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Cutting into the unibody frame to get at a bolt with a broken head. Any pointers?

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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 05:24 PM
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Chewdog167's Avatar
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Default Cutting into the unibody frame to get at a bolt with a broken head. Any pointers?

I Chicken'd out half way into the cut, it seems like a big cut of steel at an important part in the unibody. Am I going to have any problems welding it back up? Structurally?

I've tried welding onto this bolt to no avail and I don't have a torch so I'm left with cutting into the side of the unibody. And it's the last one back where the unibody is seemed together so it is double thick. Any experience out there?
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 05:38 PM
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From: Elizabeth,Co
Year: 1988
Model: Comanche
Engine: 4.0L Inline 6
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What bolt? I did this to my crossmember

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/ho...-studs-130729/
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Old Jul 9, 2012 | 08:36 PM
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jeepsurfer1's Avatar
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From: va
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: i-6 4.0
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Also when you replace it, beef it up a bit. Why not you already have the welder out ha ha
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Old Jul 10, 2012 | 07:03 AM
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beaver's Avatar
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From: timberlea nova scotia
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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I had two stripped transmission crossmember bolts
in the frame used a cutoff tool to make a triangle hole in the side of the frame just above the crossmember.Just big enough to fit a wrench and nut .Replaced the nut and bolt with grade 8 hardware no cracking from hole has happen
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Old Jul 10, 2012 | 07:22 AM
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Lowrange2's Avatar
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From: +34° 25' 35.67", -81° 21' 12.04"
Year: 1993
Engine: 4.0
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You didn't fill the hole back in?
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Old Jul 11, 2012 | 06:52 AM
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Its a hole in progress.. A triangle, I shoulda thought of that.. And yes it is the last bolt back from the front on the cross member. PITA

Thanks for all the feed back, I'm away with work here but as soon as I'm back I'll finish cutting my hole. I figure the nut should be fine. So it's a matter of vise grips and some more PB Blaster and she should come out.
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Old Jul 11, 2012 | 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Chewdog167
Its a hole in progress.. A triangle, I shoulda thought of that.. And yes it is the last bolt back from the front on the cross member. PITA

Thanks for all the feed back, I'm away with work here but as soon as I'm back I'll finish cutting my hole. I figure the nut should be fine. So it's a matter of vise grips and some more PB Blaster and she should come out.
Good luck bro, i broke all 4 crossmember bolts. Drilling hardened steel is no fun but it happend. Then i broke off 2 easy outs, those where a major pita to drill out. I didnt have a welder at the time (and still dont) but the crossmember got bolted back up curtesy of some big ol grade 8's and hasnt budged in 5 or so yrs.
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Old Jul 12, 2012 | 12:49 PM
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From: Ireland
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O
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I just went in from the top. All four broke so a major PITA. Pull carpet and there's a gromit right there above the studs. Take's about 30seconds to widen the hole out and then you can just break the welded nut free with a socket and run a bolt through the whole thing. Think the seats needed unbolted too but it was pretty easy/quick. Personally I wouldn't be keen on cutting the heavy box section but no big deal I suppose.

Last edited by Coog; Jul 12, 2012 at 12:51 PM.
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