Broken upper rear shock bolts?! Oh my! Easy fix with no cutting.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It is a sticky in the Technical write up section. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/br...-guide-150384/ I have been reading through all nine pages of it since I have started to mod my jeep. Just did this trick while installing my new lift. I too dropped the bolts in from the top. Used a magnet to get three of them in and had to use mechanics wire to fish the 4th one through. Then you just give them a quick burst with the impact and they are tight. Works great!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
From: Lansing, MI
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I think some people made the issue out to be a bigger deal than it really is. It's really an easy fix.
This is one great way of doing it... personally, I used a couple retractable magnets. One to push the bolt in through the access hole, the other to "catch" it and pull it through the bolt hole. Slid an end wrench in there to hold it still and torqued the nut down. Piece of cake.
The fact that anyone has EVER suggested cutting into your floor to fix this "problem" shows how much terrible advice gets offered on this site.
This is one great way of doing it... personally, I used a couple retractable magnets. One to push the bolt in through the access hole, the other to "catch" it and pull it through the bolt hole. Slid an end wrench in there to hold it still and torqued the nut down. Piece of cake.
The fact that anyone has EVER suggested cutting into your floor to fix this "problem" shows how much terrible advice gets offered on this site.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Air hammer
My friend Marshmallow has been a good car. He's taken me and my friends on several urban safaris and even on tons of Florida trails in search of hogs.
His tired, old suspension was starting to bottom out on every rut, so I installed a full OME kit with HD springs in the rear and the coils up front. I also added the 10mm OME front coil spacer was necessary to giMarshmallow his factory stance, albeit a few inches taller.
Naturally, the upper shock mounts broke. I know this trick has probably been discussed here a million times, but I want to share it anyways.
OH DEAR!:
I tried to hammer out the nuts behind with a hammer and a punch, but I was just kidding myself. I went to Home Depot and spent the $30 for an air hammer, and punched them out. They came out easily!
Since there's an access point right next to the bolt holes, it seemed silly to cut the body. So I just taped a nut and washer to a wrench:
Then slid the wrench into the access hole, there's plenty of room:
With very little time and almost zero effort, you get this!:
His tired, old suspension was starting to bottom out on every rut, so I installed a full OME kit with HD springs in the rear and the coils up front. I also added the 10mm OME front coil spacer was necessary to giMarshmallow his factory stance, albeit a few inches taller.
Naturally, the upper shock mounts broke. I know this trick has probably been discussed here a million times, but I want to share it anyways.
OH DEAR!:
I tried to hammer out the nuts behind with a hammer and a punch, but I was just kidding myself. I went to Home Depot and spent the $30 for an air hammer, and punched them out. They came out easily!
Since there's an access point right next to the bolt holes, it seemed silly to cut the body. So I just taped a nut and washer to a wrench:
Then slid the wrench into the access hole, there's plenty of room:
With very little time and almost zero effort, you get this!:
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 952
Likes: 55
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 Cyl / 4L
Only when the nuts break off and leaves the broken bolts in the holes. The air hammer just punches the broken bolt out of the hole if it is stuck. You can use a punch and hammer to do the same.
Last edited by OldTires; Jan 2, 2017 at 08:06 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 739
Likes: 6
Year: 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK)
Engine: 3.6 V6
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
Shock bolt info
http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-xj-...-nut-1082.html, or use these
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 904
Likes: 3
From: Maine
Year: 1999 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
THERE'S AN EASIER WAY!!!!!!!!
Instead of fishing a wrench through the access hole with the nut taped to it, use a telescoping magnet and fish the BOLT through. That way if you need/want to change your shocks again, the nut is on the UNDER side. Super simple, way easier and quicker. And in case your bolts are long, you don't have to struggle with getting a wrench over them in between some thin sheet metal where you cant see.
Instead of fishing a wrench through the access hole with the nut taped to it, use a telescoping magnet and fish the BOLT through. That way if you need/want to change your shocks again, the nut is on the UNDER side. Super simple, way easier and quicker. And in case your bolts are long, you don't have to struggle with getting a wrench over them in between some thin sheet metal where you cant see.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
My friend Marshmallow has been a good car. He's taken me and my friends on several urban safaris and even on tons of Florida trails in search of hogs.
His tired, old suspension was starting to bottom out on every rut, so I installed a full OME kit with HD springs in the rear and the coils up front. I also added the 10mm OME front coil spacer was necessary to give Marshmallow his factory stance, albeit a few inches taller.
Naturally, the upper shock mounts broke. I know this trick has probably been discussed here a million times, but I want to share it anyways.
OH DEAR!:
Attachment 392108
I tried to hammer out the nuts behind with a hammer and a punch, but I was just kidding myself. I went to Home Depot and spent the $30 for an air hammer, and punched them out. They came out easily!
Since there's an access point right next to the bolt holes, it seemed silly to cut the body. So I just taped a nut and washer to a wrench:
Attachment 392109
Attachment 392110
Then slid the wrench into the access hole, there's plenty of room:
Attachment 392111
Attachment 392112
Attachment 392113
With very little time and almost zero effort, you get this!:
Attachment 392114
His tired, old suspension was starting to bottom out on every rut, so I installed a full OME kit with HD springs in the rear and the coils up front. I also added the 10mm OME front coil spacer was necessary to give Marshmallow his factory stance, albeit a few inches taller.
Naturally, the upper shock mounts broke. I know this trick has probably been discussed here a million times, but I want to share it anyways.
OH DEAR!:
Attachment 392108
I tried to hammer out the nuts behind with a hammer and a punch, but I was just kidding myself. I went to Home Depot and spent the $30 for an air hammer, and punched them out. They came out easily!
Since there's an access point right next to the bolt holes, it seemed silly to cut the body. So I just taped a nut and washer to a wrench:
Attachment 392109
Attachment 392110
Then slid the wrench into the access hole, there's plenty of room:
Attachment 392111
Attachment 392112
Attachment 392113
With very little time and almost zero effort, you get this!:
Attachment 392114
I'm a little jealous, gotta say it....
