Front Axle Control Arm Housing

[nfaust1257]

2000 Jeep TJ Sahara 4.0L, stock front axle and I believe stock control arms.

I’m in the middle of replacing all four front control arms. Everything was going smoothly until I got to the passenger-side lower control arm mount on the axle. The bracket/housing is bent badly enough that the bolt will not come out, and it’s clear the new control arm will not fit correctly either.

(Photos attached — passenger side first, driver side second for comparison.)

At this point I’m looking for advice on:

• Best way to remove the stuck control arm/bolt
• Whether this bracket can realistically be straightened
• Or if the mount should be cut off and replaced

I’m assuming welding may be required. Unfortunately I don’t weld, so ideally I’d like to take the axle to a reputable shop that can handle suspension/axle fabrication work properly.

The axle is already removed from the Jeep, so I can easily drop it off anywhere around the Cleveland, Ohio area.

Dealerships don’t seem interested in touching it, and I’m still waiting to hear back from a few local shops.

Any recommendations or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[Rickstar321]

Cut'em off and put some Barnes 4x4 TJ brackets on there... Much beefier.

 

[Moglocker]

Cut'em off and put some Barnes 4x4 TJ brackets on there... Much beefier.

Either that or dolly them back straight and weld on son Currie -jks skids to the front.

 

[nfaust1257]

Cut'em off and put some Barnes 4x4 TJ brackets on there... Much beefier.

Thanks for the advice.... Looks like Barnes is sold out. Ill find some other ones.


https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-tj-lj-mj-xj-and-zj-front-axle-lower-control-arm-brackets

 

[Ashim]

Thanks for the advice.... Looks like Barnes is sold out. Ill find some other ones.


https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-tj-lj-mj-xj-and-zj-front-axle-lower-control-arm-brackets

Don't know where you're located in Cleveland, but Wrangler Specialties in Amherst, Ohio could take care of it for you.

 

[GATORB8]

Thanks for the advice.... Looks like Barnes is sold out. Ill find some other ones.


https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-tj-lj-mj-xj-and-zj-front-axle-lower-control-arm-brackets

Call them, may just be a couple day delay.

 

[mrblaine]

Buncha fucking wizards in here because I still can't see enough deformation of that LCA mount to prevent removal of the arm.

 

[mrblaine]

Thanks for the advice.... Looks like Barnes is sold out. Ill find some other ones.


https://barnes4wd.com/products/jeep-tj-lj-mj-xj-and-zj-front-axle-lower-control-arm-brackets

Best I've ever found are the ones from Iron Rock Offroad. Perfect fit, perfect function and their only downside is they are made out of 1/4" HRPO. I'd prefer something a bit lighter but they do work perfectly and I've done 15-20 sets of them.

 

[GATORB8]

Buncha fucking wizards in here because I still can't see enough deformation of that LCA mount to prevent removal of the arm.

If the issue is just the bolt not coming out, it's probably seized on the sleeve. Could sawzall between the arm and the bracket (through the rubber bushing, sleeve, and bolt).

 

[Rickstar321]

... Yeah you can't listen to me... I'm prone to cuttin' stuff off and welding on new stuff...

 

[mrblaine]

If the issue is just the bolt not coming out, it's probably seized on the sleeve. Could sawzall between the arm and the bracket (through the rubber bushing, sleeve, and bolt).

Chris owes us an apology. When I was looking at it the first time, this was not in the post. Not sure why, but here we are. All the recommendations to remove and replace are correct.

 

[Weasellee]

Chris owes us an apology. When I was looking at it the first time, this was not in the post. Not sure why, but here we are. All the recommendations to remove and replace are correct.
View attachment 688224

Maybe the OP added it later? First time i looked at this thread this is the photo I zeroed in on.
And yes, this needs replacing regardless of where you purchase the replacement.
B

 

[nfaust1257]

Ordered new mount and called Wrangler Specialties to help clean and weld on.