BMR K Member... Finally!

SilverGT1

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2017
Messages
229
Location
Cameron Park, CA
I ordered mine over Memorial Day weekend. I canceled my order July 23rd or 23th because they couldn't get me an idea for a ship date. And I'm out of the return window for the control arms that I have no need for. Although I think I should get some forgiveness on that since it's their fault I'm out of that window.
Good point. I also ordered a A-Arm support brace with mine (which, by the way, MM provides with their K-member). That part shipped right away. However, when I ordered, I asked if it will clear the Moroso 7QT road race oil pan I will be installing. They had no idea but that they would work with me if it doesn't. I am not exactly sure what that means. I might return that now and have them resend with the K when it is ready. As it is, my return window is closing on that part.

From their website:
All non-warranty returns must be made within 90 days from the date of shipment and are subject to a 15% restocking fee, excluding all shipping cost.

AND


BMR does not warranty our product for fitment with aftermarket product from other manufacturers. This applies to suspension products from other manufacturers as well as aftermarket exhaust products, aftermarket drivetrain products, and other aftermarket products. BMR products that are returned due to fitment issues with OEM components or BMR product will receive a full refund. BMR products that are returned due to fitment issues with aftermarket product will be subject to a 15% restocking fee.

So I am not really sure what I am in for here.
 

01yellercobra

AKA slo984now
Established Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2005
Messages
21,128
Location
Cali
Good point. I also ordered a A-Arm support brace with mine (which, by the way, MM provides with their K-member). That part shipped right away. However, when I ordered, I asked if it will clear the Moroso 7QT road race oil pan I will be installing. They had no idea but that they would work with me if it doesn't. I am not exactly sure what that means. I might return that now and have them resend with the K when it is ready. As it is, my return window is closing on that part.

From their website:
All non-warranty returns must be made within 90 days from the date of shipment and are subject to a 15% restocking fee, excluding all shipping cost.

AND


BMR does not warranty our product for fitment with aftermarket product from other manufacturers. This applies to suspension products from other manufacturers as well as aftermarket exhaust products, aftermarket drivetrain products, and other aftermarket products. BMR products that are returned due to fitment issues with OEM components or BMR product will receive a full refund. BMR products that are returned due to fitment issues with aftermarket product will be subject to a 15% restocking fee.

So I am not really sure what I am in for here.
I emailed them and naturally I haven't heard back. I'll probably end up posting them for sale locally once my garage is organized. If I didn't already have the MM set up I might've hung on a little longer. But the lack of communication with me as well as Lethal really killed it for me. As much as I like BMR I probably won't use them for anything else.
 

shurur

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
3,760
Location
Lutz, FL
You guys..everything is on back order for materials or labor. This is Covid related. Mfging has shut down.

I just had an apt fridge die and had to call a ton of places just to find floor model....
 

01yellercobra

AKA slo984now
Established Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2005
Messages
21,128
Location
Cali
You guys..everything is on back order for materials or labor. This is Covid related. Mfging has shut down.

I just had an apt fridge die and had to call a ton of places just to find floor model....
I'm aware of that. It took 3 weeks to get the washer and dryer we ordered for the new house. One of the reason we went with the fridge we found is because it was in stock.

But being low on materials doesn't excuse the lack of communication. Even just to say they don't have the metal yet would be enough for me.
 

Albatross

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
Messages
302
Location
Georgia
I'm with @01yellercobra on this one. It's the lack of communication. I have no problems waiting due to covid. That is totally understandable. It's the fact that I sent 3 emails asking if it will fit with long tubes and never got a single response. I know that this is a new product and they may or may not know if it will fit, that's fine. I just wanted some reassurance that if it didn't fit I wouldn't be stuck with a 500 dollar piece of metal in my garage. Communication is key when it comes to customer service.
 

Liquidsnake

Lok'tar Ogar
Established Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2011
Messages
331
Location
Houston, Texas
I ordered the KM743 back in March. I was told it would be a few weeks at that time. I sent several emails to BMR asking about long tube header clearance and steering shaft clearance with long tubes. I never got any response. Due to the fact they were taking forever to get it shipped and they never gave me an answer to whether or not it will fit with long tubes, I had to cancel my order. I have no problems with the long wait time. However, I do have issues with them not responding to my emails. I don't want to end up with a $500 paper weight that I can't use because of my long tubes. I certainly hope these k members end up working out. I just can't afford to be a guinnea pig right now. Those of you that are going to install them, please report back with info and pics!


I got my premium K with perches in yesterday, I’m going to order the brace and then install it...and I’ll let you know!

FWIW I have 1 3/4 ARH longtubes, and a solid steering shaft shaft. ES motor mounts.
 

SilverGT1

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2017
Messages
229
Location
Cameron Park, CA
Got mine today. Packaging took a pretty hard beating. Doesn't appear to have any protective packaging. Just a K-Member in a box.
IMG_7408.JPG
 

shurur

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
3,760
Location
Lutz, FL
I am anxious to see whether these can take the additional ( besides the BMR A-arm brace) MM Kmember braces just as the Steeda Kmember does.

I suspect they will.

Good stuff.

Get busy you guys!! ;-)
 

SilverGT1

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2017
Messages
229
Location
Cameron Park, CA
Unboxed and inspected my KM744 premium k-member. I think that there is a real design flaw with the control are mounting. They have two mounting locations for the control arms. That is good. However, they have them so close together that the holes nearly intersect. The web between the holes only measures .057 to .060. I think that this is far too thin for this high stress area. This part is intended for road race applications where you will see extreme load from hard braking and corning. Not to mention the static load the area is under to begin with. I don't think I want to see what happens when that web lets go when dropping from 100mph to 40mph, braking extremely hard and throwing it into a corner.

