ok so i went to the stealership to check on getting tsb while getting an oil change done (switched to synthetic as well)

and my cross member for the transmission is bent I want to get the 2 tsb for the clutch and t/o bearing done i currently have 19060 kms i have until 20000km to get it done or i pay, they ordered the parts should be in this week, the cross member is like 971$ till they figured it was for me and it came back at 651$ (that is right i'm special ) but it isn't in stock in the system. they said they couldn't do it till the cross member came in
i said that could be weeks and i would be over mileage.

so my question is what do i need to do in order to weld with mig on the cross member to put supporting so that it doesn't twist out of shape when i take it off. so that they can remove it and put the tsb's in it and be done with out whining about the part being distorted and should have a new one.

I want to weld angle on both sides of the crushed area so that it doesn't distort when taken out.

then i'm going to take it out take photos and put it back in and show them it can be done.... and doing all this while it is 25*F outside

so to recap in order to weld on the jeep do i need to disconnect the computer? battery positive and negative or just one any help asap would be great





Thank you.

 

does it really matter if the crossmember is bent? Why not just leave it the way it is?

 

Mine was bent so bad it was pushing my transmission up about 1.5". I also had to get that section of my exhaust cut out and a new piece welded in. The dealer charged me cost for the crossmember, which was just under $500 US. Luckily the exhaust guy I knew fixed my crosspipe for free.

 

I would think it would be OK to remove

It isn't going to move but when you reinstall it it may not line up...

If you weld it now you won't be able to straighten it, if required to get everything lined back up.

I'd leave it alone for now...unless you can't get it to line back up.

 

I would love to leave it the way it is and so would my wallet.
the fear is when i unbolt it and take it out that it will be bent and it wont go back in cause the damaged caused it to spring / deform so that the bolts and being fixed in place is fine but once removed nothing will line up.

 

but if i weld it now by say tack welding the angle steel in it should act like a jig being in place where it is now so when i remove it wont change anything.
In theory.

 

ya my cross over pipe is crushed in a bit too. i was thinking to weld in a new section as well and the armour it with some schedual 40 pipe.

 

if you take the cross memeber out and the wholes for the new ones dont line up you can always use a high lift jack to spread them back apart when putting the new one in.

 

I have a Friend here in PR that did what you where about to do and .. he did made some brackets for the cross member and lined up perfectly..after he did it his cross member arrived and he still has not put in.. I will try to take pic of his JK today

good luck

 

I think you make a good point. If you take it out and it bends then you'd have a heck of a time getting things to line back up. Weld it.

I have welded quite a bit on my JK to reinforce the track bar brackets and though maybe I should have disconnected the battery, I didn't. No odd computer gremlins and its been about 3000 miles since.

Before I welded I would preheat both pieces of steel. Welding in 25 degree temps might cause cracks. Try to do it indoors if possible. Drive it until warm and let it sit in a garage until the engine heat warms up the space some.

Let us know how it turns out.