Rusted Bolt-Broken Off
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: California
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6
My little brother died from a heart attack in Dec. and I made it a point to get his '94 Cherokee Sport. All stock, dark green and rust underneath. I'm making it my mission to get this baby dirt ready and hopefully really trick it out. The only thing I've been able to do is replace the shocks with some Skyjacker Nitro's. Unfortunately the last bolt I was taking off broke. The thing was rusted in. It was one of the rear, upper mount bolts.
Anyone ever had that happen to them? I tried all sorts of ways to get it out, but no luck. I talked to a guy who has a 4wd shop and he said he could get it right for around $160. I don't really have a choice, doesn't seem like a whole lot. I hope I don't run into more bolt heads breaking.
Also, The shocks I have say they're good for 0-3" lift. What would happen if I wanted to go 4 1/2" with those shocks.
Thanks and I'll have pics as I move along.
I have 6 years to do this, then I'm gonna let my nephew take over the wheel when he turns 16.
Anyone ever had that happen to them? I tried all sorts of ways to get it out, but no luck. I talked to a guy who has a 4wd shop and he said he could get it right for around $160. I don't really have a choice, doesn't seem like a whole lot. I hope I don't run into more bolt heads breaking.
Also, The shocks I have say they're good for 0-3" lift. What would happen if I wanted to go 4 1/2" with those shocks.
Thanks and I'll have pics as I move along.
I have 6 years to do this, then I'm gonna let my nephew take over the wheel when he turns 16.

CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,603
Likes: 0
From: Hollidaysburg, PA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 lt. 242 cu.in.
Hammer an punch should get it out, Just keep hitting it. Theres no way in hell I'd pay anyone $160 to punch a bolt out and put a new one. You can get a new bolt and nut. Take the nut and tape it to the open end of a wrench and slide it through the little access way thats up there and then thread the bolt into it. I won't be able to get pics of what I'm talking about till Tuesday though.
P.S. I'm really sorry to hear about your brother. Glad to hear your keeping his memory going though!
P.S. I'm really sorry to hear about your brother. Glad to hear your keeping his memory going though!
Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Provo, UT
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 straight 6
I also wouldn't pay $160 for someone to get the bolt out. This is what I did and it worked out great
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/s...-heavy-323809/
I recommend wearing safety glasses for sure though, or you'll have rust fallin into your eyes. I had to do this to most of my shock bolts, one of them was a little stubborn but still came out eventually. I also ran a string through the bolt hole once i got it out, to the access hole, so I could just pull the new bolt with the string instead of straining to get it in other ways. Good luck.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/s...-heavy-323809/
I recommend wearing safety glasses for sure though, or you'll have rust fallin into your eyes. I had to do this to most of my shock bolts, one of them was a little stubborn but still came out eventually. I also ran a string through the bolt hole once i got it out, to the access hole, so I could just pull the new bolt with the string instead of straining to get it in other ways. Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: FENTON MICHIGAN
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
sorry about ur loss;...i did what offroadnut36 suggested and it also worked like a charm for me as well......good luck....n post ur progress....God Bless!!!!!!!!!
Junior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Cross lanes, WV
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6
same thing happened to me. I drilled it out (had to resharpen the drill bit at least 8 times because 2 broke off), and got a tap & dye kit and rethreaded the holes and got new bolts.
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 460
Likes: 2
From: Long Island NY
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Sorry abou your loss. I took over my dads XJ when he passed. I had the same problem as you with thease bolts. I first drilled a 1/8" hole stright thru the center ans best as i can then drilled that out with a 1/4" bit then used a 5/16 tap and ran that thru just one pice of advice USE PLEANTY OF LUBE when tapping go slow and easy.
Ps
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Welcome to the Forum
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: California
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6
WOW. There's so many Cherokee peeps out there! Thanks for all the good advise. I won't pay the guy 160 and I'll get that f-er out. Thanks again.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 2
From: Allentown, Pa
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Happened to me on all four upper rear shock mounts. If you have one, use an air hammer to pop the weld nut off on the other side (just punch it through the hole) then you should be able to access the other side of the hole from under the jeep. There is a triangle hole you can stick your hand in. If you're like me and can't fit your hand in the hole, drill through the small hole in the center of the shock mount. That will give you a center hole in your floor so you can cut an access hole. Any questions, just ask.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: California
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6
Thanks Kopecki, I did the air hammer trick and had it done in about an hour. Now I can drive it around, I put that off for way too long. Thanks everyone for all the great advice. I'm sure I'll need more down the road.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 2
From: Allentown, Pa
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
P.S. For the shocks, it just means they will be pretty far extended at regular stance with 4.5" of lift. You might be able to drive it on the street like that, but that's as far as I would push it.
Registered Users
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,371
Likes: 4
From: morrisonville ny
Year: 2000 @ 1994 givin away
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Always remeber if you start spraying a week in advance on nuts and bolts you want to remove spray with pb blaster or similar, and alway put never sieze on nuts and bolts they will come back and not break g/l
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