Steering box to frame reinforcement idea

[Jeep&dogs]

If you were to build a plate that contours the outside of the frame and attach the gussets to that plate, you could then enlarge the holes on the outside portion of the frame only, then install the plate. The gussets would bottom out in the inside of the frame and when you bolt through the outer plate you would basically have what was on the older Jeeps. No welding involved

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[D60]

The issue I see is if you weld on a frame you will void your warranty if noticed. I think the answer is a expanding sleeve that will go into the OEM holes and with new bolts that when installed spread the sleeve out. Once it is tightened you now have a sleeve in place with no welding needed. My JLURD is due to arrive within the next few weeks. I will play with the idea. Designing it should not be hard at all once I know the diameters of all the components involved.

Yeeeaahhh....too late

And life's too short to live in fear of this or COVID-19. I've got real things to worry about.

That said, I agree there's more than one way to skin a cat, and I'm not opposed to any approach here that works. I will not, however, refrain from welding on my rig. That's like buying a house and not putting a few holes in the walls to hang pictures

 

[jdhunt0]

I have not taken a look at my own Jeep, but I would not think the existing holes would be large enough to sleeve and still use the original size bolts. Something to look at though.

 

[D60]

I have not taken a look at my own Jeep, but I would not think the existing holes would be large enough to sleeve and still use the original size bolts. Something to look at though.

Google search: "drill bit"

 

[b1er]

Google search: "drill bit"

 

[AnnDee4444]

Fill the frame rail with cement

"Structural foam" is a somewhat common preventative fix for the rear subframes on E46 BMWs.

Also:

 

[Jeep&dogs]

"Structural foam" is a somewhat common preventative fix for the rear subframes on E46 BMWs.

Also:

Funny thing about they is I am actually a BMW certified structural tech and I happen to have access to some structural foam!

 

[2020 Diesel JL]

Fill the frame rail with cement

Brillant

 

[2020 Diesel JL]

Yeeeaahhh....too late

And life's too short to live in fear of this or COVID-19. I've got real things to worry about.

That said, I agree there's more than one way to skin a cat, and I'm not opposed to any approach here that works. I will not, however, refrain from welding on my rig. That's like buying a house and not putting a few holes in the walls to hang pictures

Your kidding right? Wow, This thread has to many --- for me. I am out. Good luck with your fix.

 

[Arrowhead]

I'm not going to buy the Synergy brace as mine is dramatically better than it was with the Rusty's piece I have... I just want to reinforce the frame in that area... I've even considered a drilled 1/4 plate with sleeves welded to it installed between the box and frame and then welded to the frame on both the inner and outer... that would give a larger, thicker mount on the inside and tie both sides together... just weld in the perimeter of the plate on the inside and the sleeves on the outside... I'm lifted on 38's so all it would do is shorten my drag link a little... but I haven't looked to see if that 1/4 inch would put it closer to anything else engine wise or if the extra misalignment would dick with the steering shaft...

I see why no one pushes a real fix when the options are PSC or Redneck Ram... too much money to be made...

I installed the Synergy brace today. I remembered reading this post last week and looked to see and sure enough my frame is sleeved. '18 Sport 2dr

 

[b1er]

maybe mines not... that may explain why it's always been crap... My JLUR is a June 18 build, my wife's Sport is a Dec 17 build... I haven't had hers apart and it drives perfectly (lifted on 37's)... I wonder if it's a "design change" or maybe I'm full of shit and just missed it... I can always go pull a bolt and see... I'll go do that tomorrow morning and make sure I'm not crazy... I'll try to pull one from the wife's also and see if hers is or not...

 

[D60]

Yeah, I'm curious, too. I really want to tear into my '19 (although I have no complaints with my steering).

I was going off info in this thread and honestly from the vids posted I just couldn't quite tell.

If all the frames are sleeved then the mystery remains: what makes a steering box gap from the frame under load? Again, it's almost surely gotta be framerail deflection or bolts made of the elastic from our boxers and briefs (the latter of which is implausible).

I mean we're talking about four decently sized (12mm at least?) graded bolts here, those don't just stretch and return to shape, something else is going on.

I really want to play with my JL on the lift (and check deflection on the ground as well as see if I can cram a feeler gage of any thickness between the box and frame as my gf turns the wheel on the shop floor) but I'm grateful to have several purchase orders right now, so I'm concentrating on paying work while I've got it.

edit: STEP ONE: get underwear. STEP TWO: make money!!

 

[b1er]

I was wrong. I missed it. I’m sorry for misleading y’all thinking the frame wasn’t sleeved because I failed to see the sleeves in mine. I apologize.

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