I was under the truck the other day checking everthing out do to abunch of slop and pops in the front end and there was a bolt missing out of the gear box where it bolts to the frame. Anybody else had this happened to them?

 

yeah this has happened to me, ended up busting and ear off of the gear box itself where the bolts go through. had to get a new one out of a junk yard. also check the mounting plate, they are very well known for cracking. To prevent this from happening, i use a torque wrench, and some loctite to keep the from coming loose and causing a cracked box or plate.
I also had a lot of play in my drag link, cheap $95 fix, steers like a champ now though. Check tie rod ends as well.

 

Oh i know everything was loose under there. Do i have to take the plate off the frame to get those bolts back in? I didnt see any other way around it. Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks