I dont know how, but the lower shock bolt fell out today. A few weeks ago I put in new shocks, and I know I tightened them all but I didnt use locktite since I didnt think it was necessary. Anyhow, I am going to the dealer tomorrow but if they dont have it in stock, does anybody know the thread size, length of bolt, and length of the shoulder for the bottom shock bolt? I can always pull out the other side, but would like to avoid it if anybody here knows the size.

And this is also a warning for everybody to be sure to use locktite if you change your shocks. There are a lot of threads that stick out past the welded nut on the chassis, so I cant figure out how it got out. Also, the metal insert inside the rubber bushing pulled way out and I have to figure out how to press it back in without destroying the bushing.

 

ha, that sucks... mine came out yesterday on the way home from work ( passenger rear ). i ended up raisin the car up with the air ride, and removing the shock ( glad i had some tools with me ). I limped over to autozone, and picked up a universal shock mount bolt. its a 1/2" X 2 1/2" bolt with about an inch of unthreaded shank, and coarse threads. they had a drawer of them in the back, and i went through til i found the one that looked best. i also put a lock washer on to prevent it from becoming loose again.

 

Mine was the drivers side. I heard a clunking sound and thought it was something in the back (tons of tools and stuff for the other car I am building). When the noise continued, I looked under the car and saw the shock hanging there. Did you recently change yours, or were they the factory originals? I am going to put locktite on both of the back ones tomorrow.

But the million dollar question is---why are they falling out? There is not any stress twisting them.

I do feel a little better knowing that I am not the only one, though. Thanks for writing.

 

well... i guess i didn't tighten the bolt back up after i put on the air bags . they're the stock shocks, which i gotta replace soon. mine kinda started grinding inside the lip of the rim. no damage to the rim, but the shock got kinda scuffed up. i pulled over right away ( i saw the bolt fly, and knew what it was) . just for some info; pullin a shock while halfway on/off a back ass Louisiana road with traffic, is not fun.

 

I have the bolt on order with a dealer. In the meantime, I went to my friends shop and they had a bolt I am using temporarily. It is almost the same without the large washer on the head. BUT-the threads were stripped in the front of the welded in nut. When the bolt backed out, the wheel must have hit it and destroyed the threads. I was wondering how the tube inside the rubber got pulled out, and it must have happened when the wheel pulled the bolt out. Nobody had a 14 mm tap, so the mechanic made one with another bolt and a die grinder (he cut 4 slots in the bolt). Now all is well.