front lower control arm bolts

[mingoglia]

Does anyone know the correct size of a suitable replacement? I'm hacking off my old brackery tomorrow afternoon and welding on new stuff and want to replace the bolts in the front. I'd prefer to buy these bolts before removing the existing. :D

Mike

[SavageSun4x4]

Does anyone know the correct size of a suitable replacement? I'm hacking off my old brackery tomorrow afternoon and welding on new stuff and want to replace the bolts in the front. I'd prefer to buy these bolts before removing the existing. :D

Mike
BOLT, Hex Flange Head, M14x2.0x105, LCA to Frame, Mounting

BOLT, Hex Head, M14 x 2.00 x 111.6, LCA to Axle, Mounting

SOURCE: Mopar 1998 Jeep TJ Parts Catalog

I have the Mopar parts catalog for most Jeeps 1981 - 2005

Caster can be adjusted by installing cam bolts and rotating the cams on the lower suspension control arm. You can pick up the cam bolts at the Jeep dealership if you don't have adjustable control arms.

[xFallen]

Does anyone know the correct size of a suitable replacement? I'm hacking off my old brackery tomorrow afternoon and welding on new stuff and want to replace the bolts in the front. I'd prefer to buy these bolts before removing the existing. :D

Mike

14mm x 110mm for the LCA at the axle, everywhere else it should be 100 mm. The finer thread bolts (1.5 pitch in JIS) are generally stronger. You may forgo caster adjustment but you may not have had it anyway -- some years do not. No issue if you have adjustable LCAs.

A tip: 9/16" fits slightly snugger and depending on CAs may offer a more precise fit.

Use washers and some sort of locking nut, preferably not a nylock.


Barry

[DesertX04]

Use washers and some sort of locking nut, preferably not a nylock.


Barry

What's the reasoning for nylock not being desireable?

[SavageSun4x4]

Mike, sorry I forgot some info:

SOURCE: Mopar 1998 Jeep TJ Parts Catalog

I have the Mopar parts catalog for most Jeeps 1981 - 2005

Caster can be adjusted by installing cam bolts and rotating the cams on the lower suspension control arm. You can pick up the cam bolts at the Jeep dealership if you don't have adjustable control arms.

again:
BOLT, Hex Flange Head, M14x2.0x105, LCA to Frame, Mounting

BOLT, Hex Head, M14 x 2.00 x 111.6, LCA to Axle, Mounting

[RokNRich]

If I was going to replace them, I would find the best bolts that you can, make sure they fit tight for your application, etc.

Busting a control arm bolt puts a quick end to the days fun.

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n275/roknrich/DSC02075.jpg

[Renob]

If I was going to replace them, I would find the best bolts that you can, make sure they fit tight for your application, etc.

Busting a control arm bolt puts a quick end to the days fun.
Agreed but if you always carry replacements, this will not be such a bummer.

[mingoglia]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I think I have some bolts already, have to check the spares bag... but I'll get some new ones just for the heck of it. Afterall, they're new in the back.

I haven't replaced them already because I do have the caster bolts. I've always thought it was regretable that they got rid of these because these at their maximum setting are perfect for a 4" lift IMHO. My Jeep drives better than any Jeep (stock or not) that I've driven... well, perhaps a bit bouncier.

Unfortunately since my stock mounts are toast I'll be switching to standard bolts as my replacement brackets will not work with the cam bolts.

Mike

[jeepin_in_az]

I have all the stock ones sitting around if you want them...

[xFallen]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I think I have some bolts already, have to check the spares bag... but I'll get some new ones just for the heck of it. Afterall, they're new in the back.

I haven't replaced them already because I do have the caster bolts. I've always thought it was regretable that they got rid of these because these at their maximum setting are perfect for a 4" lift IMHO. My Jeep drives better than any Jeep (stock or not) that I've driven... well, perhaps a bit bouncier.

Unfortunately since my stock mounts are toast I'll be switching to standard bolts as my replacement brackets will not work with the cam bolts.

