Shock nut busted, what to do?

There are lots of threads on dealing with those upper shock bolts. I tried many of the suggestions (except I'm not brave enough to use a torch next to my plastic gas tank) but ended up grinding the spot welds off of the nut using a slightly worn 3 inch grinding wheel chucked into a drill working through the large hole between the shock bolts. I replaced the factory hardware with a similar sized bolt and nut. I could have saved a lot of time if I'd tried this first.

I was told another way was to use a air hammer and hammer the nut off and replace the bolt and whatnot....your idea seems good as well

I tried a cold chisel with a BFH to pop the spot welds - they held on and the sheet metal began to pull up around the nuts so I had to try something else. Because so many folks suggest that method, the spot welds must be weaker on some years of TJs or maybe those built on Monday morning. The welds on 2004 Khaki TJs aren't easy to break.

Ill give it a try and if no dice then then your way it is. Like they say every jeeps different...hope mines not the stubborn one haha

I recently sheered the head of my rear upper shock bolt. I purchased a pair of bar pin eliminators, had them welded to the frame, right were they would bolt up. Your done & the mount is far better than that stupid bar pin.

How are you guys reaching the nut in order to replace it?

cadeucsb said:

How are you guys reaching the nut in order to replace it?

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YOu could loosen your body mount bolts like you would to put a body lift in, remember to disconnect the fuel filler at the plastic surround that goes into the tub , lift the body of the jeep and place something for the body to rest on while you work on the shock mount ,

unless you already have a body lift in which case you should be able to access the top of the shock mount.

cadeucsb said:

How are you guys reaching the nut in order to replace it?

Click to expand...

If you're trying to cut the nut out, you can reach it with a Dremel or small grinding wheel on a drill through the large hole between the shock bolt holes.

Noxian said:

YOu could loosen your body mount bolts like you would to put a body lift in, remember to disconnect the fuel filler at the plastic surround that goes into the tub , lift the body of the jeep and place something for the body to rest on while you work on the shock mount ,

unless you already have a body lift in which case you should be able to access the top of the shock mount.

Click to expand...

disconnect the fuel filler from the cap side or from the inside of the tub?

cadeucsb said:

disconnect the fuel filler from the cap side or from the inside of the tub?

Click to expand...

I did mine from the fuel filler cap end, just 4 screws and its loose, just makes sure to take off the cap and put a rag or something to keep dirt and debris from getting in your tank while you are working.

This should help


Check out around 2:28