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Broken frame advice

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Old Feb 23, 2015 | 11:31 AM
  #1  
fantij's Avatar
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Default Broken frame advice

I have a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Right where the rear track bar meets the frame , it rusted off the frame. So my rear track bar isn't attached to frame. The bracket and bar is still good just that portion of unibody rusted. Any advice how to weld it properly back into place ?? Thanks !
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Old Feb 23, 2015 | 12:06 PM
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From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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Welcome to CF!

I'm afraid you're going to have to start looking for another jeep. My '97 ripped out a lower control arm and after welding 100 lbs of steel into it to fix it, NY wouldn't pass it on inspection. The inspector showed me several other spots where the control arm mounts and frame kick-up in the front had holes in it. The report said "Major structural deterioration." I sold it to a kid that was just going to drive it around his farm. I doubt it lasted very long with the off-road pounding.

Last edited by dave1123; Feb 23, 2015 at 12:09 PM.
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Old Feb 23, 2015 | 12:11 PM
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From: Hickory, NC
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
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^^^ I would agree.

Even if it passes your states inspection (if they have one), it's only a matter of time until something even worse decides to break due to the rust.
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Old Feb 23, 2015 | 12:20 PM
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From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
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Yeah, mine was a heart breaker because I had a lot of new parts in it and the engine and tranny were perfect. I had just put new tires on it as well and they wouldn't fit my WJ.
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Old Feb 23, 2015 | 04:16 PM
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Ok. Thanks for the advice guys!
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Old Feb 24, 2015 | 01:21 PM
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From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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That is the reason why on the XJ section anytime someone is looking to buy one is to look underneath for rust its the one big issue that can't be corrected a lot of the time.
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Old Feb 28, 2015 | 07:14 PM
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Red River T's Avatar
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From: Red River Valley
Year: 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I-6
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Originally Posted by fantij
I have a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. Right where the rear track bar meets the frame , it rusted off the frame. So my rear track bar isn't attached to frame. The bracket and bar is still good just that portion of unibody rusted. Any advice how to weld it properly back into place ?? Thanks !
Where are you, and describe the Jeep more fully, i.e., engine, 2 or 4WD, color, general condition, etc. Someone may want it as a parts donor.

I would think it could be fixed, but the amount of trouble you would have to go through to do it suitably might be too much. I mean, you CAN weld a new sub-frame section in it, but there is likely a lot of stuff that would have to come off first. I don't know if it is possible to patch/repair the existing frame. Do you have inspections where you are?
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