You may remember a while back when we installed a QA1 K-member in Project Rehab, our 1991 Fox body Mustang. We liked the fit and finish of this K-member and the quality behind it. QA1 recently sent us a video that goes step by step through their K-member construction process, which we found quite impressive.

A cnc band saw cuts all tubing before bending begins.

According to QA1 the K-members consist of tubular and plate steel, as well as CNC machined components. Tubing comes into QA1’s Lakeville, Minnesota faculty and is cut and then bent on CNC machinery. It’s then scanned for to maintain quality and accuracy of the bends. After the first part is scanned, all successive parts are checked in a check fixture, again ensuring that quality is maintained to a high level, and that each part is consistently manufactured the same.

A 2,500 watt CNC laser cutter is responsible for cutting all of the plate steel on the K-member. This machine is clean and accurate, and produces incredible results. A CNC press brake is also used for bending various components. Steering rack mounts receive two machining processes, a CNC lathe to cut the threads, followed by a milling to put a flat surface on the mounts for clearance. Every fifth mount is checked for thread cutting accuracy, and every tenth on all dimensions, ensuring that each one comes out properly.

ASW certified welders complete the main assembly process once all pieces have been manufactured.

The final step in assembly is to weld everything together. An ASW certified welder handles this step. These skilled welders use their talent to assemble all of the parts that have come through the rest of the machining process.

Once the K-members are finished, their sent to the powder coating operation, and then returned, and packaged with hardware, spring perches, and QA1 logos.