Second issue I see with this is that is does not leave a continuous surface for the bushing to ride on. In fact, I think what will happen is that the bushing will deform and get locked in place by the adjacent hole. Yes, the bushing will still rotate in the control arm but that is not exactly how that assembly supposed to work.

What are your thoughts?

IMG_7422.JPG
IMG_7423.JPG
 

01yellercobra

AKA slo984now
Established Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2005
Messages
21,128
Location
Cali
Their upper control arm mount for the S197 has a kind of keyhole set up. I know guys running 10's with it and not having issues. I'm no engineer, but I think you'll be ok.
4e192850b69606194e9ef96b608dafc2.jpg
 

shurur

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
3,760
Location
Lutz, FL
Here is an unboxing / review I did.

This is the exact same crap put on the BMR as was in the Steeda kmember buy thread.

You have it already breaking before it has even been installed.

If you are not going to put it on your car fine.
Just get in on the the Steeda buy for $1000.

BMR has actually stepped up to the plate and made us a kmember, vice discontinuing one like Steeda did.
 

SteedaGT

Keebler Racing
Established Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2005
Messages
1,061
Location
Orlando, FL
Bushings will absorb the load long before that metal breaks. And like 01yella posted, that keyhole design is used on many applications and has proven to be reliable. I’m just happy a company is finally supporting our community again.
 

SilverGT1

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2017
Messages
229
Location
Cameron Park, CA
This is the exact same crap put on the BMR as was in the Steeda kmember buy thread.

You have it already breaking before it has even been installed.

If you are not going to put it on your car fine.
Just get in on the the Steeda buy for $1000.

BMR has actually stepped up to the plate and made us a kmember, vice discontinuing one like Steeda did.
I haven’t condemned it. Only pointing out my concern. I haven’t suggested that anyone shouldn’t buy it. I’ve not called it a piece of crap. To the contrary, I stated that it looks good. The only flaw that concerned me, I pointed out and looked for guidance from the good folks of this community. After some discussion on another forum, I feel good and I am going to install this. My concern was / is legitimate. If it happed to be a weak point, I didn’t want to find out going from 120 to 40 in a tight corner. I am going to delrin control arm bushings though. It will ease my mind knowing that they are not binding in that adjacent hole. Also, that keyhole design is not really apples to apples. That is in the rear and is the center section pivot (or whatever they call it on those model years). It does not see the same dynamics as the front control arm.

I know nothing of the BBK design and my purchasing descision was between this or MM.
 

Blkkbgt

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2011
Messages
3,080
Location
The land of commies and socialists!
@SilverGT1

I watched your video, it's nice to get a good look at the BMR k member. I am honestly shocked at the lack of instructions.

I'd be very interested to hear what BMR has to say about the control arm mount holes being so close together. I wonder if the change in load path created by coilovers has anything to do with it? Then again last I checked you get that k with spring purches too.

In my mind with coilovers and the control arm bolts being installed in the upper hole the load would be appled to the upper portion of the hole not the bottom. To me this makes installed the control arms in the upper hole important especially with coilovers. I'd be very interested to hear what others have to say about this.

One thing I am relatively sure of is the gusset on your driver's side engine mount. If you look at the upper tube that is welded to the mount you can clearly see that it is outside or aft of the centerline of the mount plate. The gusset is there to spread the load to the tube more evenly. I am sure BMR or an engineer could explain it in a more technical manner.
 

shurur

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
3,760
Location
Lutz, FL
I haven’t condemned it. Only pointing out my concern. I haven’t suggested that anyone shouldn’t buy it. I’ve not called it a piece of crap. To the contrary, I stated that it looks good. The only flaw that concerned me, I pointed out and looked for guidance from the good folks of this community. After some discussion on another forum, I feel good and I am going to install this. My concern was / is legitimate. If it happed to be a weak point, I didn’t want to find out going from 120 to 40 in a tight corner. I am going to delrin control arm bushings though. It will ease my mind knowing that they are not binding in that adjacent hole. Also, that keyhole design is not really apples to apples. That is in the rear and is the center section pivot (or whatever they call it on those model years). It does not see the same dynamics as the front control arm.

I know nothing of the BBK design and my purchasing descision was between this or MM.
Thanks....and sorry.
Understood.
I Am just tired of the Steeda kmember koolaid being passed around.
I understand that you don't want to die.

I know far less than most folks in this forum; so not have much value-add in this.

I don't want you to test this possible weakness for me. I wonder whether the unused drill hole could be fill welded and ground down?

I have GW del-u-lum (whatever) bushings in my oem control arms. I can test that weakness for you, as I only go 80+ on the highway and may need to brake heavily at a moment's notice.
;-)
Edit:
Ok watched your video and now I am worried too.
It is like the the drill center holes were too close to begin with. I apologize profusely.
 
Last edited:

94slowbra1

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
2,779
Location
new orleans
I think om going to pull the trigger on this piece this week. I don't tbink the 2 holes drilled by each other are that big of a deal. If so ill just weld a piece into the bottom hole and refinish it. My car is lowered so ill be using the top mounting location and will never have a use for the bottom location.
For the price I cant pass it up. The sreeda unit is 1k and the MM is almost 1k with the arms, plus you need oil filter relocation, special rack bushings, ect...
Hopefully they have some available
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top