) what could be the problem? (the engine mount are new)
Quick question would a 99-04 k member fit a 2009 Ford Taurus
hmmmm, I never got any notifications at all on my phone!! I just logged to YT, it showed you uploaded 7 hours ago. I totally missed this video. I did check my bell and made sure I got all the notifications from you. everything is all set. But nothing popped up on my phone at all. :(
Would I have to align a k member on a 1998 mustang gt?
Ive had to measure things "square" like that before and its crazy all the minute things you have to make sure you have in place before you get accurate measurements. I was doing it on things that were suppose to be less than 1/8" in square and they are 36ft. long... crazy
So can we use this technique on basically any Unibody car?
thank you so much
Is this necessary on all vehicles or just older ones?
I think this would be good to know on any build I was working on.
Great job eric, i like the extra locating holes drilled, smart thinking.
Wish I could claim credit. That's actually in the Maximum Motorsports instructions.
You did the job, shut up and smile lol :-D
if you wanted to take it a step farther, i bet you could drill and then tap the hole so you have a dedicated locating screw that helps hold things in place as your torque the k-member bolts.
I agree. That would also ensure the k-member doesn't shift as you drive, if you hit a large pothole or scrape a curb.
Help please I have a 2005 Acura TL and it's giving me a p0340 code but the cam sensor is good . I have source power and ground and 2.8 volts at the signal wire
Great work and ideas! I'm thinking vehicle should be level checked so strings don't have any kind of angle hanging down. You probably said it and I wasn't paying attention. Very helpful video anyways.
Another great educational video. looking forward to seeing Oliver finished. I am confident it will be a tire shredder! You may want to find a tire sponsor. Lol Great work.
Eric, I wish you build the Teggy on a future project!
I like the shorter vids, but I like the long repair vids of old beaters too. All this hate is really getting outa hand. It's like a bunch of kids in the sandbox.
cool video.