front suspension questions (k-member, a-arms... etc)

[will_95gt]

Alright guys, i have some money coming in and i'm finally able to fork some dough out for a new front suspension.

As you may or may not remember me talking about earlier, i was told by some mustang shop that my k-member was bent... :-( this happened after my car was driven into a ditch.

I'm checkin out new k-member kits from upr, aje, granatelli... just ones here and there, and i've got a few questions:

question one: how much does the stock k-member/a-arms assembly weigh? I'm seeing sites advertise their kit as a weight saver, but i'd like to know how much weight we're talking.

question two: if my k-member is bent, its very possible that the parts that are connected to my bent k-member might not line up with my new one. If so, which parts should i be concerned about? A-arms? What else?

I've done some work on my rear suspension but this is my first time to tackle the front, its fairly foreign to me.

question three: for general better handling and weight reduction... also for a little more clearance to install headers in the future, what brands would yall recomend? anybody have any installation stories about brands they like/dislike?


Thanks GUYS!



p.s. the upr kit i'm looking at is right chere:
http://www.uprproducts.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=299
What do you guys think? It asks for a spring rate--any input here guys?

 

[earleys94gt]

1.) I believe the stock K-member is somewhere around 45-50 lbs. An aftermarket one(aje, granatelli etc.) I think are around 30-35 ibs...

2.) If your doing the k-memeber you'd might as well do a-arms to, save more weight and if your k-member is bent too.

Check out this link for more info...
http://users.adelphia.net/~mustang-92/Weight Reduction.htm

 

[Farmers SN95]

Just to let you know, I have a UPR k-member/a-arms and I like it a lot.

 

[Wi Stang]

I went with the PA Racing K-Member and A-Arms. The K-member fit like a glove.

I am pretty sure that my stock K-member weighed in at 83lbs. The new PA Racing member was 33lbs. So right there I knocked 50lbs off the front. Then the A-arms were probably a couple of pounds lighter each.

 

[cjones]

i like the maximummotorsports.com system although you'll need to go coilover also.

 

[bmac50]

First thing I'd do is take it to a shop what does this type of work and see what they'd replace. Explain to them what happened so they have a heads up on what to look for. Some shops charge a half hour while others charge nothing but I'd at lease get two opinions. As for brands there are many, Maximun Motorsports, UPR, Granatelli, HAl and so on with most of the after market stuff being lighter. I have the Maximun MMKB4-3 and MM lower control arms, MM tie rod ends, MM caster camber plates and MM subframes. Car handles very well and much much better than stock.

 

[GTA_V6_Mustang]

i like the maximummotorsports.com system although you'll need to go coilover also.

interesting, what do they to about the strut tower? Because I know our strut tower was never designed to support the weight of the vehicle so I am interested to know how the re-inforce it?

 

[will_95gt]

cool, thanks a lot for all the help guys.


I think i'm just going to go with the upr kit. Heres their info about it:

1. 100% Chrome-moly K-member, silver powder coated.

2. 100% Chrome-moly A-arms silver powdercoated.

3. Coil over kit with exclusive design adjuster nut with new set screw design to ensure it never looses it's setting !
that requires no tools to adjust and Eibach springs for unmatchable ride quality.
any rate please specify when ordering

Its $699.00 which is a little pricy but i could probably fit it in my budget.

My only question now is, what are common spring rates and how do i know which one to choose?

once again, thanks for the input guys

-Will

 

[cjones]

interesting, what do they to about the strut tower? Because I know our strut tower was never designed to support the weight of the vehicle so I am interested to know how the re-inforce it?

i've been running their coilovers for 4 1/2 yrs and had no problems. i also have their 4 bolt camber/caster plates.