Roxtar
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- NW Indiana-Chicago area
So, I'm in the middle of a bumper install on a nice '01 XJ. I'm putting on the side frame plates when the 3rd steering box bolt breaks off. This is a grade 8 bolt on a 3 year old vehicle that I broke with a standard size 3/8" drive ratchet without working up a sweat. When I pulled the steering box to the side I see that the corrosion caused by the aluminum spacer mating to the steel bolt ate away a good portion of the bolt. The spacer, meanwhile, had broken apart and was valiantly attempting to become one with the broken off stud. It took a 2 foot pipe wrench to free it's grasp on said bolt.
What the hell was Jeep thinking using an aluminum spacer in this application. Not only is aluminum very susceptable to crushing but whenever you mate it to steel and add water you get corrosion, lots of corrosion. Corrosion that eats away steel bolts and make them break easily. Corrosion that seriously f***s up my day.
Thanks, I feel better now.
What the hell was Jeep thinking using an aluminum spacer in this application. Not only is aluminum very susceptable to crushing but whenever you mate it to steel and add water you get corrosion, lots of corrosion. Corrosion that eats away steel bolts and make them break easily. Corrosion that seriously f***s up my day.
Thanks, I feel better now.