Muddz

Passenger side lower control arm bracket is broken.

I found a Crown Automotive 52088654BR which is suppose to be a heavy duty version. I only have a 2.5 inch OME lift and don't get into extreme terrain while off-road.

I'm wondering if I should also replace the driver's side? Unless someone loans me a welder, I'm going to have to pay to have it welded on.

fb97xj1

If theres nothing wrong with the other side, and its the same as the one youre getting, leave it.

If it aint broke, dont break it. Unless you want to fix it.

Muddz

The one I'm getting appears to be heavier duty with additional support.

Described as 3/16" think I seen some at higher cost that are described as 1/4" and other 1/4 & 3/16"

The stock ones are thinner measure ~1/8" however the metal is bent at the some of the edges to provide greater strength. This is a method for manufactures to save money on mass production is place bends in the design so to strengthen a bracket using slightly thinner metal which in the long run saves manufacture lots of money on parts.

When installing the new brackets you need to mark where the original oem brackets are installed and also any angle using an angle measuring tool. It's important the new brackets are installed the same as the old ones. I have a torch and grinder but no welder. So I'll probably clean them up and at the same time marking the location of the old brackets and then bring them to a shop or someone with welder to have them welded.

Jeeps are known to have flimsy control arm brackets. However my problem is mainly with rust as after inspecting the one on the drivers side I was able to flake off large pieces of rust from the bracket. So I'm thinking it would be better to do both sides at the same time.

here's a pic of the one I'm looking at, described as heavy duty, thicker metal without any bends. Also has an additional piece of metal to provide greater strength.

EZEARL

Also need these:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cwa-6504238k

fb97xj1

I wasnt expecting that. Whenever i hear the name Crown i think OEM replacements, not that ^. Do both sides lol.

EZEARL

When I wrecked mine and had to have the right side lower bracket replaced I commented at the shop how weak I thought the OEM bracket was. Guy working on it said it's better and cheaper that the bracket gave rather than the axle tube. So I went with these:
https://www.ironrockoffroad.com/prod...-tjljxjmj.html

Thoughts or comments?

Hey Muddz I have one left if your interested.

Muddz

I went with these from an eBay seller, four-by-4 , two brackets @ $30.82 each

Description shows their 3/16" and appear are as strong as 1/4" inch as they have an addtional piece of metal welded to the main bracket, which should make it as strong as a 1/4" bracket without any addtional support.

Auction's shows the same Crown Part number as listed from other sites

52088654BR 18273.01

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ONE-Heavy-D...72.m2749.l2649

https://www.crownautomotive.net/Cont...D/RT21015.html

EZEARL

Did you find a deal on the cam bolts anywhere?

Muddz

I found some at https://www.morris4x4center.com for $7.99 each

https://www.morris4x4center.com/mopa...-34202118.html

With shipping to my zip code approx. $21.00 for two bolts.

The OEM part number and descriptions for my 98 is

34201334 BOLT, Hex Flange Head M14x2.00x110, LCA to Clevis and Axle, Mounting

The same bolt is used front and rear LCA to replace all of the LCA bolts would require a total of four bolts.

However I think depending on the year there are two lengths of OEM bolts used as some people have found the 120mm bolt to be too long

www.factorychryslerparts.com specifies either M14x2.00x110 or M14x2.0x120.

I would either first measure or look up the OEM part number for your year XJ from an OEM parts cat.

There is also an alternative from OEMs. From what I understand you don't need to use OEM size of M14 x 2 mm thread pitch.

You can use a 9/16 inch bolts which may or may not require to drill out the bushing holes a little so the bolts are able to pass through.

If using a 9/16 bolt the thread pitch won't be 2mm

2mm metric thread pitch = 12.7 per inch

TPI __ pitch in._ pitch MM
------------------------------------
12.7 _ 0.07874 _ 2.000
12 ___0.08333 _ 2.117

Some people are stating the OEM bolts are similar to a grade 8 which must be a metric class 10.9?

Grade 8 fasteners have a min. tensile strength of 150 ksi (thousands of lbs per sq in) That converts to 1,034 MPa which is roughly the strength of a Class 10.9 metric bolt.

So for my 98 I should be able to use a 9/16-12 Grade 8 bolt at least 4.75 inches in length. Find a proper length may require considering any additional washers being used with a bolt.

I found these grade 8 9/16-12 5 inch bolts on Home Depot without nuts are $2.28 each.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Crown-Bo...9728/203088408

nuts are .60 cents for a pack of two

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...7568/204604821

Plus another $1.60 cents for washers would come to $7.36 for two bolts with nuts and 4 washers.

Fastenal online prices are quoted as wholesale, so they may have a different retail price at their retail store?

M14-2.0 x 120mm DIN 931 Class 10.9 Yellow Zinc Finish Hex Cap Screw - $10.84
9/16"-12 x 5" Grade 8 Yellow Zinc Finish Hex Cap Screw - $4.53

You may also want to consider the coating of the bolt as yellow zinc coated bolts are suppose to be more rust resistant than clear and plain steel bolts. However some bolts are galvanized which can be electron-galvanized (same or similar to zinc) or hot dip galvanized which should be significantly more rust resistant.

