About a year ago I swapped out the bushings on my sway bar. When reinstalling the rear self tapping bolt on the LH bracket, the threaded nut (welded to the inside of the box frame) popped a weld and free spun. Although it was free spinning , it was still tight, so I let it go. Well, over time it loosened and the resulting added stress to the front bolt caused the bracket to shear off. Nothing like a loud pop followed by a sway bar rattle to ruin your morning.
Anyway, I have new mounts ready to go; but, there is still no receiver nut for the rear bolt. My proposed fix was to through drill the top rail on the box frame and install and 130mm bolt through the frame. My only concern is compromising the frame. Alternatively, I could weld on a 1/2" plate with threaded holes for front and back bolts. My concern with that option is the integrity of the welds, and the possibility for it to happen again.
Thoughts? For those who have fabed heavily, can the frames handle an extra 1/2" penetration?
Anyway, I have new mounts ready to go; but, there is still no receiver nut for the rear bolt. My proposed fix was to through drill the top rail on the box frame and install and 130mm bolt through the frame. My only concern is compromising the frame. Alternatively, I could weld on a 1/2" plate with threaded holes for front and back bolts. My concern with that option is the integrity of the welds, and the possibility for it to happen again.
Thoughts? For those who have fabed heavily, can the frames handle an extra 1/2" penetration?
