Front leaf spring nut removal?
 

Any suggestions on removing the front leaf spring nut on an XJ? I cut an access hole in the bracket and I have been beating the crap out of it with a 3 lb hammer and a chisel but it hasnt budged.

The threads are stripped and would rather not re-tap it, any suggestions to get this thing out of there?

Front leaf spring nut? I don't believe there is a nut. Doesn't the bolt screw into a threaded hole in the frame/chassis?

That "threaded hole" is a large nut that is tack welded in from behind. He is trying to remove/replace it, because it is stripped.

I understand what it is. Is it common to remove and replace these on XJs if/when they strip out? Seems like retapping may be less painful (but still painful) then removing a nut welded to the inside of the frame.

Re-tapping only works if you get the bolt OUT.

Many times they are frozen, or the tack welds on the nut break, and it just spins. Very common problem. Just dealt with it myself as a matter of fact...

If either of those things happen, you gotta cut...

Attachment 292283

Attachment 292284

I cut the bushing out, then cut the access hole to fish the weld nut out. One side no issue, as it was already broken. The other side, I had to use a pneumatic chisel to get it out.

Wow, what a PITA... So it sounds like an air chisel may be in the OP's future.

I cut the piece out like Roninofako did. The bolt is out so no problems there.

I just dont want to re tap because I really wont trust the strength of the thread compared to a fresh nut.

Before I started removing the spring I was dreading the weld breaking and having to cut into it but after how easy it was to get access to the nut, I wish the weld would have broke at the start, it would of made the rest of this a lot easier.

I cut the piece out like Roninofako did. The bolt is out so no problems there.

I just dont want to re tap because I really wont trust the strength of the thread compared to a fresh nut.

Before I started removing the spring I was dreading the weld breaking and having to cut into it but after how easy it was to get access to the nut, I wish the weld would have broke at the start, it would of made the rest of this a lot easier.

So I am trying to replace my leaf springs as well. On one side, I got the front hanger bolt loose and it backed out about an inch, now it just spins! i can't get it to back out any further, it just spins. I am thinking the tack-welded nut broke free. I understand cutting the bottom of the frame to gain access? But how do you cut the bushing out? Do you cut the bolt on both sides of the bushing so it can be removed. Thanks in advance, i am definitely not a mechanic here!

how and where did you cut

See pic in post #5.

Ditto, see the pics above. I used a grinder with a cutoff wheel.

Sorry for replying to such an old thread, but I'm in the middle of doing this and have not gotten out the nut yet, however it looks like its not a standard M14 nut. To me it looked much taller, maybe to fill out the void between the bracket and frame for more strength. Any ideas where i can get or make this nut?

I had the luxury of having a fastener specialist 10 minutes from my house at the time, I just took the measurements of what I needed and they provided, haha...I just used grade 8 hardware. I believe it was a shoulder bolt with appropriate washers and nut.