I know this is an old thread, but I was looking for topics on the rock ring.

First thing I thought when I saw the "Stainless steel hardware" was anti-seize. It's essential when using SS hardware. I've seen too much of exactly what you described due to trying to install SS hardware dry.

Please elaborate. I'm still bummed from the $300 repair bill. That money could of gotten me my Spidertax wheel spacers and roof cross rails. Alas, I have cooled it on the mods for a while and am just enjoying the Jeep. Still have the replacement rock ring at work being used as a paper weight.

While I was looking at the Rock ring on the Poison Spyder website, http://www.spydercustoms.com/index2.php , it states they use ss hardware (bolts). Stainless bolts have a tendency to gall, or seize, when installed without a lubricant; causing the bolt to sheer as yours did. While I don't know that you didn't apply an anti-seize compound liberally to the threads prior to installation, that's what the image points out to me.

I wouldn't fault the rock ring, I would fault Poison Spyder for not instructing you to apply anti-seize to the threads of the Stainless bolts prior to installation. You may very well play hell getting those bolts back out.

For my case, the holes in the Rock Ring were way out of tolerance (more than half a bolt diameter for one). I had my repair shop verify this when they had the Jeep up on the lift. Just a bummer...

So they're not going to reimburse you the $300 it cost to get the bolt out? that's bullpoop!