What did you do TO your Gladiator today? [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS, NO GUN TALK]

[Josh00333]

Got the truck detailed!

35k miles and 4 years he needed a good cleaning, wax and interior go through.

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[Hootbro]

Got the truck detailed!

35k miles and 4 years he needed a good cleaning, wax and interior go through.

Looks good. I do not think I have ever seen the Sport silver wheels shine and pop that well.

 

[Stan H]

@WILDHOBO So I made a video, possible that it had worked loose this weekend I will add some loctite. But what I noticed is that there is no damage to the LCA and the sleeve for the bolt is 100% intact...But the hole in it is bigger than the bolt . Also the holes in the bracket are about that same size. That bolt must be super hard as it was taking alot of abuse. There was not only up and down play but left and right .
As you will See in the pics I found a hard washer the correct size and used it to take up the remaining slack . I actually had to tap it into place using a punch and then a chisel and a plastic HF dead blow hammer.
After looking at the holes in the bracket I believe going to the hardware store and finding an extremely hard bolt just a little bigger would be the ticket .
I used a large screw driver for final alignment then a love tap from the HF dead blow hammer .
And thwn the bolt was through. With zero slack remaining and no chance of bending the bracket inward I did not hold back and put the Come Hither on it.
This bolt is a fine thread M-12 or something super hard like that so even though I did not have my impact I used a very long 25mm end wrench and a ½ ratchet and a 21mm socket on the head side of the bolt. It definitely should be locked into place . I could not budge it the tiniest amount after that.

I still think I may hunt up a bigger bolt same length and strength . Possibly at Graingers or somewhere like that.

 

[WILDHOBO]

@WILDHOBO So I made a video, possible that it had worked loose this weekend I will add some loctite. But what I noticed is that there is no damage to the LCA and the sleeve for the bolt is 100% intact...But the hole in it is bigger than the bolt . Also the holes in the bracket are about that same size. That bolt must be super hard as it was taking alot of abuse. There was not only up and down play but left and right .
As you will See in the pics I found a hard washer the correct size and used it to take up the remaining slack . I actually had to tap it into place using a punch and then a chisel and a plastic HF dead blow hammer.
After looking at the holes in the bracket I believe going to the hardware store and finding an extremely hard bolt just a little bigger would be the ticket .
I used a large screw driver for final alignment then a love tap from the HF dead blow hammer .
And thwn the bolt was through. With zero slack remaining and no chance of bending the bracket inward I did not hold back and put the Come Hither on it.
This bolt is a fine thread M-12 or something super hard like that so even though I did not have my impact I used a very long 25mm end wrench and a ½ ratchet and a 21mm socket on the head side of the bolt. It definitely should be locked into place not . I could not bundle it the tiniest amount after that.

I still think I may hunt up a bigger bolt same length and strength . Possibly at Graingers or somewhere like that.

Whats the diameter of that bracket hole? I can pull one of mine and check both my teraflex bushing sleeve, and the bracket to compare. It still looks to me like a normal control arm when the bolt loosened up a bit. With my experience, which is scant compared to many, they do move up and down a bit if they’re not tight. I helped a friend lift a brand new gladiator with only 2000 miles on the parts, and it did the same thing until they were tight. But I’m happy to measure for you as we have near identical control arms.

 

[WILDHOBO]

@WILDHOBO So I made a video, possible that it had worked loose this weekend I will add some loctite. But what I noticed is that there is no damage to the LCA and the sleeve for the bolt is 100% intact...But the hole in it is bigger than the bolt . Also the holes in the bracket are about that same size. That bolt must be super hard as it was taking alot of abuse. There was not only up and down play but left and right .
As you will See in the pics I found a hard washer the correct size and used it to take up the remaining slack . I actually had to tap it into place using a punch and then a chisel and a plastic HF dead blow hammer.
After looking at the holes in the bracket I believe going to the hardware store and finding an extremely hard bolt just a little bigger would be the ticket .
I used a large screw driver for final alignment then a love tap from the HF dead blow hammer .
And thwn the bolt was through. With zero slack remaining and no chance of bending the bracket inward I did not hold back and put the Come Hither on it.
This bolt is a fine thread M-12 or something super hard like that so even though I did not have my impact I used a very long 25mm end wrench and a ½ ratchet and a 21mm socket on the head side of the bolt. It definitely should be locked into place . I could not budge it the tiniest amount after that.

