Broken rear shock mounting bolts -- help!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 2
From: High Bridge New Jersey
Broken rear shock mounting bolts -- help!
Well, I am out of ideas and hope somebody here can help.
Recently I changed 3 out of the 4 shocks on my 1991 Coupe, no problem. When I got to the left rear, BOTH upper mounting bolts completely sheared off flush with the frame, from the looks of it they were the original bolts (and shocks).
I have tried *everything* to get them out, soaked them with PB Blaster, EZ-outs, Alden broken-bolt extractors, you name it; the only thing I have accomplished is snapping off one EZ out in the front bolt stub.
There seems to be no access to the top of the bolts in the frame member, if there was I think I could get the broken pieces out.
I am just about ready to bring it in to my local mechanic who has helped me out before, but before doing that I would like to get any thoughts from you guys/gals, especially if you may have run into this problem yourselves.
Thanks all!
Joe
Recently I changed 3 out of the 4 shocks on my 1991 Coupe, no problem. When I got to the left rear, BOTH upper mounting bolts completely sheared off flush with the frame, from the looks of it they were the original bolts (and shocks).
I have tried *everything* to get them out, soaked them with PB Blaster, EZ-outs, Alden broken-bolt extractors, you name it; the only thing I have accomplished is snapping off one EZ out in the front bolt stub.
There seems to be no access to the top of the bolts in the frame member, if there was I think I could get the broken pieces out.
I am just about ready to bring it in to my local mechanic who has helped me out before, but before doing that I would like to get any thoughts from you guys/gals, especially if you may have run into this problem yourselves.
Thanks all!
Joe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth Virginia 396LT4 435RWHP/400RWTQ Best so far 11.26 @ 123mph
Have you considered pulling out the plastic left rear wheel well housing to get at them. They should be visible and easy to get to with vise grips if theirs any bolt thread left above the nut in the frame. Removal may at least offer another possible repair alternative.
Rick
Rick
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 2
From: High Bridge New Jersey
Yep
Have you considered pulling out the plastic left rear wheel well housing to get at them. They should be visible and easy to get to with vise grips if theirs any bolt thread left above the nut in the frame. Removal may at least offer another possible repair alternative.
Rick
Rick
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Last year I replaced all my shocks and the left rear upper bolt wouldn't budge. We finally had to use a hand held cutoff abrasive disc to cut the bolt on either side of the shock and even then we had to use an air impact wrench while someone used a hammer and a punch on the bolt to remove the bolt head portion. Good thing it was on a lift, otherwise we wouldn't have had a chance. That was the hardest to remove part on any car I have ever worked on.
