Rear Shock Upper Mounts - Broken bolts

Wifs'98XJSport · 01-07-2008, 08:02 AM

I ended up cheaping out and went with the Rough Country 3" lift. I installed it this weekend, and most things went well.

I noticed the rear shocks were gone, and upon further inspection, noticed the upper bolts had snapped in the stamped perch.

Anyone have experience with these? I was assuming I should douse it with pen oil, heat it up, and try drilling and using e-z outs. Any better plans?

BTW, it's a 1998 XJ Sport.

TIA,
Theron

boondocksaint · 01-07-2008, 08:28 AM

That can be done, but on mine, we just drilled out the bolts, and re-threaded and put new screws in. The ez outs didn't work for us....

96JXJ · 01-07-2008, 11:34 PM

Use an air chisel & punch the weld nuts off. Then put new bolts in from the top. Takes about 5 min. per side. JIM.

Wifs'98XJSport · 01-08-2008, 10:41 AM

Thanks for all your help guys.

How accessible are the nuts from above? From what I could see, it looks like they're between stampings. You can't access it from the passenger compartment, can you?

96JXJ · 01-09-2008, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wifs'98XJSport

Thanks for all your help guys.

How accessible are the nuts from above? From what I could see, it looks like they're between stampings. You can't access it from the passenger compartment, can you?

You can feed a bolt or nut between the two. The only other way to get to them from above is to cut a hole in the rear cargo area. JIM.

snwchris · 01-09-2008, 10:46 AM

I had the same thing happen to me and air chisled the capture nut & broken bolt out. The bolt is too hard for using ez-outs, plus the air chisel is quicker.

I used a washer & bolt and inserted back down thru the top of frame perch. You can access this area between the Frame & Tub liner. I used a larger socket to help keep the Tub Liner lifted up so not to gouge or cut my hands from the liner. Hope this helps.

**turpehar** · 01-09-2008, 08:58 PM

I had the same issue. I used an air chisel to knock out the welded nuts. Next coat a nut with never sieze and use masking tape to hold the nut in place in a wrench. Poke a whole through to the threads and pre run the bolts through.
Feed the wrench through the access hole and screw in your bolts, then remove the wrench. It truly is a ten minute process.

Good luck, it was learned here on this website.

01-07-2008, 11:34 PM	#3
96JXJ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Louisville,IL Posts: 998 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Use an air chisel & punch the weld nuts off. Then put new bolts in from the top. Takes about 5 min. per side. JIM. __________________ 96@6 & 92@3

01-09-2008, 10:46 AM	#6
snwchris Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 343 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I had the same thing happen to me and air chisled the capture nut & broken bolt out. The bolt is too hard for using ez-outs, plus the air chisel is quicker. I used a washer & bolt and inserted back down thru the top of frame perch. You can access this area between the Frame & Tub liner. I used a larger socket to help keep the Tub Liner lifted up so not to gouge or cut my hands from the liner. Hope this helps. __________________ 97TJ / Shaved D60-14B / 106" WB / 42's / Detroits Front Leafs / Rear 4 Link Rock Mafia Offroad & Hitman Offroad