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Alignment issues after k-member install..

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Old 01-03-2011, 09:06 AM
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Default Alignment issues after k-member install..

I just instaled a BMR k-member last week, and the alignment was aweful as expected. I brought it to get aligned today and they said they couldn't get it aligned and I need adjustable lower a-arms

He is a gearhead and didn't charge me since he couldn't get it right, but what should I do? I know there are plenty of people running stock a-arms on a tubular k-member, and I don't want to spend the coin on a-arms..
Old 01-03-2011, 10:30 AM
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I would recommend trying another alignment shop.....

A lot of alignment shops are thrown off if the factory alignment tool can't be used...

Our K-member actually offer a broader alignment correction window then the factory K-member.

If you are still having issues just give me a call here at the office and I am sure we can figure out the issue.
Old 01-03-2011, 10:32 AM
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Sounds good, thanks! For the record, the k-member fit beautifully, and by no means am I blaming the issue on it
Old 01-03-2011, 11:25 AM
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Theres a reason for the slots where the a arms bolt up.....
Old 01-03-2011, 11:40 AM
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Theres a reason I ask questions.. I'm a noob. I'm goin to have to take another look to see if there's movement in the slots left
Old 01-03-2011, 07:05 PM
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prybar on the backside of the lower control arm, just like a trailblazer adjustment.
Old 01-03-2011, 07:26 PM
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thats weird? I took some measurements before I took the rack, and arms off my stock Kmeber, And the lower arms have like 1/4 more room in and out of the rear mount. did you put diffrent spindles or upper shock mounts or somthing?
Old 01-03-2011, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by studderin
thats weird? I took some measurements before I took the rack, and arms off my stock Kmeber, And the lower arms have like 1/4 more room in and out of the rear mount. did you put diffrent spindles or upper shock mounts or somthing?
Nope, everything is stock other than the k-member. You can visually see my driverside tire is crooked by 1-2 inches while the drivers is straight.. I'm going to try and play with it tomorrow and get it at least visually straight and then bring it to an alignment shop..

The guy who was doing the original alignment is building a turbo 5.3 in an rx7, so I figured he would know what he was doing..
Old 01-04-2011, 09:26 AM
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Looked at it last night, and the passenger wheel is visibly pointing out, but the front slot of the a-arm is moved all the way in. My thoughts are to move the whole k-member slightly towards the drivers side, you can see the bolts are sitting on the drivers side of the mounts, as well as move the rear of the a-arm out to straighten the wheel.

Thoughts?

All I want to do is get it close enough for a shop to do a real alignment..
Old 01-04-2011, 12:11 PM
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Having issues guys, can't figure out what doing on to make it so far out... did my best with the pics. These pictures are with the steering wheel straight, or atleast what I think is straight unless I messed up the linkage?

Drivers side

[IMG][/IMG]



Passenger side





You can see that the k-member could be slid toward the drivers side, but is that really the issue?

Old 01-04-2011, 02:21 PM
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I can see why the alignment shop couldn't get it right. That thing has a helluva lot of positive toe! I don't think moving the k-member or the lower control arms is going to fix that. Are you still using your original factory rack and pinion?
Old 01-04-2011, 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 5.3LJimmy
I can see why the alignment shop couldn't get it right. That thing has a helluva lot of positive toe! I don't think moving the k-member or the lower control arms is going to fix that. Are you still using your original factory rack and pinion?
Yep, everything completely stock other than kmember, and it all worked a week ago on the stock kmember.

I talked to Kyle at BMR and he seemed like a great guy and was helpful. He even got on ls1tech to look at the pictures I posted I'm currently at a different (presumably better) alignment shop and they said they can do it

I'll let you guys know how it goes, thanks for all the help!
Old 01-04-2011, 02:31 PM
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That's good news, if you run into anything give me a call at the shop.
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Old 01-04-2011, 02:50 PM
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Good luck with the new shop! Hopefully you have enough adjustment for them to straighten it out.
Old 01-04-2011, 03:02 PM
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I have a BMR kmember with stock lower, upper arms. After install my alignment was shot. Took it to the shop and everything is perfect. Like what everyone else said, find a better shop. GL!
Old 01-04-2011, 03:21 PM
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New shop did an awesome job and its drives like a dream now!!

The guy was an old racer who used to run pro stock back in the day, and he's building a 66 'Vette with an LS1 and C4 suspension

Thanks for all the help guys!
Old 01-04-2011, 05:01 PM
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cool, looked like you had to make some changes with the outer tierods, then the control arm to change the toe
Old 01-04-2011, 05:16 PM
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Originally Posted by studderin
cool, looked like you had to make some changes with the outer tierods, then the control arm to change the toe
Yea it was pretty off, I didn't expect to have to adjust the tie rod ends though...

Doesn't make a difference to me though as long as it goes straight
Old 01-05-2011, 09:05 AM
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Glad you got her going in a straight line!
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Old 01-05-2011, 09:20 AM
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sweet! glad its fixed this will be one of my future mods...gotta get my ls6 intake first :/



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