Uni-Body Woes!

[Explorer 1]

Anyone had any experience with this kind of problem with their Uni-Body?

See:

http://www.4wdtrips.net/forum/showthread.php?p=74438#post74438

Thanks,
Fred
(Disabled) Explore 1

 

[SixLug]

OUCH! thats insane! so the cracking of the unibody was making the noise? Or the binding of the CA's or what? Surely someone would have noticed after being under the Jeep replacing the driveshaft or something. Ive never seen that, but wow. You must flex that thing quite a bit!! ha ha.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Not mine, but I know a few XJ owners who have had the same issue

 

[Root Moose]

Looks like fun. I guess in some respects you could make a case for an aftermarket long arm kit as a fix.

 

[Explorer 1]

popping sound

The popping sound was the sheet metal snapping at the crack. Because it was behind (inside of the arm) you really couldn't see the crack. Here is the trail fix that lasted the rest of the 2 days and 250 mile trip back home (the boalt broke about 10 miles from home but the other three ams held it together until I made it)

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[2drx4]

It's kinda a common problem with a 4-link/panhard front combined with flex... There's a huge amount of inherent bind, and eventually something is going to give.

 

[Root Moose]

Kinda bummer that you were being proactive with the lower stiffener capturing the LCA area in JeepSpeed style (T&J Stiffener?) but there was nothing on the upper arm area. I don't even think there is a product on the market to do anything like that. Have to roll your own.

Do the JeepSpeeders have a work around?

 

[Eric S.]

I knew the bottom brackets were subject to cracking but I guess if you brace them the next weakest link is the upper bracket. Looks like my plans for reinforcing the bottom bracket will have to be revised to include the top as well!

 

[Explorer 1]

Final Fix

Here is my final fix, hopefully it will be stronger than it was originally. Worling with torn sheet metel was a bit of a hassle. I had to make/fab parts to attach to the uni-body and then figure ways to reinforce the weak spots.

Maybe over kill, but I go to Moab next month and didn't want to deal with this problem ever again.

I'm pleased it worked out, being my day job is behind a desk!:wings:

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1