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Trying to replace front shocks

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Old Apr 6, 2005 | 09:33 PM
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Default Trying to replace front shocks

I figured I would put on the front shocks today while the last coat of encap is drying on the rear.

Well, I was putting the drivers side back on and one of the 1/2" bolts with the welded on nut is stripped. I thought the one side was pretty loose when I was taking them off (thats my story and i'm sticking to it).

So my question is does any one know off hand what thread size these 1/2" bolts are, I will have to borrow a tap and get a couple bigger bolts to put the shock back on.

Thanks
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Old Apr 6, 2005 | 09:37 PM
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Drill 9/16" and install 1/2" bolts and nuts (both grade 8 from Home Depot), you can get to the nut and hold it with a open end wrench... honestly, these welded on square plates are really not that great.... unless you want it to be original....
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Old Apr 6, 2005 | 09:41 PM
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Woh. These are not 1/2 inch bolts that hold the lower shocks on. They are 1/2 inch heads but not 1/2 inch bolts. I think they are either 5/16 or 1/4 inch bolts I would have to check but I'm in a hotel tonight. 1/2 inch bolts are huge and would not be needed for shock mounts.
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Old Apr 6, 2005 | 09:41 PM
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They are just 1/2" heads.

I guess I can do that. I planned on rebuilding the front end next fall, and can get new ones welded on then.

Thanks, it just seemd like I could not get a nut in there, I was going to just put another one on top of the welded one and tighten like that.

Last edited by 72-LT1; Apr 6, 2005 at 09:44 PM.
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Old Apr 6, 2005 | 09:59 PM
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I had a 69 Camaro that had both nuts break off. I was able to put on nuts inside the lower control arm when installing the shocks. It took a little time but it worked fine.
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Old Apr 6, 2005 | 10:04 PM
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OK, there is plenty of the bolt above the welded one, so I will put one on top like a lock nut, until I rip it apart.

I have to start putting all this new stuff on the rear that cost 2K plus, before I can do the front.

Thanks
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Old Apr 6, 2005 | 10:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
Woh. These are not 1/2 inch bolts that hold the lower shocks on. They are 1/2 inch heads but not 1/2 inch bolts. I think they are either 5/16 or 1/4 inch bolts I would have to check but I'm in a hotel tonight. 1/2 inch bolts are huge and would not be needed for shock mounts.

ooops, I'm still not used to US standard..... 1/2" is in fact a little big..... and now I remember... it IS a 1/2" hexagon head.....

Anyway, a nut on top of the welded on plate will be just fine...
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Old Apr 7, 2005 | 10:31 PM
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Well, I bought new GR8 bolts and ran them throught the A arm, and then put another nut on top. I figured this would work but I didn't know whether my name would change to Bubba or not.

Thanks for the ideas.
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Old Apr 8, 2005 | 04:23 AM
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5/16diameter, 18 threads per inch (5/16-18 or 5/16ths "national coarse" thread as they say in NASCAR land) is the fastener size. I also have nuts on the top side as my holes were getting worn from so many shock changes when I was "dialing in" my LT-1 for autocross.
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Old Apr 8, 2005 | 07:41 AM
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You could also fill the weld nut with weld and then drill and tap for the correct bolts.
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Old Apr 8, 2005 | 08:12 AM
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Default Or Helicoils?

You could just rethread with helicoils.....easy to do from underneath and retains the stock look.

Cheers,
Joe
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