Here's my write up on the k-member & spring install done on my car over the weekend, with the help of several Austin F-body listmembers. Pics provided by Dr Debacle (link at bottom)... Also, forgive me if the format is off - I'm just cutting & pasting from the e-mail I sent to the list...

Here is my advice regarding how to install a k-member. It starts with "Go
look up Colvins or L&B in the phone book..." You can guess where it goes
from there.

The whole day was summed up by a caption under a picture in the Haynes
manual regarding removing the engine mounts:
"Engine removed for clarity." If you ever see this in an instruction set -
RUN.

First off, "mad props" go out to the entire pit crew: Andy, Pat, Ruben,
Ryan, Troy, Turtle, and Wes. No way I could have done this without all of
their help. :two thumbs up: You guys f'in rock.

Started at 10am...finished at about 9:30pm...yep, 11+ hours.

Step one: place car on jackstands and remove all 4 wheels.

Step two: remove & replace rear springs, panhard bar, lower control arms,
and install LCA relocation brackets. Don't forget to cut off the mounting
bracket for the brake line. Also, don't put the rear bolt in the front of
the LCA - the front bolt is waaay too short to work in back.

Step 3: remove front spring/coil assembly. No simple task. Leverage and
pickle forks are involved.

Step 4: Support engine/tranny on floor jack with wooden block.

Step 5: Unbolt lower a-arms and steering assembly. Unbolt sway bar & fight
to get long a-arm bolts out around steering dust boots. Fight, scream, and
curse to get steering assembly out of k-member mounting slot. Support
a-arm/spindle/rotor assembly with zipties & prayers.

6: Unbolt k-member from body.

7: Unbolt passenger side engine mount. Attempt to remove Alternator to get
long bolt out. Remove belts to get Alternator loose. Remove long bolt.

8: Unbolt driver side engine mount. Realize that AC compressor is in the
way of removing the long bolt. Disconnect battery after volunteer shocks
self on starter.

9: Remove starter. Decide to unbolt the engine mount from the k-member.
See directions in Haynes manual - note picture that has *engine removed for
clarity* caption.

10: Unbolt engine mount from k-member. Hear everyone present cheer with
glee as it breaks free.

11. Unbolt engine mount from mounting on block. Drop down enough to pull
out long bolt around compressor. Reattach block mount.

12. Bolt up BMR k-member to body. "Encourage" power steering assembly to
fit & bolt in slot.

13. "Persuade" a-arms to fit in new k-member. Don't forget to cut off 'lip'
on the bolts, as the aftermarket k-member doesn't have a slot for it. It's
generally much easier to get the bolt all the way in once this is out of the
way.

14. Reinstall motor mount bolt on passenger side - put bolt in from rear
for easy access. Bolt alternator back on.

15. Reinstall motor mount bolt on driver side - attempt to put bolt in from
rear, as AC compressor is (surprisingly) still in the way. Realize that the
dipstick tube is in the way. Remove dipstick and bolt up.

16. Reinstall dipstick & starter.

17. Tighten all bolts. Don't forget the motor mount bolts. Or the
steering assembly nuts. Or the third alternator bolt.

18. Install front spring assemblies with new springs already on. Thanks to
team "B" working on this during some of the earlier steps...

19. Zip tie brake lines & power steering lines to new k-member.

20. Mount wheels, remove engine support, and lower car.

21. Don't forget to put the serpentine belt back on - and don't forget to
reconnect the battery.

Steps 5-11 took at least 6 hours, and 12-17 probably 3 or 4 hours...

There was a lot more, including pizza delivery, beer retrieval, consumption
& spillage; broken shop light bulbs, music fights involving country, techno,
and 80's flashback; Michael Jackson cell phones, and a ton of other crap
that I just can't remember right now. 11 hours is just too long to work on
a car. Now I know why you can't find directions on how to do this - if
people could read it first, no one would ever buy one!


Dr Debacle's pics of the install:
http://www.minivette.com/k_member/

laters,
Shane



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2002 Sunset Orange Metallic WS6 T/A MN6 -PICS-

Mods: Whisper Lid/Whisper MAF ends/SLP bellows/MAFT(+10/-4)/FLP headers/Hooker catback/BMR STB,SFCs,LCAs,PHR,K-member,& springs
Looks: Custom polished ROH Snypers
Other: Redline/NGK TR55s/MSD wires/Potenza RE730s/Zaino
99 Pewter/Red 'Mecham' T/A MN6 - SOLD