Muddz

After talking with the welder he said that the LCA bolts would likely need to be cut out and that the bushings likely won't be any good after pulling out. So I also ordered a pair of bushings and a couple of flange nuts.

Morris 4x4 has good prices as they sell alot of Jeep hardware, more than regular auto parts stores, most likely order Jeep parts in larger volumes at better prices.

Total cost for the OEM style bolts, nuts and bushing with shipping came to $47.79

2 x Mounts - $61.64
2 x Bolts, Nuts & Bushings - $47.79 (with shipping)

The Welder is $65.00 per hour

I decided to let him cut out the old brackets and clean up the axle as he has a car lift inside a covered garage. I don't have a carport or garage and it keeps raining around here and probably won't dry up until into the summer.

So total should be around ~$175.00 perhaps a little more if it takes more than an hour.

After looking around: Morris 4x4 Center seems to have the best deal online for OEM type bolts, nuts and bushings.

I tried Napa however they list LCA rubber front bushing at $30.00 each.

Morris 4x4 has rubber LCA bushings (Omix-Ada or Crown) for ~$6.00 each.


There are other deals elsewhere, however others found had either the bolts, nuts or bushings but not all three of the items.

ohaisean

Artec axle side brackets are excellent.

Outlaw Star

If you call Morris 4x4 and tell them you are part of this forum, they give you a small discount as they are Vendors here on CF.

Muddz

Bolts, nuts and bushing won't arrive by FedEx until sometime Friday so I'll need to postpone the repair until sometime after the 4th.

There is a mechanic that works with the welder so the welder asked him if he wanted to perform the removal and cleanup of the old mounts and install the new bushings. He said yes but that often the bracket and bushings when there is alot of rust become welded together where the old bushing become problematic to be pressed out.

He said it may be less expensive in the long run to purchase two used or new LCAs (that come with bushing installed) instead of pressing out the old bushings. He said the LCAs potentially can become damaged when the bushings become stubborn to remove. To the point where the bolt and bushings may require to be burned out with a torch, potentially damaging the lcas.

Anyway on his advice I'm going to look for a pair of used or new LCAs with bushings installed. Good used ones can sometimes be found at a wrecking yard where all the hardware and bushing are still in good shape.

This XJ does have excessive rust in certain areas. Especially in areas around the suspension due to alot of rain, salt and water. It's been driven on an ocean beach quite a bit. I probably should have it steamed cleaned and given a new undercoat.
____

Found a set of 4 new control arms 2 x LCAs and 2 x UCAs, for $70.00, however I don't think new uppers are required.

Prime Choice Auto Parts CAK696638K Set of Upper and Lower Control Arms

Have no idea if there junk and how they compare to OEMs which are sometimes replaced because there too fragile for off-road.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Front-S....c100005.m1851


-------------------------

Also found a pair of front LCAs

EMUSA JP8406FLFRX2 Pair 2 x - US $38.99 (free shipping

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-PAIR-FRON...kAAOSwyWZZVdyl

Rock Auto has several LCA's however I'm uncertain of the brands, price and quality. Plus shipping is an additional ~$10.00 to ~15.00

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...trol+arm,10401

MOOG CK660203 2 x $67.97 with shipping.

I'm uncertain of the quality if getting well know name brand such as Moog, etc. is worth the additional expense?

Muddz

Found what appears to be a Pair of Moog LCAs for $45.84 with free shipping.

P/N 2-RK660203 (appears to be the same as Moog CK660203)
Comes with a 5 year warranty.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pair-Of-2-F...JaoBK5&vxp=mtr

* It appears I'll have an additional new pair of LCA bushings. Contact if interested I'll sell the pair for $12.00 plus USPS shipping least expensive method.

Omix-Ada Lower Control Arm Bushing (Front or Rear Lower)

Suspension Control Arm Bushing, Lower; 84-01 Jeep Cherokee XJ
SKU: 18280.06

Muddz

After some more research I found that there are two different lines of Moog Suspension parts.

CK and K are Moogs Premium line of control arms.

The RK series is a more value driven part

I purchased what I thought was a Premium Lower control arm from an ebay seller who had them listed with a p/n of 2-RK660203 however after e-mailing I found the control arms are made by TVA and are similar to Moog Economy control arms. They do have a 5 year warranty and are listed as premium, however there not the same as Moog Premium control arms.

I'm trying to cancel the order but it may be too late and end up with the same quality as Moog Economy control arms.

Rock auto has premium Moog Control arms where the cost is a few dollars less than the economy version.

MOOG RK660203 economy version $31.79

MOOG CK660203 Control Arm (premium version)
$ 28.99 $ 0.00 2 $ 57.98
Discount $ -2.90
Shipping Ground $ 9.99
Order Total $ 65.07

So when shopping for Moog look for the K or CK designation as I think the RK series is a similar quality to many of aftermarkets.