Sheared Off Shock Bolts Now What?

[johnny9]

I managed to shear off the bolts on the front lower shock mount ( where the shock attaches to the lower control arm) any easy fixes? are there any alternative way to mount this? my truck is stuck in my brothers garage, I really need help. Thanks

[wtbrowne]

A picture would be helpful so that we could see exactly what has happened. I can visualize several different scenarios but they all might be wrong.

[johnny9]

no access to pic right now.. its the two bolts that hold the shock to the lower control arm, i twisted the heads right off the bolt. so the bolt body is still in the threaded hole in the lower control arm.

[GasHog369]

soak it down with pb blaster and use a "bolt out"..... if the bolt out cant get around any thread sticking out , you may have to cut a slot in there, apply heat to the control arm , and use a big slotted bit and i high torque low speed drill to try and back it off... Main thing it use the pb to loosen her up

[jerseydrew]

i thought the bolt was threaded into those metal clips. you should be able to pry off the metal clips on the top of the shock and pull the bolts out that way. then when you e assemble use new bolts and washers with nuts till you can get to the dealer for the proper clips again.

[jdubya]

I over torqued one of my bolts and snapped the head off when I was installing my leveling kit. I was able to put a set of vise grip pliers on them and thread them all the way through without a problem. It was a pain in the a** but it worked.

[Graya25]

Wow, I did the same exact thing this week. It really is a pain. Best option is to get some Craftsman Bolt-Outs from Sears (they look like regular sockets with a grooved inside) and try to stick it on the part of the shaft that's sticking out and get it out. I was able to get one of my sheared bolts out using this method. Unfortunately, the Bolt-Out sheared more of the shaft off of the other bolt, and that piece of the shaft is now stuck inside my new Bolt-Out. I was able to get my new shock in, but it's only being held in by one bolt at the bottom mounting plate, and the nut at the top.

 

Good luck, this can be a frustrating process...

[wtbrowne]

I think that these bolts have lock threads and they don't turn easily even with the bolt head intact, which is why yours' probably broke off. If there is little or nothing to grab onto, you may not be able to get them out. Replacing the lower control arm may be your only alternative.

[johnny9]

I think that these bolts have lock threads and they don't turn easily even with the bolt head intact, which is why yours' probably broke off. If there is little or nothing to grab onto, you may not be able to get them out. Replacing the lower control arm may be your only alternative.

 

 

I bought this thing as a beater just to get through a home renovation I have going on.. $1450.00 runs like a top! I just cant help but to tinker with stuff, which is how I messed up the shock.. For the record, I had no luck with the easy out, wound up just drilling through both bolts and broke away the threads. Finally, I busted off the threaded clips with a chisel and simply replaced with bolts and nuts. I see no reason to ever put those God awful clips back in, and I cant believe someone hasnt made a simple adapter to replace what I feel is a POOR design in the first place. The lower control arms were easily had for around $60.00 at the local salvage yards, things just got way too personal between me and those bolts. Thanks for all the comments!! Peace!

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Given how your truck is 20 years old, I'm not surprised the bolt snapped off like that. Regardless, glad you like your truck. Please attach some photos of the truck when you get a moment.

 

I think that these bolts have lock threads and they don't turn easily even with the bolt head intact, which is why yours' probably broke off. If there is little or nothing to grab onto, you may not be able to get them out. Replacing the lower control arm may be your only alternative.

 

 

I bought this thing as a beater just to get through a home renovation I have going on.. $1450.00 runs like a top! I just cant help but to tinker with stuff, which is how I messed up the shock.. For the record, I had no luck with the easy out, wound up just drilling through both bolts and broke away the threads. Finally, I busted off the threaded clips with a chisel and simply replaced with bolts and nuts. I see no reason to ever put those God awful clips back in, and I cant believe someone hasnt made a simple adapter to replace what I feel is a POOR design in the first place. The lower control arms were easily had for around $60.00 at the local salvage yards, things just got way too personal between me and those bolts. Thanks for all the comments!! Peace!