Was out messing around today and broke all four studs holding the right hi-steer arms completely in two. I was able to get it home (low range and granny gear) after tying my tow strap around the knuckle and pulling it tight with the winch, but man what a mess. For some reason, I tend to believe these studs were not grade 8 as I was told by the good ol boys at Napa. Thank goodness it was only 7 or 8 miles away from home when it happened.

Oh, I also assume the welded front end didn't help matters much. I think I relalized I need a Detroit for the dront. Good thing is my 1.5" solid rod for my tie rod and drag link with the 3/4" heims held up like new :D :D :D

Also, I put in some hydroboost brakes and a hydraulic clutch this weekend. MUCH nicer to drive when it's not broken :) Oh well, this is a quick fix atleast.

Grade 8 bolts are pretty easy to identify by the markings on the top. Something you can do without the help of Napa......

Originally posted by Keith
Grade 8 bolts are pretty easy to identify by the markings on the top. Something you can do without the help of Napa......

Yeah bolts are ;) But the studs aren't :( It were studs that broke and I supposed they were only grade 2 if that. The new bolts are grade 8 picked out by me :)

Sounds to me like you forgot to check how tight they were. They tend to work their way loose somehow, except mine. I welded the nuts to the top and the stud to the knuckle after I torqued them down. Didn't want to have to rail weld my crap back together like Matt Z

Sounds to me like you forgot to check how tight they were.
Agreed -- likely loosened, then failed.

I welded the nuts to the top and the stud to the knuckle after I torqued them down.
Ummm... :eek:
TIG-welded 'em to keep heat transfer down? :rolleyes: THere's no way I'd trust welded fasteners on my rig on a steering component -- if I was that paranoid about loosening them, I'd use safety wire. You'll want to keep a REAL close eye on those parts to make sure they don't break. I dont know how strong the grade 8s will be after that kind of heating and cooling cycle....

Randii

I just got a set of studs special ordered from my buddy who works at a Chebby dealership. They were $ 6 each. :eek: I couldn't find a set anywhere. I am pretty sure they are grade 8. I have been checking the bolts regularly on my arms and ALWAYS have to tighten them. This is one of those things that get checked before leaving my house or before going out on the trail. These are some seriously important bolts that might end up killing someone :nuke: ...
Get the good stufffffff

Ricky...seeya...

i got to thinking you could poassably use this (http://www.nord-lock.com/) to secure the bolts from coming loose;)

just a thouht thuo:D

Yeah they may have worked their way loose. Didn't think to tighten them for just the second trip away from the house to the local creek bed. :(

Strange thing is when I drilled them to use the extractor the bits cut through them like butter. I really don't think these studs were graded at all. So, I'm going to order new ones from Parts Mike for $39 and just keep an eye on them.

I work at Los Alamos National Laboratory...Ya' know the "bomb" birthplace?

Anyway, we get trained on counterfeit fastener components every couple of years...And BELIEVE ME that there is at least 40% on the market which are PERFECT counterfeits of grade 8 fasteners...The south Pacific and Mexico stuff is the worst. We require C of C's and CMTR's on ALL structural fasteners...And this is for pipe supports and such on non-nuke facilities...MANY of the "Grade-8" fasteners tested at approx. 20% of their "rated" strength capacity. I've had heads shear off supposed grade 5 bolts (from Home Depot)...And I did it with a 3/8's drive 8" handle...(yea I'm a big mo-fo' but!).

My advice for steering components fasteners (hell any structural fastener) is ask for a C of C (certificate of compliance) for the lot of bolt's you seek...If they look at you funny, that probably means that they bought in bulk from a "supplier" at a very good price. Caveat emptor!

Originally posted by XXXJ
i got to thinking you could poassably use this (http://www.nord-lock.com/) to secure the bolts from coming loose;)

just a thouht thuo:D

That kicks ass! Where can you find those puppies?? :D

Originally posted by Welby


That kicks ass! Where can you find those puppies?? :D

to tell you the truth






i dunno:flipoff2:
you could call a major fastner supplier or contact them personally.

tell them you are thinking about buying a whole lot of them and tell them what size you need. then you could ask them for a bunch of free samples to "test them" on your "project"heep and waaalllllaaaaaa free ones:D

but then agian that might be wrong:rolleyes: :flipoff2:

Curtis, you weren't using one of those steering arm 'lift blocks' were you?

Randii

Maybe a Republican sabatoged his steering arms :flipoff2:

Welby,

look here: www.mcmaster.com

do a search for P/N: 91074A112 and then look at the catalog page.

matt

Originally posted by jeepnmatt
Welby,

look here: www.mcmaster.com

do a search for P/N: 91074A112 and then look at the catalog page.

matt

Good find Newbie! :flipoff2:

Maybe a Republican sabatoged his steering arms

I can't believe people making cracks about republicans when all the fawkin demencrats are tryin to shut down all of our damn trails!:mad3:

Originally posted by desertCJ


I can't believe people making cracks about republicans when all the fawkin demencrats are tryin to shut down all of our damn trails!:mad3:

Wngrog's comment was over your head... So :flipoff2:

Keep it tech!

Originally posted by randii
Curtis, you weren't using one of those steering arm 'lift blocks' were you?

Randii

Since I don't know what you mean, the answer must be no :D :D

Some of the best hardware you can get is at your local Caterpillar dealer. They have black bolts & studs, along w/ the nutrs & washers, that are oil & phospherous coated. THey are rated @ grade 8, but they are actually much stronger than that.
That's all I use on my CJ.