Broken bolt

[Mr. Black]

Was driving home from work (4am) doing about 65mph. Heard a somewhat pop/snapping sound. Then lost most all of my steering. Managed to slow down the XJ and get it to the side of the road. Got out and looked underneath to see that my track bar bolt on the axle end had snapped in two. Hate when that happens and all my tools and spare junk is at home. So to get me home I had to improvise with what I had with me. So, I forced the track bar back into location, and took off my belt. Broke off my buckle and straightened it enough to stick it through the bolt hole and then tied the belt around the track bar and axle in a way to keep it secured if/when the buckle fell out of the bolt hole. Drove the remaining 15 miles home doing about 25-30mph. Steering worked but was still severly handicapped. To make a right turn from near my house it actually took about 5 times of backing up and turning again and again.

XJ is home safe, bolt replaced, and the only thing harmed in this event was my cheap belt buckle and belt. :D

[xxmidianxx]

I am sure you would be good to have around for trail repairs... don't know if I would trust them too much though.... LOL

[Mr. Black]

Haha, it just had to get me home, and it did the trick. I had nothing else in the Jeep that would have done it, and at 4am, I didn't want to call and wake the wife and kids so that the wife could bring me my toolbox and a jar of misc. bolts. She wouldn't have been to happy.

[Big_JermsXJ]

I didn't think mcguyver had a wife and kids???

[Mr. Black]

No Mcguyver here. :laugh:

[msrorysddad]

good thinkin Mr.

[MischiefMan]

She wouldn't have been to happy.

They just never seem to understand do they?

[bluejeepkid]

Was driving home from work (4am) doing about 65mph. Heard a somewhat pop/snapping sound. Then lost most all of my steering. Managed to slow down the XJ and get it to the side of the road. Got out and looked underneath to see that my track bar bolt on the axle end had snapped in two. Hate when that happens and all my tools and spare junk is at home. So to get me home I had to improvise with what I had with me. So, I forced the track bar back into location, and took off my belt. Broke off my buckle and straightened it enough to stick it through the bolt hole and then tied the belt around the track bar and axle in a way to keep it secured if/when the buckle fell out of the bolt hole. Drove the remaining 15 miles home doing about 25-30mph. Steering worked but was still severly handicapped. To make a right turn from near my house it actually took about 5 times of backing up and turning again and again.

XJ is home safe, bolt replaced, and the only thing harmed in this event was my cheap belt buckle and belt. :D


does anyone see a new season of mcgyver starting??

[Mr. Black]

They just never seem to understand do they?

No, not really. She keeps telling me that the XJ isn't safe. Then she tried to use this against me. But no matter what, it still gets me home.

[xxmidianxx]

My wife doesn't understand why I work on my XJ so much. Its so things like this won't happen.

By it was a lil harder to justify the lower control arm skid plates I fab-ed up this weekend.

[MischiefMan]

No, not really. She keeps telling me that the XJ isn't safe.

Funny, Jennifer keeps trying to put me into XJ's and situations that are unsafe. I wonder if there is some hidden message there? :dunno:

[Mr. Black]

Might be Ian,you might want to watch yourself. :laugh:

My son has a field trip tomorrow. Since I work nights, I voluntered to go along and help, and drive a couple of the kids (private preschool, no buses). My wife is trying to get me to take her car instead of the XJ. My son wants me to drive the XJ so his friends can see and ride in it.

[MischiefMan]

Take the XJ.

Tell your wife that it has a greater chance at being a more educational experience. They potentially have the opportunity to witness the necessity of learning math and logical thought processes, mechanical engineering and mechanics in general, first aid and emergency response.

Oh, and let's not forget that they may also be afforded the opportunity to ride in an ambulance, and that it might be a religious experience.

The little tikes may get the opportunity to expand their vocabulary and communication skills also.

And possibly most important to your wife is that your son may be allowed to witness the seldom seen groveling before the wife as you're beginning for forgiveness amidst a sea of "I told you so's!" This is a great skill for any male to learn to execute properly, and at a young age is when he will have the best chance to learn it. Otherwise your son risks the chance of ending up like Brandon and never learning when it is best to just stop and tell the missus that she is correct!

[Big_JermsXJ]

fold down the back seat, teach them how to jeep surf.

[xxmidianxx]

So what are you saying Ian? Do we need to just get Katy a whip or cat-n-nine tails?

[MischiefMan]

I'm going to withhold ALL comments on that one Kurt!!!

well, maybe a cattle prod

[Mr. Black]

I took the more direct approach. I told her I'm only driving a Jeep, so its either the XJ or the TJ...

[xxmidianxx]

I took the more direct approach. I told her I'm only driving a Jeep, so its either the XJ or the TJ...

Spoken like a true "cat" whipped man. :laugh:

[Mr. Black]

Well, it worked. I'm leaving in about 30 min, and I'm taking the XJ. She went to work in her Rodeo (which she wanted me to take instead of the XJ).