[datapusher]

Broke Shock bolt

OK so I decided to check on my steering and suspension bolts to see if they were loose again. A few weeks ago I discovered that my bushing colar bolts on the upper control arm were super loose.

Well being the in depth guy that I am, I decided to check the front shock bolts. They were pretty loose. These are the 2 bolts on the lower mounting point of the shock seen here:

Well one of the bolts snapped. It looks to be a thin flimsy bolt with a nut on the end.

So this leads me to my question(s).

I am going to replace all four bolts (2 per shock). What size and length bolt should I use.

How the heck do I get the nut in there on the bolt. I guess I need to take the tire off, but I am guessing that the coil and drum will be obscuring any access to hold the nut in place while I put the bolt in from below the shock.

What should i torque these bolts at?

I am on the side of the road and need to move ASAP so a quick detailed response would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bill Rose]

You don't need to have a nut to hold or tighten. Its suppose to have a clip with a nut welded to it. You slide the clips on and put the bolts in and tighten. Ground-Up sells a front shock installation kit with all 4 clips/nuts and the 4 bolts. .... but you'll have to get the car home first.

 

[datapusher]

Don't have time for shipping. nuts will have to do for now.

 

[Dave]

Drive home carefully, it's not like the car is going to fall apart. You'll be allright, go to a tire and shock place tommorrow, they will probably sell you what you need.

 

[novaderrik]

grade 5 bolts- 5/16"X3/4" with matching nuts and lockwashers.
and unless you are running a coilover setup, the shock is supposed to be UNDER the control arm.. i don't even know how one gets it together the way yours is pictured..

 

[datapusher]

The spring is around the shock... is that coilover?

 

[vrooom3440]

No. Coilover is when the spring is mounted *on* the shock.

 

[Dean]

That shock is on the wrong side of the control arm, isn't it?
Mine are underneath, not inside.

 

[datapusher]

How do I make sure the mounting point is supposed to be underneath the control arm?

 

[Dean]

Don't think I ever saw one that wasn't under the control arm Jim.
(not til' now anyway)

 

[datapusher]

Sounds good to me then. How the hell am I supposed to get it through that hole?

 

[Bill Rose]

Sounds good to me then. How the hell am I supposed to get it through that hole?

With both bolts removed, turn the shock 90 degs and it will come thru.

 

[novaderrik]

i don't think he'll be able to just twist the shock and get it thru the hole..
i think the lower control arm will have to be loosened and the spring removed to get it out..
who the hell puts a car together like that?

 

[Dean]

Probably just need to take the shock loose at the top nut

No, I think it will come through like Bill said.

 

[Brettd85]

Probably just need to take the shock loose at the top nut

No, I think it will come through like Bill said.

I hope for his sake it will come through. I dont think it will though. If that is the case he will have to lower the control arm to get them out. I feel so bad for datapusher, he just cant get a break with this car. :sad:

 

[datapusher]

F' it right, it's only all my spare time and money. No big deal eh... My fault for wanting this car since I was a kid.

So um could this have anything to do with my rough ride? I have no idea why it rides so rough and squirley. brand new suspension and brand new steering with overpriced alignment. i shouldn't feel every defect in the road like I do.

 

[datapusher]

Also, would Home Depo or Osh carry these 'grade 5 bolts- 5/16"X3/4"'

 

[Jerry Briggs]

the attaching plate that the bolts hold against the bottom of the control are will slide out of the shock.

 

[Bill Pritchard]

Also, would Home Depo or Osh carry these 'grade 5 bolts- 5/16"X3/4"'

They might. A good hardware store will have them, though. If you are going to use a bolt & nut setup, you should probably get them 1" or 1 1/4" long to be sure.

 

[Bill Pritchard]

the attaching plate that the bolts hold against the bottom of the control are will slide out of the shock.

Jerry, are you SURE about that I can't imagine how.