K-frame and Lower Control Arms Fitment

[71Scamper]

Hey everyone. So I decided to go with a QA1 K and lowers to be able to install a sway bar, save some weight, and free up some space in the engine bay. My factory K didn't have any mounting spots for a factory sway (I think someone modified the stock K at some point before I got it). My friend has a B-body setup and his went together flawlessly. He absolutely loves the setup and the handling afterward. That was also a deciding factor to get a QA1 setup, plus I also got a 15% discount through Summit's Ebay store. I'm having an issue with lining up the strut rods. Ive been in contact with QA1. They sent me 2 new sets of lower control arms to try. Between the 2 sets I have gotten the rod ends closer but they are still off enough that I have to put some force on the struts rods to get the bolt to slide through and to center the rod end in the bracket as they are pushing off to one side. This also wrenches on the lower control arm bushing to make it fit (I haven't even tried to get the torsion bar back into the lower yet). When I try to articulate the suspension afterwards, it binds significantly. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm almost tempted to purchase a whole new setup from QA1, have them assemble it at their facility before shipping it to me and then return the old setup.

 

[Ricks70Duster340]

I'm very late responding to your post. I had a 70 Duster that I installed the K member, QA1 lowers and adjustable strut rods. The passenger side went together like it had eyes but the driver side had exactly the same problem you are seeing. I contacted QA1 about the problem and they said they have never had a report about that problem before. They said they would talk to their engineering department and get back with me. Guess what, crickets. I called and asked for a supervisor and told the whole story. They sent me another set of LCA's but that one driver side also had the same problem. I suspect the K member hole for the strut rod is incorrectly angled.

What did I do to fix this? Well, the "fix" I came up with was really dumb, but it worked. I had a friend with a torch heat the strut tube and bent it up (was almost an inch as I recall) until the bolt would go through the eye. I don't care what QA1 said; something is off with their manufacturing setup. Oh, another thing; the QA1 gold adjustable strut rod end that goes into the LCA is much smaller than the diameter of the loop they made on the LCA. Dumb. I sent the strut rods back to Summit and ordered the adjustable rods from PST.

 

[67Dart273]

Quite some time ago, I remember vaguely that some guys on this board had a VERY negative opinion about QA-1

 

[csx711]

late to the reply. i run Qa1 in all my cars never a issue. PM if any questions.