Does GM recommend replacing the bolt when replacing rear shocks?
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Golden CO
Does GM recommend replacing the bolt when replacing rear shocks?
I"m about to install my new Bilstein rear shocks at about 130K miles on my '03 C5 and I know in the last change at least (there were two previous shock changes not done by me), I did not replace that lower bolt or nut.
I just watched a YouTube (uh oh) on the process to refresh my memory and he quotes GM as saying, replace the bolt and nut every time you change out the shocks. But he skipped it himself.
I was all set to do this today and now, I'm going to hold off and see how difficult it is to even find that bolt and nut. I'm betting they're GM only parts, I tried GM Parts Direct. - no luck there.
(yes I'm doing new in front also)
Thoughts?
I just watched a YouTube (uh oh) on the process to refresh my memory and he quotes GM as saying, replace the bolt and nut every time you change out the shocks. But he skipped it himself.
I was all set to do this today and now, I'm going to hold off and see how difficult it is to even find that bolt and nut. I'm betting they're GM only parts, I tried GM Parts Direct. - no luck there.
(yes I'm doing new in front also)
Thoughts?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,786
Likes: 425
From: North Georgia, USA
The bolt should be OK to reuse.
The nut is probably a prevailing torque type "lock nut" and should be discarded and replaced if it is that type. Those nuts are a "use once" type nut, and may loosen in operation if they are reused.
That's the engineering behind it. Lots of folks reuse the nut, and very few work loose. Murphy and Darwin are often busy with other more serious matters.
The nut is probably a prevailing torque type "lock nut" and should be discarded and replaced if it is that type. Those nuts are a "use once" type nut, and may loosen in operation if they are reused.
That's the engineering behind it. Lots of folks reuse the nut, and very few work loose. Murphy and Darwin are often busy with other more serious matters.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
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From: Da U.P.
I've had my shocks out multiple times, never think twice about reusing the bolts and they don't magically work their way loose. I've done with the header bolts, head bolts on other cars, you name it.
Thread Starter
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From: Golden CO
THANKS
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Guinness Its whats for B'fast JAWGA
CI 3-4-5-9 Veteran
I don't know what GM calls for but I do know track cars that have had the bolt in and out many times without problem. The torque spec on the bolt is quite high and I would look it up before final assembly.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Golden CO