While replacing the rear leaf springs on my 1993 Cherokee, the welds holding the nut in the frame broke. It was in the front support and there appears to be no access to this nut. I know what the problem was, after I cut the spring and bushing away, I could see that the split collar had corroded to the bolt. This kept the bolt from comming out and ended up pushing the nut from the frame. Anybody else had this problem? What was your solution?

 

I think that all you can do in that situation is cut an access hole and put a new nut in there. As far as I know you can either take out the carpet and go in through the floor or possibly go in through the "frame" rail on the opposite side. If you search here and naxja, you should be able to find decent write-ups covering both methods.

 

ive just cut a small hole directly below where the welded nut should be and it fell out....... could then hold with finger whilst i put new bolt through.

 

yup, both the floor method and zs's access hole method works good. i've used both. mine currently has zs's idea and works good. i can get a wrench in there to hold the nut. but i think i'll throw some weld on it to hold it there permenantly again.

if you go with zs's idea, take a grinder with a thick disc and grind the mount a bit until the nut falls out. you don't want to go much bigger than that.

 

ok thanks. Do i need a welder for this or can i get a frame shop to do it? And also does anybody know where i can get a write-up at for this crap.

 

i dont think you will need to weld the nut back on just make sure to use a lock nut and check the torque every so often which you should be doing anyway on a lifted truck as for the wrieup just try searching here and naxja there should be someone that did a writeup

 

Im trying to find one man but no luck so far.

 

I had the same problem - slice with grinder right under it , pry the slice open enough to remove the old nut, replace with a lock nut or lock-washer combo, install the bolt, hammer the slice closed, mig weld it up. If you dont have a mig, finish the lift, take it too a good welder that knows how to weld upside down- worked for me- hope it helps ya

 

how hard is it to cut the frame and what did you use??

 

i used a 4 1/2 hand-grinder with a cutoff wheel and saftey glasses

 

It's really NBD!! As was said an angle grinder with a cut off wheel and a fresh bolt and nut, grade 8 of course, and you should be good to go!!

 

Isnt the bolt in a small pouch outside the unibody?? Anybody have pictures of what you did? i really want to finish my jeep.

 

i dont have any pics of the slice , but the bottom of the pouch on the outside of the unibody is what ya gotta slice, the nut is inside.

 

Yea i hear of peope doing that i just what to know if i should weld it back up or what because i dont have a welder but i have a place that will do it.

 

Anybody find pictures yet?