OEM Spring Mounts, do they break?

[netbear]

Just want to see if anyone has torn a factory
leaf spring mount off an FSJ or are they
bullet proof as is? I plan to twist and tug
on mine pretty hard and just want to see if I
should beef them or replace them with 3/8"
welded steel plate.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Pretty Strong really. However where I am, they rust off!! :(

[Retro93]

Originally posted by Crazy_Jeepman:
Pretty Strong really. However where I am, they rust off!! :( Rust? :confused: What is this rust stuff you speak of? :D

[netbear]

I had to get my Cherokee from Colorado to find
one without rust. The road salt they use here
in the winter eats everything. I just the Jeep
in the garage during the winter.

[Bob Barry]

I've seen reports here of the frame cracking underneath the rear mount for the front spring. But I've seen more than one rear hanger rust off.

[River Beast]

Originally posted by Bob Barry:
I've seen reports here of the frame cracking underneath the rear mount for the front spring. But I've seen more than one rear hanger rust off.I have repaired the rear mounts of the front suspensions on both my 78 Waggie and RBY's 80 W/T Laredo....

At the framerail inside where the weld bead is at was separated on both and the rivits worked loose... easy weld up for reenforcement....

[Retro93]

Thanks for reminding me Todd. The front hangers on my '79 have broken welds too. :eek: Something else to fix. :rolleyes:

[River Beast]

Originally posted by Retro93:
Thanks for reminding me Todd. The front hangers on my '79 have broken welds too. :eek: Something else to fix. :rolleyes: You're welcome, Kim.... easy to overlook when you have alot going on.....

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Seems to me that the most vulnerable is the rear spring rear perch, where crud collects in the housing, and eats away at it. I'm talking about the later model style that is, not the early post mount type.

[River Beast]

We are too.... my 78 Waggie has the box style..

The box is vulnerable to crud and rust as you said...depending on your geo. location.... but the unseen busted welds on the rear mounts of the front suspension are most overlooked....and can be in any geo. location

[netbear]

Hmm, So maybe the welds should be beefed/
rewelded prior to cracking and maybe drill
out the factory rivets and replace with
grade 8 cap screws? Maybe those billet 4350
mounts for CJs will work? Thanks for the info,
it's a lot easier to work on the Jeep in the shop
instead of on the trail.

[davez26]

I managed to tear one. It looked like this:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/cfsja/files/Davez%20Cherokee/12310206.jpg
I didn't notice it until an after trip damage inspection. To repair it, we welded the crack and spliced in a little material to fill for the missing piece, them put a decent bead on the outside of the perches to give them a little more support. I think the problem is lateral stress pushing against those two rivets until they give up or rip the frame.