Blah ran into a problem installing my shocks, cant get bolt loose

Element96x · 11-04-2008, 09:36 AM

Alright I got my shocks, and installed the front ones, went to the back and now when i try and loose the top bolts the whole thing spins, and i cant get the nuts loose. What do i do?

crcashman · 11-04-2008, 09:43 AM

It sounds like you broke the weld that holds the nut in place. I'd cut the bolt and put a new nut and bolt in place. There is a good write up around here that shows you how to put a downward pointing bolt so that you don't have to deal with this again.

Element96x · 11-04-2008, 09:45 AM

I figured, im just gunna take it too a shop cause I don't have the patients to do that. lol thanks

sprintagogo · 11-04-2008, 11:52 AM

I reckon a previous owner has replaced the bolts with a nut and bolt instead of the original bolt and captive nut. you will need to get a spanner into the back of the bolt to stop it turning. there is just about room to reach an open ended spanner into the void of the crossmember that the shocks bolt to.

XscottJ · 11-04-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprintagogo

I reckon a previous owner has replaced the bolts with a nut and bolt instead of the original bolt and captive nut. you will need to get a spanner into the back of the bolt to stop it turning. there is just about room to reach an open ended spanner into the void of the crossmember that the shocks bolt to.

I would go with what he said ! I Had to Do it As Well

89SAFARIXJ · 11-04-2008, 03:59 PM

**** MAN. that sucks. i wouldnt have the patience either.

-Sean

sprintagogo · 11-05-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89SAFARIXJ

**** MAN. that sucks. i wouldnt have the patience either.

-Sean

It's not that hard really, you just need to make sure you are not using a stubby spanner and you use your slim fingers!

**chris87xj** · 11-05-2008, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprintagogo

I reckon a previous owner has replaced the bolts with a nut and bolt instead of the original bolt and captive nut. you will need to get a spanner into the back of the bolt to stop it turning. there is just about room to reach an open ended spanner into the void of the crossmember that the shocks bolt to.

bingo, been there and done it to mine. actually not too bad and i've got big hands. it does require a calm dispostion and a little patience though.
i'd like to find that thread on how to get upside down bolts in there, just so i can check it out, but don't see how it would make much difference unless you're also going to get a mini-welder up there and tack the bolt head in place to keep it from spinning.

conrasm · 11-05-2008, 01:36 AM

Putting the bolt in from the top probably makes it easier to get a wrench on it. Since it's such a tight space, you might not be able to get a wrench on the nut if you use a bolt that is too long.

**chris87xj** · 11-05-2008, 02:03 AM

seems like i remember maybe and inch of clearance and three or four inches back in there to where the nut goes. i'm thinking i had to tape the nut into the open end of a wrench to get it in there. wondering how to get a bolt back in there and through the hole.

XscottJ · 11-05-2008, 03:59 PM

I taped a the nut to a open end wrench like to said and had a Friends hold a a Mirror and hold a flashligh it help out a good bit

crcashman · 11-05-2008, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris87xj

seems like i remember maybe and inch of clearance and three or four inches back in there to where the nut goes. i'm thinking i had to tape the nut into the open end of a wrench to get it in there. wondering how to get a bolt back in there and through the hole.

I forget how the guy with the write up did it. I'm changing mine in the next few weeks and I'm going to pull them through with a twisted wire. My trailer hitch came with a couple of wires that are coiled on one end to pull the bolts and backing plates through the holes from the opening at the end of the frame. It worked a lot better than I thought that it would and I'm just going to make something similar to those.

teenwithajeep27 · 11-05-2008, 05:27 PM

I had to drill the old bolts out then take out the carpet and cut out holes above the shock bolts. After that i just put new bolts in from the top. Took me a few hours

kyrik · 11-05-2008, 07:32 PM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^i did the same thing. i broke the bolts pretty quick though so i just cut got the carpet out and used cut off wheel to make holes inside. easy. about an hour.

teenwithajeep27 · 11-05-2008, 10:21 PM

take out all the rear interior

Cut out my holes to get to the bolts and bolt it

Filled the hole in the floor with old license plates and duck tape lol.