The aftermarket K Member alignment myth...

tonys5.0

New Member
Sep 17, 2004
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Jacksonville, FL
After weeks of being under my car with everything apart investigating the "aftermarket K-Member alignment myth", I have come to the same conclusion as many others and that is, they are pretty much "self aligning" meaning you really can't screw anything up unless you try to. The theory is that the "alignment myth" began with some shop because they wanted to install it and charge big bucks for the labor. I tried adjusting my QA1 every way that I could and accept for a front to back adjustment, there is no way it can be aligned.

One thing is for sure and that is the QA1 K-Member pushes the engine slightly to the passenger's side. I've heard of some people fabricating aluminum plates to go between the passenger side motor mount and engine block as a solution to pushing the engine back to the driver's side. Others and myself included agree that it really doesn't hurt anything if the engine sits slightly more to the passenger side or not unless you own a Mach 1 or have a shaker installed. Otherwise it's not that extreme and as for my tire wear, my passenger side tire wears pretty much the same as my driver's side.
 
you will still need an alignment with a new k member!!:D

anytime the suspension is removed for any reason you should check the alignment out. i have personally seen aftermarket K members throw the camber out over a full degree on multiple cars. and that will ruin the tires quickly.

aligning the K member is no tough task, it just bolts in. the wheel alignment is no myth i assure you!i would put money on it that your alignment is off
 
I know you will need a wheel alignment but I was talking about aligning the K-Member itself. I was under there again last night adjusting my tie rods and I gave it one more look. There is no room on either side of the K-Member bolt holes to adjust from right to left but there is enough to move it from front to back.
 
Is it square with your frame? I was under the impression that you had to do all those measurements to ensure that your k member is still dead on square with your frame rails.

Otherwise you will be tracking off. Now a small amount can be fixed in the wheel alignment but overall its still bad.