I need 2 new lower shock mounts, fast.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Troy IL
I need 2 new lower shock mounts, fast.
Strut rod replacement started off very easy. I was able to pull everything off except for the lower shock mounts. It was a real pain to get everything unbolted and then hit a wall in the process. I'm going to have to cut the lower shock mounts out and put new ones in. I've called a few of my local auto parts stores and no one happens to have it. I'm going to call a dealer next...but they could charge an arm and a leg for them!
I'm looking for the left and right lower shock mounts
Any ideas where I can find this part and get it in a day or two?
I'm looking for the left and right lower shock mounts
Any ideas where I can find this part and get it in a day or two?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: I need 2 new lower shock mounts, fast. (Phoenix79)
Vette Brake Products has them. 2 will cost you around $100 as I recall.
I had problem getting my left one out. I coated it with penetrating oil, not WD-40 but some stronger stuff that NAPA recomended and then pounded the h*ll out of it. It will eventually come out.
A word of caution. Don't pound on the end of the bolt or with the castle nut on. I did the later and destroyed the castle nut and had a hard time finding a new one.
Go to one of the hardware stores and get several nuts and screw them on until you just have a very small width between the nut and the frame. Hammer until it moves, then screw out a little and repeat the process. This will minimize the possibility of damaging the threads.
Good luck. It was a pain but eventually came out.
Bob
I had problem getting my left one out. I coated it with penetrating oil, not WD-40 but some stronger stuff that NAPA recomended and then pounded the h*ll out of it. It will eventually come out.
A word of caution. Don't pound on the end of the bolt or with the castle nut on. I did the later and destroyed the castle nut and had a hard time finding a new one.
Go to one of the hardware stores and get several nuts and screw them on until you just have a very small width between the nut and the frame. Hammer until it moves, then screw out a little and repeat the process. This will minimize the possibility of damaging the threads.
Good luck. It was a pain but eventually came out.
Bob
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: I need 2 new lower shock mounts, fast. (Phoenix79)
Why do you have to cut them out? If you remove the nut you CAN NOT turn them, they have a flat side that falls into the arm on the hub.
The metal is pretty soft (the threads are damaged easily) so use a block of wood and what it with a hammer, it will come out.
Here you can see the flat spot in the lower ear.
[Modified by Twinnie, 9:53 AM 9/27/2002]
The metal is pretty soft (the threads are damaged easily) so use a block of wood and what it with a hammer, it will come out.
Here you can see the flat spot in the lower ear.
[Modified by Twinnie, 9:53 AM 9/27/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Re: I need 2 new lower shock mounts, fast. (Phoenix79)
Take the castle nut with you to the hardware store and buy a bolt that fits it. Screw the bolt in halfway then tighten the nut to the shock mount. This gives you a pounding surface that won't damage the threads. Use PB blaster and let it sit for a couple of hours. Back up the opposite side with an anvil to reduce give and :smash: . If you're still not getting anywhere, pull out the propane torch and get everything hot. They WILL come out without cutting. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Troy IL
Re: I need 2 new lower shock mounts, fast. (Bobchad)
Well theres half the problem. The first 3 threads are damaged thanks to my "gentle" tapping. I'm not sure if I can fix the threads using a tool *Forgot the name of the tool* The quick and less strenous way would be to cut them out and put new mounts in along with my new smart struts. I'll have a little less cash but the chances of me breaking something else or going nuts trying to bang the mount off are zilch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 792
Likes: 2
From: Norcross GA
Re: I need 2 new lower shock mounts, fast. (Phoenix79)
Phoenix,
If you only damaged the first three thread you will be ok. The nut goes well beyond that so strength will not be compromised. The new nuts will put enough of a thread on to get the castle nut below it.
I don't know how you are going to cut them out. Cut the ends and then try to drill through the frame? That sounds like a lot of work.
I would go with the tried and true if it were me.
Bob
If you only damaged the first three thread you will be ok. The nut goes well beyond that so strength will not be compromised. The new nuts will put enough of a thread on to get the castle nut below it.
I don't know how you are going to cut them out. Cut the ends and then try to drill through the frame? That sounds like a lot of work.
I would go with the tried and true if it were me.
Bob
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Troy IL
Re: I need 2 new lower shock mounts, fast. (Bobchad)
Hmmm. Well its at the auto shop on base. The mechanics there said cutting them out would be easier. One particular mechanic who has had to do the same on his vette recommended it. Now the strut itself moves back and forth in the carrier, it's enough room to cut through the center of each shock mount. Me personally would like to just pull the mount out. But the first 3 threads were bad enough that the castle nut wouldn't attempt to bolt on. I suppose I could reshape the threading a bit. The shock mounts just look welded to the carrier. I saw no seam or trace of two parts intergrated. Ah well if the Vette was here I'd be messing with it. Grr this Vette just likes being hard headed at the last minute!
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