i had the EXACT same problem. honestly the easiest way to do this is to cut the cross member down the outside line of the box frame rail. then take an air hammer and break off the rivet stud and break the weld on the far drivers side ("inside" of the rail) go in and put in all new nuts, assemble the brace and then tack the nuts in there and weld a patch back on to the crossmember.

 

how bout this.....i weld some metal on one side of the nut and fit it through the hole and start the bolt, the welded tab on the nut should be big enough so that the nut can't turn. i haven't tried it yet but itsounds like it will work

 

I know I am resurrecting an ancient thread, but I have this same problem on my 79 CJ 7. This has been determined to be (at least a big part of) my erratic steering, and the loose bolts on there have actually even gotten to the point where a mounting ear for one of the bolts has broken off the steering box itself.
I'm wondering what mrloadie ended up doing to remedy this problem. If I have to cut an access hole in the frame, I can do that, but if there is another way, I would prefer it.
Anyone else have any input?

 

i cut the frame. easy to do. weld it back and grind it down and paint.

 

x2 on the cut n weld

 

Looks like I'll be going after the frame with a skinny wheel. Yikes. I was really hoping for a better way. Time to don the surgical gloves and get to bidness I guess.

 

Surgical cuts...

 

cutting torch if available.

 

x 3 on the cut and weld. Makes it alot easier to get in there.

 

Here's what I ended up going with:

Thanks for all the tips/help. I should have time to get it all welded back up tomorrow, but the nut already is welded back on, and the jeep is driveable, so...

:thankyou: