So mine fell victim to this known fault of all 3 steering box bolts snapping off flush with the box, leaving it detached from the frame

My son was driving at the time, and luckily the vehicle did not crash

You dont get much warning...one of mine probably snapped a couple of weeks ago, as I heard a bang and thought wtf was that

Once the triangulation of 3 bolts is lost the other 2 are in a direct line plane, and under immense stress, and break in short order

They are evidently stress weakened by flexing on the frame over the years

This was a recall matter in the '90s

No other damage, and the stubs were all very tight, with blue loctite

Its a beast of a job to get the broken ones out, and eventually required me to partially drill out the work hardened grade 8 stubs enough that I could heat and twist them out

I tried, heat and welding and other things first, but nothing else was going to work

dont kid yourself this wont happen to you, its happened to many other XJ owners, and is tremendously dangerous

just replace them asap!

7/16" UNC 14 x (4" to 4.5")

probably best to order the JCR kit with steel triangle and all hardware

I did not have that luxury, replacing the box on the side of the road was no picnic

 

Looks to be cheap insurance to me.
https://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJSTSPC.html

 

I put a brace on mine that ties it to the other side of the frame rail.

 

Greaaaat.. now I guess I better do this... Guess there's no way to tell what shape your bolts are in without trying to take them out. Which means I better have a new bracket ready..

What else is there that's a hidden disaster waiting to possibly happen? My motor and tranny mounts are good...

 

Whenever I'm under, like changing oil, etc., I always check them by snugging them up. I also check the motor mount bolts (I had the passenger side all shear off)

 

Here's how to prevent the broken motor mount bolts: https://www.cherokeetalk.com/threads...k-bolts.15700/