Sway bar bracket bolt broke

[FiNorman]

I was starting to put together some of the suspension back onto my frame when I noticed that I hadn't taken the sway bar brackets off. I also noticed that the driver side did not have the bolt that went horizontally through the frame, or the bolt that went in vertically and to the rear of the frame.
As I started to take off the passénger side the rear vertical bolt broke the head, leaving the piece still threaded inside.
I tried removing it but it seems that there is a nut inside the frame which spins and doesn't appear to have access to it (I actually was able to see it with a fiber optic camera.
Should I leave this alone? try to drill it out (but how do I get a nut back on with no access?
I went through my stainless steel bolt kit and found some similar bolts that I won't be using, I'm not sure how to tighten it down other than torqueing it as deep as it will go. In fact one bag is labeled "brace rod"... are these the bolts I'm supposed to be using to attach the sway bar to the bracket?

 

[FiNorman]

as a follow on, I noticed my frame has a nut welded on to the underside. I think through the hole where the steering box goes. Am I missing something? can I just remove this or can you think of a reason the PO did this modification?
thanks in advance.
Frank

 

[73CJ]

The nut does look added.

You have a large hole behind the nut. Make a nut plate, weld nut to a 3" strip and feed it through the hole. That's how I did mine.

 

[rr41mag]

The nut does look added.

You have a large hole behind the nut. Make a nut plate, weld nut to a 3" strip and feed it through the hole. That's how I did mine.

X2!

 

[FiNorman]

The nut does look added.

You have a large hole behind the nut. Make a nut plate, weld nut to a 3" strip and feed it through the hole. That's how I did mine.

Just so I understand this correctly..... below is a picture of a nut plate.... I weld to the nut to the plate and the plate to the hole in the frame that was created when I removed the nut that was placed there by the PO...then the bolt to my steering bracket threads through that nut? I haven't picked out what after market bracket I will use (but likely a MORE), do you have any thoughts on the size nut I should use?
thanks again

 

[Torxhead]

FiNorman, Why that welded nut is there is beyond me. The M.O.R.E. steering box mount has (3) 7/16-14 prethreaded holes on it that mount to the frame. This requires you to drill another clearance hole for it, marking its location after assembly:
Mountain Off-Road SB7686Z - M.O.R.E. Heavy Duty Steering Box Mount for 76-86 Jeep CJ-5, CJ-7 & CJ-8 Scrambler - Quadratec
This would require you to also remove that added on nut. It is quite a stout bracket btw, I would also recommend installing the steering bow brace also.

 

[timjones71]

you guys sound like you may know this question about same bracket:

I realize this is an old thread but had a comment/question. On the sway bar frame bracket, (cast steel), I noticed there are 2 round recesses in the bracket where the bottom 3/8” bolts go. This looks like it’s for bushings. Mine are gone and I’m doing a frame off restomod. Any idea where to buy or what they look like. I can make them if I had something to copy. Any help appreciated. 1st post new member.

 

[Jimbocker]

you guys sound like you may know this question about same bracket:

I realize this is an old thread but had a comment/question. On the sway bar frame bracket, (cast steel), I noticed there are 2 round recesses in the bracket where the bottom 3/8” bolts go. This looks like it’s for bushings. Mine are gone and I’m doing a frame off restomod. Any idea where to buy or what they look like. I can make them if I had something to copy. Any help appreciated. 1st post new member.

Hey Tim,

If you're referring to the recesses on the frame side of the bottom of the bracket, I believe they are clearances for the threaded inserts. On my '77 the inserts have a slight flange that sticks out from the frame. I recently stripped one of them out and plan to replace it with a knurled rivet nut. Here's a picture of my bracket, complete with stripped out insert. You can see it on the bolt farthest away. The other two bolts are just stuck in their holes so I don't lose them. You can sorta see the flange on the insert.

Jeff

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

 

[timjones71]

I believe there is more to it than that. The hole is huge. It is way bigger than a 3/8” bolt needs. I saw another picture on the post above which appeared to show a sleeved bushing. The sleeve would make since to take up the slop in the oversized hole. I just can’t find anyone with something like this.

 

[hagar]

 

[hagar]

Nothing fancy. Probably just pipe cut to length.
The Jeep part number for those spacers is: 5356958

 

[timjones71]

Thanks. You are right those recesses in the bracket are to clear out for the welded protrusions around that frame nut. I just couldn’t understand why the 3/8 bolt hole was so large. I ended up pressing a hardened Washer into the oversized hole to help center up the bracket on the threaded insert. This diagram will also help me put the rest together, after I blow off all the dust and cobwebs. Thanks again. 🕸