Mike


Good call. 4" should be plenty long but you'll figure that out depending on number of washers. The parts book lengths are not accurate for all years as noted from first hand experience.

The stock bolts are also often necked down causing too much slop in the fitment of the CAs and should generally not be used for after market control arms. I say often because some from the dealer are not necked down. Get them from somewhere that carries grade 8 or JIS equivalent hardware and not the dealership.


Barry

[JamesT]

I have all the stock ones sitting around if you want them...

X2 (from my TJ)

[SavageSun4x4]

Right before I put new bushings in my CAs I took the different sizes down to ACE Hw and searched around until I found the largest size of G8 bolt that would fit and was of the proper length...worked for me.

[mingoglia]

Well I ended up not doing this project as I had to move a Tacoma from gilbert to surprise today (on a rented uhaul auto transport). My buddy Brian was with me (it was his truck and we were towing it there to get some work done on it). Right when we were passing the street he shouts, "there's the street". I get on the brakes relatively good and the tire straps somehow slip off the wheels and the whole truck jumps the trailer. The front wheels are now on the ground with the rest of the truck being suspended just behind the front wheels by the rame. The truck jumped forward enough for the front of the truck to clear the trailer tongue jack without damaging it (and the tongue jack was resting in the engine compartment and stopped right before taking out the surge brakes. It's amazing absolutely zero was damaged in this stunt. ;). To get the truck back on the trailer the right way we had to lift the truck up about 2' to clear the tongue jack and push it backwards... ;)

...to be continued...

Mike

[Wayco]

Well I ended up not doing this project as I had to move a Tacoma from gilbert to surprise today (on a rented uhaul auto transport). My buddy Brian was with me (it was his truck and we were towing it there to get some work done on it). Right when we were passing the street he shouts, "there's the street". I get on the brakes relatively good and the tire straps somehow slip off the wheels and the whole truck jumps the trailer. The front wheels are now on the ground with the rest of the truck being suspended just behind the front wheels by the rame. The truck jumped forward enough for the front of the truck to clear the trailer tongue jack without damaging it (and the tongue jack was resting in the engine compartment and stopped right before taking out the surge brakes. It's amazing absolutely zero was damaged in this stunt. ;). To get the truck back on the trailer the right way we had to lift the truck up about 2' to clear the tongue jack and push it backwards... ;)

...to be continued...

Mike

This post is worthless without pic's. Jeez Mike, sounds like a Three Stooges flic!

[Renob]

My buddy Brian was with me. Right when we were passing the street he shouts, "there's the street".When this happens to me, I usually punch the shouter in the head, go around the block, punch the shouter in the head again and then turn down the correct street, as I now know where it is.

[mingoglia]

This post is worthless without pic's. Jeez Mike, sounds like a Three Stooges flic!

The guy we were bringing his truck to brought his camera so I should have pics shortly. Here's the conclusion.

That guy brought a highlift. I started highlifting the truck when plan B and C were already coming together. He had said he had a cherry picker and his house was literally 150 yards away. Just as we were talking about that some guy came up in a Honda Accord and said he had a tow truck that we could use the skid of and a chain to lift the front up. He ran home and got his truck.

I unhooked the trailer from my truck. The guy with the tow truck came and put down that laveling foot thing he had on his truck on the tongue of the trailer. Then he lowered his flat bed. Hooked up some chain. That foot thing kept the trailer front down, he raised his skid and lifted the truck. We took off the e-brake and put it in neutral and the guy with the tow truck eased the truck back on to the trailer.

All and all we were probably back on the road in 40 minutes. This could have turned into a pretty fun night but things (after the fact) actually came together quickly and actually worked.

I still can't believe how the truck launched itself over the trailer tongue jack, the jack landed in the engine compartment without breaking anything and came to rest on the frame right before taking out the hydraulic booster on the trailer surge brakes. Oh yeah, we had the insurance on the trailer but since the only thing that came in contact with the truck frame was the front of the trailer skid where the tires butt up to the trailer there was absolutely zero damage.

Mike