Shock damper: Stuck bolt on upper mount
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: MA
Shock damper: Stuck bolt on upper mount
Hi, 2001 Corvette C5 here. I was replacing my rear dampers today with some new Bilsteins-- the bolts for the upper shock absorber mount on the driver side came out no problem, but on the passenger side, one of the bolts is extremely difficult to turn.
I'm afraid if I keep trying to turn it, the head is gonna break off. I supported the shock with a jack on the control arm assembly, and one bolt comes out no problem, but I think the threads on the other one might be cross-threaded or damaged.
Has anyone run into anything like this? It looks like there is no access to the top of the strut tower, so if I manage to get the fastener out (either by drilling or just through a lot of force), the threads are probably damaged, the best I think I'd be able to do is drill a larger bore and retap.
If I do break it off, what's the best course of action? Threaded insert? Cutting an access panel through the tub?
I'm afraid if I keep trying to turn it, the head is gonna break off. I supported the shock with a jack on the control arm assembly, and one bolt comes out no problem, but I think the threads on the other one might be cross-threaded or damaged.
Has anyone run into anything like this? It looks like there is no access to the top of the strut tower, so if I manage to get the fastener out (either by drilling or just through a lot of force), the threads are probably damaged, the best I think I'd be able to do is drill a larger bore and retap.
If I do break it off, what's the best course of action? Threaded insert? Cutting an access panel through the tub?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 2,800
Likes: 456
From: USA
2001 shocks
I had a similar problem with my c5 as well. One side came out just fine, but one bolt on the passenger side was as you are describing. I stopped before a twisted off the bolt. I sprayed PB Blaster and let the spray oil soak for a couple hours and sprayed it again. I waited overnight and then tried it again. This time I went very slowly back and forth with the bolt continuing to spray the bolt as I turned it out and was finally able to work it out. I used a new bolt and used a thread restorer in the tower threads and all was well. Use a lot of PB Blaster and go back and forth with the bolt and hopefully you can get it out without twisting it off.
If it twists off and if you have access to a welder you can weld a nut to the broken bolt and then back it out. The heat of welding also will help loosen the tight threads as well. Good luck and use some anti seize on the bots when you put them back in.
If it twists off and if you have access to a welder you can weld a nut to the broken bolt and then back it out. The heat of welding also will help loosen the tight threads as well. Good luck and use some anti seize on the bots when you put them back in.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: MA
I had a similar problem with my c5 as well. One side came out just fine, but one bolt on the passenger side was as you are describing. I stopped before a twisted off the bolt. I sprayed PB Blaster and let the spray oil soak for a couple hours and sprayed it again. I waited overnight and then tried it again. This time I went very slowly back and forth with the bolt continuing to spray the bolt as I turned it out and was finally able to work it out. I used a new bolt and used a thread restorer in the tower threads and all was well. Use a lot of PB Blaster and go back and forth with the bolt and hopefully you can get it out without twisting it off.
If it twists off and if you have access to a welder you can weld a nut to the broken bolt and then back it out. The heat of welding also will help loosen the tight threads as well. Good luck and use some anti seize on the bots when you put them back in.
If it twists off and if you have access to a welder you can weld a nut to the broken bolt and then back it out. The heat of welding also will help loosen the tight threads as well. Good luck and use some anti seize on the bots when you put them back in.
