Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

!#@$*!$#!%$@#, !%^#$# - broke a rear top shock bolt off

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 28, 2017 | 04:39 AM
  #1  
bradleyheathhays's Avatar
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 349
Likes: 4
From: Lexington, KY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default !#@$*!$#!%$@#, !%^#$# - broke a rear top shock bolt off

Well title says it all. It was turning back and forth just a smidge too...so stupid me for putting too much force on it. From what I've been told just working it back and forth adding BP will eventually get it out.

Any advice on what to do now that' it's just a sheered off bolt? It broke off even with the rest of the metal so at least the body of the bolt is accessible.

Any advice on using what's it called? a screw extractor or easy outs.

Or should I just air hammer the bolt body out and snake a new bolt in with some safety wire?

Actually I'd rather try to preserve the threads if I can first before punching it out.

I'm all ears.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2017 | 06:18 AM
  #2  
Cherokoolguy's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 117
Likes: 3
From: east coast
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L 6cyl
Default

Theres a chance that an extractor could work, but theres also a chance it won't (happened to me too). You may be better off by just drilling out whats left of the bolt and re-tapping the threads. But if an extractor or an air hammer does it for you, go for it. I hate those upper shock bolts man they are a PAIN.
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2017 | 06:30 AM
  #3  
investinwaffles's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 12
From: Tarpon Springs, FL / Denver, CO
Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

I got lucky and only broke 2 out of the 4.
Used a good center punch and a 4lb engineers hammer and popped it out.

I fixed it permanently by using bar pin eliminators and plenty of anti-seize

If all else fails, an air chisel (air hammer?) should make quick work of them and can be had at harbor freight for cheap
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2017 | 11:38 AM
  #4  
fb97xj1's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 338
From: PA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

I used Rough Countrys #1082 flag nut kit.

Reply
Old Sep 28, 2017 | 12:21 PM
  #5  
Tbone289's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 8
From: SEMO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L6
Default

I did the 'ol knock out the nuts with a punch routine years ago, and replaced with bolts from the top. If I were to do it again today, I would use the flag nuts.

It pretty much happens to all of us...
Reply
Old Sep 28, 2017 | 01:35 PM
  #6  
extrashaky's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 18
From: Florida
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
Default

Originally Posted by bradleyheathhays
Any advice on what to do now that' it's just a sheered off bolt? It broke off even with the rest of the metal so at least the body of the bolt is accessible.
Skip ahead to 47 seconds.

Reply
Old Sep 29, 2017 | 03:25 AM
  #7  
Scot's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Default

Just knock them out with a hammer and chisel or an air hammer if you have one. It's not that big of a deal to put nut and bolts up there with washers. I don't even bother anymore I just snap them off, it only takes a few minutes to put new bolts in and my hands aren't exactly small.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2017 | 09:36 AM
  #8  
bradleyheathhays's Avatar
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 349
Likes: 4
From: Lexington, KY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I usually like preserving things as they are but in this case I'm gonna take everybodys advice and just punch em out and put a new bolt in from the back side.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2017 | 09:39 AM
  #9  
CurrySoSpicy's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 5
From: York PA
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre I6
Default

Originally Posted by bradleyheathhays
I usually like preserving things as they are
That is a paradox when working on a Jeep.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2017 | 10:14 AM
  #10  
investinwaffles's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 12
From: Tarpon Springs, FL / Denver, CO
Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

I used to think that, until I experienced Jeep engineering.
Pretty much anything is more intelligent, lol
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2017 | 10:41 AM
  #11  
mattheww97's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 127
Likes: 6
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by bradleyheathhays
Well title says it all. It was turning back and forth just a smidge too...so stupid me for putting too much force on it. From what I've been told just working it back and forth adding BP will eventually get it out.

Any advice on what to do now that' it's just a sheered off bolt? It broke off even with the rest of the metal so at least the body of the bolt is accessible.

Any advice on using what's it called? a screw extractor or easy outs.

Or should I just air hammer the bolt body out and snake a new bolt in with some safety wire?

Actually I'd rather try to preserve the threads if I can first before punching it out.

I'm all ears.

Do not worry about the threads. What you need to do is take a hammer and a punch with some force to get them out.
Youre going to replace the bolt from the top down and secure it with a nut. Take some dental floss or thin wire and tie your bolt to it. You then need to feed it through the access hole that you can't fit your hand in. Make sure you don't lose your bolts in there, you will not get them back.

Good luck, this is one of the most frustrating jobs I can think of.

Last edited by mattheww97; Sep 29, 2017 at 10:44 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2017 | 10:46 AM
  #12  
Tbone289's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 8
From: SEMO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L6
Default

Originally Posted by CurrySoSpicy
That is a paradox when working on a Jeep.
Originally Posted by investinwaffles
I used to think that, until I experienced Jeep engineering.
Pretty much anything is more intelligent, lol
Ain't that the truth?

Think "improve" rather than "preserve".
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2017 | 10:47 AM
  #13  
Martlor13's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by mattheww97
Do not worry about the threads. What you need to do is take a hammer and a punch with some force to get them out.
Youre going to replace the bolt from the top down and secure it with a nut. Take some dental floss or thin wire and tie your bolt to it. You then need to feed it through the access hole that you can't fit your hand in. Make sure you don't lose your bolts in there, you will not get them back.

Good luck, this is one of the most frustrating jobs I can think of.
Ive done this job twice. Once with a method similar to whatv you described. Was about a 5 out of 10 in the frustration department haha. The second time in used rough country's flag nut kits and it was a breeze. There are tons of more frustrating jobs on an xj hahah......but in the moment it does absolutely suck.
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2017 | 01:52 PM
  #14  
extrashaky's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 18
From: Florida
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
Default

Originally Posted by investinwaffles
I used to think that, until I experienced Jeep engineering.
Pretty much anything is more intelligent, lol
Nope. My daily driver is a Subaru BRZ with a flat 4 boxer engine. The plugs and coils are on the underside of the motor. To swap the plugs, you have to disconnect the exhaust and motor mounts and raise the engine 4 inches. The published procedure is 16 pages and involves a special little crane that mounts to the shock towers to raise the engine without an external hoist, since you're supposed to raise the engine and THEN raise the car.

I doubt I'll ever complain about "Jeep engineering."
Reply
Old Sep 29, 2017 | 03:50 PM
  #15  
Tbone289's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 8
From: SEMO
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L6
Default

WOW. I'm glad you mentioned that. I was thinking about buying a BRZ/FRS for the wife. That's ridiculous. I would expect something like that from Porsche, but not Toyota/Subaru.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:52 PM.