How to stiffen K-frame?

[player1up]

So I finally got fed up with my steering and decided that I'd go break something...drove the snot out of the Duster and the steering wander got worse. Figured it would be bad enough to see something loose or something. I was right, the steering box was loose.
So I removed all of the bolts, opened up the lock washers ( for more bite ), used some lock tight on the threads, and torqued the bolts to about 150ft/lbs and then some.....

BUT, the box pulls on the k-frame, I can watch it pull the driver side motor mount with the box.... The k-frame doesn't move at the frame attaching points, but the thing flexes... anyone have any ideas on how to stiffen the k-frame where the steering box mounts???

 

[1970Duster]

Yeah take the whole k frame out and fully weld the thing up.

 

[player1up]

ya know, I needed a good laugh today. but I suppose I'll be more specific. Is there a way to do this in the car? I'm not looking forward to this...

 

[green1]

Tighten the bolts to 130 ft/pds?

 

[KitCarlson]

On my Dodge police car there were all sorts of metal plates welded on to make the parts stronger. You might be consider fabricating a backing plate for the box and welding it on.

 

[Rice Nuker]

I would like to see this too. I am soon droping my K frame in my car. Want er to be stiff as a wedding prick.

 

[player1up]

well, wanting to get an early start to the weekend, I figured I'd make some templates for some gussets, when what should I find, but a huge crack that runs from the bottom of the spool motor mount down to the lower part of the k frame. Looks like I have even more welding in store for the weekend...wooohoo

 

[AndyF]

Call the guys at Firm Feel. They have a kit of gussets that are designed to be welded into the K frame to make it stiffer. They have pictures of modified K-frames on their website. They have been doing this for 20 years. I'm surprised nobody mentioned this already.

 

[lilcuda]

Call the guys at Firm Feel. They have a kit of gussets that are designed to be welded into the K frame to make it stiffer. They have pictures of modified K-frames on their website. They have been doing this for 20 years. I'm surprised nobody mentioned this already.

You beat me to it, Andy. I was going to say the same thing. I am just finishing up my k member R & R for cleaning, reinforcing & powder coating. I bought one of the Firm Feel kits and had a friend weld it up. Photos of the process so far are here:

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=137461

I need to update the thread with pics of the k member after powder coating.

It's an early a-body, but the principle is the same.

BTW, I wonder who makes the kits for FF? All of the gusset pieces had a number that started with the letters "AR"...