K Brace?

[DMark]

OK......, :icon_scra

I have the oil pan leak at the front and need to tighten up the bolts there. I've done a search and keep reading about "remove the K Brace" and the bolts are easy to get to.

I'm looking at both the car and the factory service manual and for the life of me I can't understand what this K Brace is. :dontknow:

Can anybody post a picture that shows the K Brace and the bolts that hold it in?

Thanks,

[Jeffvette]

They are the braces that go from the side of the frame rail to the the front cross member. When looking at them from the cross member it looks like a K.

You can remove both and not worry about the motor coming out.

[Aurora40]

Yeah, I just did the same thing you are contemplating. Like Jeff said, it sorta looks like a K. You remove the two arms of the "K", leaving an "I". It's pretty easy, though there are some bolts on the side that aren't obvious. I needed a box wrench to get to them, my socket wouldn't fit up there.

I don't have a picture. But look at the front of the oil pan. They are the two 45* angled frame members that are totally in the way of the front of the pan. You can see 4 big bolt heads in a square pattern right in the middle of the car that hold one side of them on.

[DMark]

Are these the braces we're talking about (red arrow)?

Looks like the motor mounts bolt to these.

http://i26.tinypic.com/1zl7n9e.jpg

[bradslt5]

Yup that be them . dont worry the motor mount bolt take it off they are held in place elsewhere . i have had themboth off at the same time and no problem.pulling the passenger side is the only way to get at the right o2 sensor connector

[DMark]

Yup that be them .....
Thanks! :thumbsup:

And now when somebody does a search about the K Brace we'll have a picture for them. :wink:

[bradslt5]

sure wish i knew what to buy to be able to scan and post pics . do they make a good allin one scanner copier fax machine . this old guy computor dummy can you guys give me a clue . sorry for the hijack .

[Aurora40]

Looks like the motor mounts bolt to these.
Yeah, it looks like they do. But they don't. Those are them.

[A26B]

sure wish i knew what to buy to be able to scan and post pics . do they make a good allin one scanner copier fax machine . this old guy computor dummy can you guys give me a clue . sorry for the hijack .

Actually, I scan very little. I have an HPPhotosmart 8450 ink jet printer that does a heck of a job printing photos, everyday printing and has a large array of slots for various ram cards used in digital cameras. Cost was under $200. Great tool. I'm sure there are better now, as it's about 2 yrs old but still going strong.

You really don't even need the printer if your digital camera has a USB cable. Just hook it directly to your computer's USB port & if you have Windows XP, it should automatically prompt you for how you want to proceed. Once uploaded, just send to your "album" in www.photobucket.com (http://www.photobucket.com). Then view your album, select the picture, automatically copy the html code option & paste it into your post.

[DMark]

So once I get those K Braces off what is the best way (tool) to get those front bolts tighten?

[Jeffvette]

Wobble/swivel socket.

[DMark]

Wobble/swivel socket.
Thanks Jeff.

[evl_twn]

They're not that hard to remove, and it's worth it to check the bolts, and clean everything. My bolts were definitely loose.

[DMark]

DONE! :dancing

Winter returned to Tennessee just as I was about to start this effort so I held off until the temps came up.

Removed the K Braces and found the passenger side forward front bolt was the loose one. There was a small drip coming out of it.

Pulled It/Cleaned It/Some Sealer on It/Reinstalled.

Amazed how much of a dirty mess the bottom of the engine was from such a small leak. After a couple of cans of brake cleaner and some shop rags all is "waxer & detailer" slick! :wink:

Thanks everybody for the help! :worship: