Tubular control arms and springs

[SmockDoiley]

Question, all the lower control arms I see dont have any provision to load a spring or coilover setup so how do you install your springs with tubular control arms. I bought a K-member and it says I cant use my 85 stock control arms so I have to get the aftermarkets, but how do you load the suspension when there is nothing to support the spring, its a big hollow triangle???

 

[Kumm3]

Coilovers.

 

[SmockDoiley]

I guess from how the kits look, you reuse your stock struts on a coilover. I've never messed with coilovers and didnt plan to but I guess I have to. Just sucks because these kits dont really explain all this until you buy it and read the instructions and the fine print. I'm bolting the Tubular K in right now and might reinstall the flaming rivers rack if my girlfriend doesnt pull me away. I just wanted to slap my stock control arms and reuse the Eibachs but I guess I cant. You have to get 87+ arms and hack em up and thats just gay.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Some tubular K-frames will accept stock control arms. I don't know what brand though. I know it is the more expensive of all of them. I don't know if you have to modify them or not, if you do, it can't be much. I have seen this on many Mustangs. Coil overs put a lot of stress and weight on your shock towes. Make sure you have good caster/camber plates and a good strut tower brace.

 

[SmockDoiley]

I got a strut tower brace, and steel CC plates with spherical bushings. The K is a QA1 unit and it specifically says you cant use 1985 control arms and its an 85. 86 and up has to be cut to work and that seems cheap to me.

 

[lvboost]

dand d motorsports sell a perch so u can use the stock control arms with your kit

 

[Mustank]

You can also buy tubular control arms with spring cups.

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=AJE-MU6001 1&comp=LRS

 

[EMW150]

I have the QA-1 on my '84. When I first got it, I ran my stock control arms and springs for several years with it before I switched to tubular arms and coil overs. Don't see what the difference is on the '85 arms. I do recall having to modify slightly to install but it was no big deal.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Tubular A-arms with cups require a different K-member, to accept stock springs. A friend on mine said he could not use his stock springs unless he cut them. He also said the K-frame was bending when he tried to get them in. He said that he just wasted 1200 bucks for all the stuff and is pist off....he bought all the stock suspension from me...at my work.....

 

[SmockDoiley]

EMW, what did you modify on your control arms?

 

[SmockDoiley]

Thats cool you can get them with the cups but $400 is ridiculous.

 

[EMW150]

EMW, what did you modify on your control arms?

I remember I put them on and had to clearance the edges so they'd clear. I just moved them up and down and ground a little at a time till they didn't rub.