Bandit4x4 IA Bushings, LCAs

[RockinX]

I just had mine welded and it's holding up fine.

And you had them welded without taking them off. Nice!  Thank you for the info Mitch. 

[Soylent Yellow]

And you had them welded without taking them off. Nice!  Thank you for the info Mitch. 

Only the driver's side.

[Pigcat]

I had cracks in my driver's side welded also.  It was holding up fine but I ended up replacing both LCAs after bending the passenger side in Sedona - hit a boulder pretty hard while trying to avoid a cattle guard    You've had your rig for a long time so the ball joints are probably ready for replacement anyways, so it may be best to go ahead and get new LCAs.  I bought mine from Courtesy Parts - saved about $100 off each and shipping cost was around $25.  I had the shop weld up some reinforcements around the shock mounts before install.
Tom

[RockinX]

Yeah, you really have to watch out for those cattle guards.    I wouldn't have been surprised if you had said you had welded up just about every part possible on your X.  You are definitely not shy about challenging obstacles!

I was quoted $500 for the labor from my mechanic for the one side and today they said they could do both for that price.  Since there is no guaranty that the $50 weld job is going to hold and because of the new ball joints and bushings you and Bobby mentioned, I think I will go ahead and get the new LCAs from Courtesy Parts.  And it only makes sense to have a reinforcement plate done at the same time.  Now I need to do some research to find someone that will do both.  

Update:  I talked to my muffler guy and he said he doesn't weld structural parts.  But when he looked at the cracks, he said no problem since they were not that significant.  I may do that as a bandaid until after Big Bear and then get it taken care of permanently.  Might be time to get a new Flowmaster.