Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: PtP on June 19, 2008, 05:22:34 PM

Title: Front Axle Problem
Post by: PtP on June 19, 2008, 05:22:34 PM
I’ve just noticed a problem with my front axle where the lower control arm attaches to the bracket arrangement on the axle.

I know the front end of the control arm took a hit a few months back and put a small dent in it, but I’m sure the axle bracket was still fine then. It’s now looking rather bent and I just don’t recall when this could have happened!

I’ve attached a couple of photos showing the problem.

Is this something that can be repaired quite easily and if so, any suggestions where?

I’m loathed to use it until I get it fixed. :-(

(http://http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/mmore514/DSCN4264.jpg)


(http://http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/mmore514/DSCN4258.jpg)
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Post by: Mike Pavelin on June 19, 2008, 05:41:16 PM
It wants the arm taking off and the brackets heating up with the gasaxe and straightened.
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Post by: PtP on June 19, 2008, 06:03:48 PM
Cheers Mike! I now need some suggestions as to where to take it to get it done. I don't have the equipment or skills to tackle it.

Anyone any suggestions please?
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Post by: Tank on June 19, 2008, 06:21:22 PM
Pete,had exactly the same thing happen on my XJ when i had it.Basically we took it into Bubbas workshop,disconnected the track arm,beat the thing back straght and then Greggmo welded some steel "L" plate either side to strengthen it and it worked a treat.They seem quite weak and vulnerable really especially when the car is used offroad
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Post by: David_LLAMA4x4 on June 19, 2008, 06:21:29 PM
Quote from: "PtP"
Cheers Mike! I now need some suggestions as to where to take it to get it done. I don't have the equipment or skills to tackle it.

Anyone any suggestions please?


 I can suggest a place in Dudley, west Midlands if that is of any use to you....
 Where are you in the country??

David

 PS Some of my new little skid / braces will syop it happening again.  :-x
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Post by: PtP on June 19, 2008, 06:46:04 PM
Quote from: "David_LLAMA4x4"
I can suggest a place in Dudley,  

PS Some of my new little skid / braces will syop it happening again.  :-x

I'm in Stourbridge, Dudley is about 5 miles away! A contact would be great.

Also, what are the braces you are having made?
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Post by: garyf on June 19, 2008, 07:53:47 PM
With a view to how it happened is it because of how much suspension travel you have, I have noticed since I put my adjustable LCA's on when on full drop the twist that is in the arm is around 15 to 20 degrees, if in your case the LCA can't twist all this force will go through the brackets, could this cause the failure
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Post by: isle of man on June 19, 2008, 08:38:08 PM
it's impact damage - seen it may times before, you could make good and weld a couple of mini skids from jks or curries also has them i believe.



(http://http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/graphics/jks/p_miniskids.jpg)


DO NOT DRIVE IT........
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Post by: David_LLAMA4x4 on June 19, 2008, 08:52:50 PM
Quote from: "PtP"
Quote from: "David_LLAMA4x4"
I can suggest a place in Dudley,  

PS Some of my new little skid / braces will syop it happening again.  :-x
I'm in Stourbridge, Dudley is about 5 miles away! A contact would be great.

Also, what are the braces you are having made?


 Stourbridge is convenient then - he's actually in Netherton...
 
Company is W.Pym & Son
 Telephone 01384.257841 and speak to Nick Pym.

  I have just phoned him at home and he said they would be more than happy to do the job if you want to speak to give him a call.

Hope that helps

 The little brace / skid things are a piece of steep late, shaped to fit onto the existing brackets to both beef them up and act as a skid plate to frontal impact. Made some prototypes but am now just waiting for a price from the lazer cutters for the blanks

Many thanks

David
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Post by: David_LLAMA4x4 on June 19, 2008, 08:56:22 PM
Quote from: "isle of man"
it's impact damage - seen it may times before, you could make good and weld a couple of mini skids from jks or curries also has them i believe.



(http://http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/graphics/jks/p_miniskids.jpg)


DO NOT DRIVE IT........


 They're the jobbies!!! Just like them

David
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Post by: Bubba on June 19, 2008, 09:02:31 PM
i know them i could spit on there place from here its only 2 bits of flat steel dood have a `crack at it
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Post by: PtP on June 19, 2008, 09:20:07 PM
Thanks David, I'll give Nick a call first thing in the morning. Netherton is even closer to me.

I've seen the JKS skid plates before, so when you have some available, give me a shout and I'll get some welded on.

IF I can get the brackets straightened tomorrow, then I'll be at Ribbo on Sunday after all. :-)  Fingers crossed!
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Post by: scrw on June 19, 2008, 10:14:30 PM
Have them on my XJ, can take some abuse
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Post by: Asylum on June 19, 2008, 10:46:17 PM
http://www.birtydastardsjeepclub.com/fo ... highlight= (http://www.birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5102&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=)

Followed by below link after I learnt my lesson about control arms.

http://www.birtydastardsjeepclub.com/fo ... highlight= (http://www.birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5835&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=)

Clayt
 8-)
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Post by: JamesH on June 20, 2008, 10:38:20 AM
This is common and it's due to both impact and twist forces.

Control Arms need a flex-joint, johnny joint or similar if you have more than standard suspension travel.

A piece of flat 3mm+ steel welded to the front like those JKS skids does a good job of bracing the bracket and protecting against impact damage. I have also added 3mm steel plate to the bracket sides, welded around the edge and to the axle tube, forming a box with the front 'skid' piece.

Alternatively you can buy bracket from Rubicon Express, Rusty's and other that are made of 1/4" steel and replace the stock brackets with them.

Just bending them back into place is inviting it to happen again and probably worse, they can rip off and take a chunk of axle tube if you are really unlucky.
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Post by: PtP on June 20, 2008, 04:02:36 PM
Thanks for all the help and suggestions. The Jeep is in the workshop at Pym’s having the bracket straightened and reinforced with some skid plates similar to the JKS style ones. Nick Pym seemed really in tune with what was needed, so once it’s collected, I’ll post some photos of the repair and reinforcing. The other side was also going to get the reinforcing treatment too!

So it looks like I should be able to make Ribbo on Sunday after all! 8-)
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Post by: Bubba on June 20, 2008, 06:35:18 PM
it must be one that got away
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Post by: PtP on June 22, 2008, 10:39:29 PM
Quote from: "David_LLAMA4x4"
[Company is W.Pym & Son
 Telephone 01384.257841 and speak to Nick Pym.

  I have just phoned him at home and he said they would be more than happy to do the job if you want to speak to give him a call.

Hope that helps

Many thanks David, your contact, Nick came up trumps and had the job done in no time. He even fabricated and welded on some reinforcing skids very similar to the JKS ones. I'll post some photos once I've washed the Jeep off after the day at Ribbo! :-D
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Post by: PtP on June 29, 2008, 03:44:15 PM
Here are the photos of the front axle mount I had repaired and strengthened last week. I took these after a day’s playing at Ribbo.

(http://http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/mmore514/DSCN4334.jpg)

(http://http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/mmore514/DSCN4341.jpg)

(http://http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j272/mmore514/DSCN4345.jpg)