VP V6 K-frame swap

[yogi_b]

Firstly I'm on my phone and search didn't show up anything useful so if there is an obvious post that I hadn't found I'm sorry.

Anyway, my vp is pulling off to the left horribly. To the extent that I have to hold the wheel at about a 15 degree angle to travel straight. I've replaced the springs and shocks, had it aligned twice and still does it. I've noticed that the k frame has been bent where the z bar that links the control arm to the k frame. I've replaced the z bar (it had been straightened out by the hit the car obviously took) but the wheel gap (2 fingers at the back of the wheel, 5 at the front with vt 17s) still remains. I suspect the control arm is probably a bit bent too.

Now you have the back story, my question is, how difficult is it to replace the kframe? I have basic tools (spanners, sockets screwdrivers) and access to a small trolley jack but no engine hoist or heavy lifting gear.

is it a lot of work/worth it? Can I get by without holding the engine up? Or should I pay for a mechanic to do it? I'm a poor uni student atm and I very much enjoy doing these things myself so I'd obviously prefer the former, but I know if I ever plan on selling this car it has to be fixed.

Alternatively, would it be a horrible idea to bend the z-bar further (more of a z) and replace the lower control arm to pull the strut forward?

Inb4 why did you buy a car that doesn't drive straight, it was given to me because it needed some works and I'm known in my family for being the person that can fix things.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

It's not that hard to replace the K frame, just time consuming. You don't really need an engine hoist, you can jack the engine up and support it with a length of wood across the chassis rails.

A wheel aligner that knew anything would know how to check for bent steering and suspension components when doing an alignment so he should have picked up if anything was bent.

Do not bend anything to compensate for another bent component. Repair or replace the bent component.

[mr calais 5.0]

If you can take it to a mechanic or a mate that has a hoist and get under it to see what's bent or broken..

[yogi_b]

i've gotten under it a few times when doing the suspension etc. and had a good look. Its definately the kframe thats bent. I will upload some comparison photos and the extent of the gap.

Bent left (passenger) side
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Not bent right (Drivers) side
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

Extent of the gap
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

They don't come up as you probably copied the image straight from your hosting account? Can you copy the location of the image?

[yogi_b]

sorry, picasa is being a pain.

attempt #2

Bent left (passenger) side


Not bent right (Drivers) side


Extent of the gap

[mr calais 5.0]

Looks like the rod with the rubbers on it is bent? Can't you just replace that?

[yogi_b]

Looks like the rod with the rubbers on it is bent? Can't you just replace that?

It was, I have already replaced that. When I compared the two side by side the old one was significantly straighter than the new "correctly" bent one.

[Andrew426]

K frame swap was pretty easy when I had the engine out of my car, I dont think it would be too bad with it still in.

A couple more jacks and pairs of axle stands will certainly help too