rustys steering box brace install

[jeepnuts311]

hey all,
just got home to find my steering box brace sitting on the doorstep so i decided to install it, but it seems to be a 1/4" too short. if i have the brace mounted up in the corner, it doesnt reach the steering box, and if i have it sttached to the steering box, it doesnt reach the frame rail on the passenger side, and the brace's holes are hanging off the frame meaning the bolts wouldnt hold.

rustys is closed for the night, anybody have any ideas?

-tim

 

[Wa Woody]

It's been a while, but IIRC I had the same problem. I welded one of the C-shaped clamps to the rod running to the frame and bolted the second clamp to the welded portion. Good Luck

Shawn

 

[jeepnuts311]

i was thinking about doing something like that, did you bolt up the arm and then go back with the welder?

-tim

 

[Wa Woody]

i was thinking about doing something like that, did you bolt up the arm and then go back with the welder?

-tim

Exactly, I got it up in place nice and tight then welded it to the correct length. Actually, I like it better that way. If the steering box does start pushing hard against the brace the bolt hole won't get egg-shaped and start moving. Good Luck

Woody

 

[beakie]

I didn't have that much of a gap when I put mine on. I was able to put the 2 bottom bolts on the pass. side in, then the bolts for the clamps on loosely. Then I tightened the pass. side bolts down, and was able to fire in that last bolt towards the front. Lastly the bolts on the clamp.
But that was with less of a gap than you seem to have, hope this helps tho.

 

[TheHighHeat]

if it doesn't fit send it back and buy a MORE one, mine fit perfect

 

[jeepnuts311]

if it doesn't fit send it back and buy a MORE one, mine fit perfect

I dont want to pay shipping again, even if rustys covers the shipping on the defective part, i have to pay shipping for the M.O.R.E. unit. it seems like this is a common problem with rustys steering box brace, maybe i can get it all lined up,

it just seems like with it being 1/4" too short and all if i tightened it down (assuming i could even get the bolts to line up), it would put MORE stress on the steering box, pulling it to the other side, reversing the problem.

-tim

 

[jayuu]

i had the same problem. after 3 months of wheeling, i tried it again and it fit perfect.

 

[jeepnuts311]

i had the same problem. after 3 months of wheeling, i tried it again and it fit perfect.

so, its possible that the part is the right shape/size, and my unibody is tweaked?

-tim

 

[jeepnuts311]

Emailed rustys about the part, and he suggested cycling the steering to see if the unibody will flex and allow the parts to line up, or having a custom brace made.

-tim

 

[ZachMan]

Another great Rustys product, lol.

 

[Narfxj]

I also have the same problem with Rusty's steering box brace. I bought it about a year ago and today it is in the back of my XJ still brand new never installed. The thing just didnt fit right. So I said forget it and made my own. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jdogg4]

Wait a second here you guys are buying a finished bolt on product that doesn't funtion or fit and it's a bolt on. So now you have to weld and or grind via say fab up the bracket to work on the jeep??? UM ya ok. GO RUSTY! another great product that farks their customers over. O ya good work there. If it doesn't work and he wants to stand up to his workman ship and products then he would ship one that works with a pre paid return slip. Now that's a good product company and customer service.

 

[Luggz]

I had the same problem and after getting 3 of them i finally just hacked the sob in half and made a sleeve for it and welded it up..