JeepFlyer
08-27-2012, 09:38 PM
Two issues...
First, I had to spread the LCA and UCA brackets to get the knuckles into them, but nothing egregious. When I went to put the knuckles in, the lower two joints had about 1/8" on the insides of the bolt. At first I thought I had spread them to much, but after tightening one down I couldn't get it to close the brackets at all. I had some spacers so I figured I'd slide one in. I tried it on the next joint and it worked pretty well. So do these typically need spacers? Is there any reason I should/shouldn't use spacers to make them snug?
Second issue being the fact that I need new bolts/nuts. I probably shouldn't have tightened down the first one before I decided what I wanted to do with the spacer issue. As of now, I have a rounded off bolt cap which is cut clean off (good practice with the dremel cutoff wheel), a nut completely fused to the bolt, and a stripped 3/8" craftsman ratchet (which I can replace thankfully). So now I need another bolt. Short of calling FFR or ordering a specific part for it, what other options are there? I would like to have something less permanent, like castle nuts with cotter pins, or something else. Has anyone else swapped these out for something else/better?
Yes I know these are one-use nuts/bolts, as evidenced by me being required to cut them out. I learned my lesson, and left my dignity on the floor of the garage, along with some sweat and manhood, as well as the internal gears of my ratchet wrench.
First, I had to spread the LCA and UCA brackets to get the knuckles into them, but nothing egregious. When I went to put the knuckles in, the lower two joints had about 1/8" on the insides of the bolt. At first I thought I had spread them to much, but after tightening one down I couldn't get it to close the brackets at all. I had some spacers so I figured I'd slide one in. I tried it on the next joint and it worked pretty well. So do these typically need spacers? Is there any reason I should/shouldn't use spacers to make them snug?
Second issue being the fact that I need new bolts/nuts. I probably shouldn't have tightened down the first one before I decided what I wanted to do with the spacer issue. As of now, I have a rounded off bolt cap which is cut clean off (good practice with the dremel cutoff wheel), a nut completely fused to the bolt, and a stripped 3/8" craftsman ratchet (which I can replace thankfully). So now I need another bolt. Short of calling FFR or ordering a specific part for it, what other options are there? I would like to have something less permanent, like castle nuts with cotter pins, or something else. Has anyone else swapped these out for something else/better?
Yes I know these are one-use nuts/bolts, as evidenced by me being required to cut them out. I learned my lesson, and left my dignity on the floor of the garage, along with some sweat and manhood, as well as the internal gears of my ratchet wrench.