I still think I may hunt up a bigger bolt same length and strength . Possibly at Graingers or somewhere like that.

Front upper control arm, frame side, correct?

 

[Stan H]

Front upper control arm, frame side, correct?

Front driver side lower control arm.
I wonder if your bolt also is smaller than the insert in the control arm .

 

[Stan H]

Whats the diameter of that bracket hole? I can pull one of mine and check both my teraflex bushing sleeve, and the bracket to compare. It still looks to me like a normal control arm when the bolt loosened up a bit. With my experience, which is scant compared to many, they do move up and down a bit if they’re not tight. I helped a friend lift a brand new gladiator with only 2000 miles on the parts, and it did the same thing until they were tight. But I’m happy to measure for you as we have near identical control arms.

I am not sure .. I didn't measure the diameter but it's bigger than the bolt and really the exact size of the hole in the sleeve insert in the control arm .

 

[WILDHOBO]

Front driver side lower control arm.
I wonder if your bolt also is smaller than the insert in the control arm .

Frame side, correct? Happy to check. I forgot the mention in the last post, check belmetric dot com for anything you could want. That’s where I source things when I want “like Oem” fasteners.

 

[Hootbro]

I still think I may hunt up a bigger bolt same length and strength . Possibly at Graingers or somewhere like that.

That has always been the problem with both the JL and the JT control arm is that they drill SAE inch spec holes for the control arms but use a undersize metric fastener. Same with the corresponding bushing size on the control arm. A 5/8 x 4" bolt is what you are looking for.

If you search around, companies like Synergy sell replacement control arm bolt kits with the SAE inch hardware but you can probably source local for cheaper. Want a grade 8.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I am not sure .. I didn't measure the diameter but it's bigger than the bolt and really the exact size of the hole in the sleeve insert in the control arm .

My bracket holes are the same as the sleeves as well. Is it possible the wrong bolt was put in there? I’ll check my sizes for you as well if you want.

 

[Stan H]

Whats the diameter of that bracket hole? I can pull one of mine and check both my teraflex bushing sleeve, and the bracket to compare. It still looks to me like a normal control arm when the bolt loosened up a bit. With my experience, which is scant compared to many, they do move up and down a bit if they’re not tight. I helped a friend lift a brand new gladiator with only 2000 miles on the parts, and it did the same thing until they were tight. But I’m happy to measure for you as we have near identical control arms.

2000 miles and they moved up and down thats wild. I dont remember checking real close as I was so pumped about the lift I never even noticed

 

[WILDHOBO]

That has always been the problem with both the JL and the JT control arm is that they drill SAE inch spec holes for the control arms but use a undersize metric fastener. Same with the corresponding bushing size on the control arm. A 5/8 x 4" bolt is what you are looking for.

First I’ve heard of that. Great information. Ow I want to check mine. But they’re not loose. Maybe I swapped them when I added the bolt through skids.

 

[Stan H]

That has always been the problem with both the JL and the JT control arm is that they drill SAE inch spec holes for the control arms but use a undersize metric fastener. Same with the corresponding bushing size on the control arm. A 5/8 x 4" bolt is what you are looking for.

If you search around, companies like Synergy sell replacement control arm bolt kits with the SAE inch hardware but you can probably source local for cheaper. Want a grade 8.

Roger that loud and clear @Hootbro thanks for that info

 

[WILDHOBO]

2000 miles and they moved up and down thats wild. I dont remember checking real close as I was so pumped about the lift I never even noticed

Only when loose. We loosened them on purpose as we were lifting it.

 

[Stan H]

First I’ve heard of that. Great information. Ow I want to check mine. But they’re not loose. Maybe I swapped them when I added the bolt through skids.

I can see this thread tomorrow your going to check yours now

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