DQ probably, but what is this part called? Common sense would indicate it is part of the front suspension, but I couldn't match it up with pics from the parts manual. It looks pretty important but is so rusty it sheds huge flakes to the touch. Thanks for any assist

 

Looks like the bracket for your trac bar ? Time for an aftermarket trac bar and may it be double shear .

 

Thanks and (sorry again) but what does " double shear" mean? Not dumb here, just a blank slate

 

I cant post the google results . Soo google double and single shear the pics will show you .

 

Will do and thanks again. I'm guessing it's yet another part the xj is not going to readily let go of (although the part of the frame it's actually mounted on doesn't look too bad)

 

Do you think you could post a little bit poorer quality picture? This one is too easy to ser

 

A picture from further away with more showing would help. There is something odd there, that red steel plate.

 

Do you have an RHD XJ? Or is the image somehow mirrored?

Anyway. The red part is the frame. Giant rusty blob is the bracket that holds the track bar, which exits out the bottom left of the pic. The track bar (sometimes panhard rod) serves to keep the front axle from flopping around side-to-side. It is very important on a steer axle. Above the track bar bracket is the steering gear box. In the background before the tire is the anti-sway bar end link. The anti-sway bar limits body roll when cornering, and these little links connect the axle to it.

Looks like your XJ is stock. There is no double-shear track bar I'm aware of for stock height, nor is it remotely required.

This may help you out (LHD)

 

The red part looked 1/4" thick. I see now that it is a bend instead.

 

Sorry about the pic...I was actually focusing on the rust but SALAD nailed it in his explanation. Thanks btw for the great info and pic help! I simply didn't know what to call the part for purposes of finding a replacement.

 

....and actually it caught my attention bc I was cleaning off steering box area trying to find where it is leaking

 

I totally understand why you'd be apprehensive about that but that's pretty mild surface rust on the track bar bracket. Wire wheel the gritty parts off, hit it with a good rust converter, some rust primer and paint, then soak the inside and inaccessible bits with an oil-based inhibitor. Should get you for a good while.

 

Got it! Thanks!