Questions for Craig that he can't answer:
1). Is the bolt that was in the upper the hardened metric bolt originally supplied with the kit?
2). Could the bolt have been loose and worked it's way out?
1.) yes...i used their hardware and their instructions to install it. the only exception to that was the crossmember bolts...i had to tap them one size bigger because some of the threads stripped out. however, that should no way effect what happened
2.) of course...when i first put the kit on i would periodically check it for tightness since i had actually heard rumors about the bolt failing/coming loose. as i put more and more miles on it (probably has 15k on it since installing it last july) ill admit i haven't checked it in a while. my only concern with that is that it shouldn't be possible for a suspension bolt to work its way free. i really worry that what ken stated is true, that there is some fundamental flaw with the design that causes the bolt to back out. im just curious how many guys check their suspension bolts religiously? i try to periodically, but i guess i got a little complacent since i've never had a bolt work its way loose on any suspension parts i've installed on my rig or on other peoples rigs...
at this point i've slept 5 hours in the last 2 nights (2 in a hotel and 3 of which were on the floor of grand central station and on various train rides), i'm hungry, frustrated, sore from working on the jeep in a parking lot, a little homesick and i feel a little trapped. i honestly need a good nights sleep and a clear head to process things but i do know this 1.) i'm safe and not injured 2.) the jeep is fixable, the tow truck driver did everything in his power to get it on and off safely 3.) the jeep is somewhere it can stay for a while if need be. clayton and his guys were absolutely awesome and are willing to do what ever i chose to do. at this point im going to send josh and jason at iro another email with some of the pictures i took and an explanation of everything that has happened and everything i still need to do. im fully willing to take 50% of the responsibility in this situation, and its up to them if they want to reciprocate. i don't expect them to contribute to anything if they don't want to, but i will leave that decision up to them. i'm not going to be filing any sort of formal claim against them because its not good for either party. at the very least, if they can take some time and look at the design of their set up, i would be happy with that.
for now, i'm giving up the few days i had at home and staying in the city until thursday since i had work lined up until then. here are the options i have with the jeep...i'm just curious what ya'll think (clearly i know what one i would like to do but with all the money i've spent the last few days, i don't know if its feasible)
1.) have clayton install a 3 link and call it good price $1756.26. i would do the install myself, but since its immobile and in their shop, i don't really have that option
2.) have clayton "repair" the iro arm...and basically do what ya'll are talkign about with dan's rig using clayton components...cost about $480
3.) bend the iro components back into place and make the rig trailerable at the very least so i can drag it where i need to...cost labor at $100/hr
4.) cut my losses and try to sell the jeep locally...not something i want to do, but honestly all the stress this has caused has made me think about this several times today.
5.) order an iro arm and have it shipped to clayton and then have either them or myself put it on...either way it would be coming off asap.
clayton said i can let it sit in their lot for a while if needed
also...sorry for the epic novels the last few days, but unfortunately ya'll are about the only one that understand my frustrations
