ok ok it isnt that bad at all it all depends how your bolt snapped.

 

I've since fixed this problem.

 

let me know when you're about to do it, i'll write it up or send you something, everyone is making this way harder than it needs to be.

 

you should just do a write up now, and then we can make it a sticky for all to see forever!

 

x2- I'll need to be doing this soon too so a write up on the punch out would be great!

 

its really simple, maybe a mod can take this, and maybe a write up on cutting and drilling from up top, and make a thread cuz this happens to everyone. i've done countless xj rear shocks and its never taken more than 5 extra mins, granted i'm in a professional shop full of the right tools. so it may take a little longer in the driveway. i've never had to, but in a worst case i'd drill from up top. i wish someone would've shown me this before i spent 2 hrs unsuccessfully drilling a broken shock bolt my first time.

obviously everyone knows there's a welded nut on the back up top between the body and the mount. this is really best with an air hammer, take a punch bit and simply pound the welded nut out, with the broken bolt in it. just hit it right from underneath where you would be drilling and it flies right out with a few raps. after that, simply install new shocks with a regular nut and bolt and flat washers. most cases you can fit a wrench on the back side. i can remember one time i think i couldn't reach it, so i fed the bolt in from the top with a flexible magnet, and started the nut and zipped it down with a gun without holding the other side.

this can be done with a bfh and a good chisel punch, it won't be as easy but it would still be my first step, and i'll never try drilling them again. i've removed other fasteners with extractors and drilling, but these shock bolts just suck and i don't think i've heard anyone say they did it by drilling successfully.

your first time may take an hour, but i do them frequently and it hardly even slows me down.