I was attempting to remove leaf spring but the drivers side front nut broke from the weld. I grinded the bolt off so the spring is out but now the nut and part of the bolt are stuck in the perch. should i hole saw threw the frame to get it out and put a new bolt on? I don't know anyone that welds. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

I had no such problem with mine but you can PM XJStryker he is the expert as both his Jeeps had that problem. Good Luck.

 

Try to get the bolt and hardware out of the frame rail. Drill a hole that matches the OD of the bolt of the bolt that goes through the leaf. Cut a small rectangle in the "frame" where the hardware used to live. Only needs to be big enough to get a wrench, nut, washers, etc... through. Find the right length of grade 8 bolt and nut, with a couple of washers inside the nut for support and on the out side as well. We had to do this on my buddies XJ about a year ago, and it has held with no problems what so ever, and his right foot has a high lead content!! Just check the bolt from time to time to make sure it's tight. You can't patch the hole, as you need to be able to access it to tighten the bolt. Be sure and throw some paint on it after the job is done to keep the rust bunnies away!! I wouldn't worry about welding it because if it strips out you're right back where you started!! Hope this helps!! Later!!

 

cosxjfan are you saying to enlarge the hole from the front where the bolt goes through to get the nut out or from behind where the brake and gas lines run?

 

This is what I did...

 

Took him half a day to check in but this guy above^^^^ is the one I was sure had your solution. Thanks Kid Stryker!!

 

X2, then you can put a fresh nut and bolt in. Should be fine when you're done!! Funny, we didn't take any pics, but that is exactly what his looked like!! Go figure!! Stryker, did you leave yours open?? Just curious, thanks!!

 

Here is what I did on mine. I did end up leaving mine open and if the other side does this at some point, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Try to make it a little cleaner than Stryker (no offense) Something more like this.



That way if you do end up welding it back up then it will penetrate more even. Also I have seen a thread somewhere on NAXJA where a guy cut a square out of the center part where the bolt would be and fabbed up his own welded nut on the inside and welded the square back in the center.

 

I have this exact same problem right now. But I am a little bit confuse by the picture. On the inside hole is that just a hole or a new nut welded there?

 

Looks like he cut a hole in the side of the bracket.

 

K I have the hole cut in the bracket and everything is out to where I can put a fresh bolt and nut in...the problem I have is that the holes are pretty seriously wollered-out. I can't get my welder inside that bracket to weld a big washer there or something....any ideas? Thanx for any help!!

 

weld a tag to the washer that comes out from the bottom and bend it and weld it on the frame. Weld the nut on the washer.
Something like that:

 

K i really like that idea but are you meaning to weld the tab to the frame outside of where the nut is housed? And if so do you think this has enough strength to support everything?

 

K thanx for all the help everyone. It's back together and in better shape than before. Although I did it my own way, it was a combination of everybody's ideas that made it happen...thanx again.

 

yes because once you tighten the bolt the nut/washer won't move anymore.