So how do I drop the K frame?

Ed Dorey · Apr 23, 2018

I've never tried this before. I need to drop the K frame but not quite sure how to do it. It's on stands and I've tried to loosen the upper a arms (someone told me I need to do this first) but ran into problems there. One side is fine but the other side broke the bolt keepers and now the entire bolt spins while trying to loosen the nut.
1. How do I get the bolts with the broken keepers loose
2. How do I take the tension off the upper a arms to get them off the bolts. so that I can lower the k frame.
3. Anything else I missed.
I've built a few F bodies but never to this level of deconstruction. Any help will be appreciated

MiradaMegacab · Apr 23, 2018

Spray all bolts to be removed with rust buster a week prior to working on your car. Drill 3/16 holes in the frame rail to soak the 4 k frame bolts

Ed Dorey · Apr 23, 2018

MiradaMegacab said:
Spray all bolts to be removed with rust buster a week prior to working on your car. Drill 3/16 holes in the frame rail to soak the 4 k frame bolts

any thoughts on how to get then ones that are already spinning out?

DCAspen · Apr 24, 2018

Unbolt the upper ball joint and push the upper control arm up,then you can drop the K-frame,You'll be able to access the upper control arm easier with all the other stuff out of the way.Are you reusing these parts?

Ed Dorey · Apr 25, 2018

DCAspen said:
Unbolt the upper ball joint and push the upper control arm up,then you can drop the K-frame,You'll be able to access the upper control arm easier with all the other stuff out of the way.Are you reusing these parts?

I wanted to reuse them with all new ball joints, and bushings. I was also thinking about cutting the bolts off and getting new ones but I'm not sure who would have them

DCAspen · Apr 25, 2018

Jim in Arizona,He should have some rust free hardware for you

4speedjim · May 1, 2018

Only ever seen it done on a lift.

BudW · May 11, 2018

If I understand what you are saying, the bolt touching the nut indicated by blue arrow, spins below the support bracket (red arrow)?

If so, separate the upper ball joint from knuckle, push control arm upwards, then remove the 4 bolts that attach support bracket to K-frame (purple circles) and upper shock nut.
The upper control arm will come off car with the support bracket.

Then take that assembly to a vice to extract the nut (or use a nut cracker, or torch, or . . .).

Matter of fact, both support brackets (red arrow) must be removed to remove K-frame from car, to begin with.

I would generously apply penetrating oil to all exposed bolts, nuts, etc., several times before disassembly. Drilling holes in crossmember at the bolt locations – is also advisable.
If a K-frame to frame rail nut breaks loose (welds break from frame rail) and spins in frame rail – there is not a lot of options, at that point.
BudW

Ed Dorey · May 21, 2018

BudW said:
If I understand what you are saying, the bolt touching the nut indicated by blue arrow, spins below the support bracket (red arrow)?
View attachment 29651
If so, separate the upper ball joint from knuckle, push control arm upwards, then remove the 4 bolts that attach support bracket to K-frame (purple circles) and upper shock nut.
The upper control arm will come off car with the support bracket.

Then take that assembly to a vice to extract the nut (or use a nut cracker, or torch, or . . .).

Matter of fact, both support brackets (red arrow) must be removed to remove K-frame from car, to begin with.

I would generously apply penetrating oil to all exposed bolts, nuts, etc., several times before disassembly. Drilling holes in crossmember at the bolt locations – is also advisable.
If a K-frame to frame rail nut breaks loose (welds break from frame rail) and spins in frame rail – there is not a lot of options, at that point.
BudW

Thanks for the info. This helps a bunch.

Poly · Jun 19, 2018

The first time trying to remove the crossbar I must have struggled with it off and on for two days, had the belated idea to check the service manual, and took the stress off the torsion bars. With the heat shields off, cannot recall the exact tool used to stop the bolts from spinning, maybe a crowbar.

Kernel Sanders · Jun 21, 2018

don't forget to separate the steering shaft from the steering box before dropping the assembly!

So how do I drop the K frame?

Ed Dorey

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MiradaMegacab

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Ed Dorey

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DCAspen

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Ed Dorey

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DCAspen

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4speedjim

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BudW

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Ed Dorey

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Poly

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Kernel Sanders

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