Guys, I'm in the process of replacing my rear shocks. I went to loosen the upper bolts and snapped one off. I then hit the rest of them with PB Blaster and let it sit for about 45 minutes. I went to the other side to loosen a bolt just in case, and snapped that too. How do get the others out without snapping them, and how do I get the broken bolts out?

 

there's many threads on this since it's very common. You're probably going to break all the bolts (i broke 3/4 when i did mine).

Go to the hardware store and grab some replacement grade 8 bolts (4), washers (8), and nuts (4). I believe i used 5/16" X 1".

Find a friend that has air tools - specifically an air chisel. The nuts on the inside of the framerail are tack welded on. Use the air chisel to break the welds and remove the captive nut. Alternatively you can use a drift punch and a LOT of hammering.

Once they nuts are broken off, use some mechanics wire to fish the new bolt down from the top, and install the new shocks using the new bolts.

 

When I broke 3 of my 4 off, I drilled and tapped to 3/8".When I got my new next one one of the 1st things I did was to take off every bolt I could and put anti seize on them,seat mounts,shocks, skid plates bumpers etc.I am not going thru that again!

 

thanks a bunch guys. I appreciate the info. Gonna do what you recommend.

 

After breaking one, I deliberately broke the rest and knocked the weld nuts out with a punch and hammer. It's not too difficult to fish new bolts in from the top with a piece of tie wire inserted through the bolt hole. I used 3/8"x1". Make sure to go back and tighten them after a couple days. There may be some weld material left on top that will compress and let the new bolts loosen a bit. I actually had one fall out when the nut backed off.

 

When I busted mine off I used a punch and 2lb hammer to knock them through. Then I used a combination wrench taping the nut in on one side (the top) and slid it through the access hole till it was lined up. Wasn't hard at all, I replaced them with grade 8's and lock washers, like mentioned above.

 

Air chisel is your best friend. Tried for 20 min with a punch, then did it in literally 5 sec with air chisel.

 

x2

 

I sprayed mine up then took a MAPP gas torch and heated them (Just as I would do with an exhaust bolt-nut)- Quick impact and off they come.

Just gotta heat the nut enough to expand it a bit and the impact actually keeps them from breaking as 44opposedto constant force.JMHO

 

If you have a torch to heat them, use that to take out the remaining.
then get an easy out set from the autoparts, drill a decent size hole in the middle of the snapped off bolt, heat it with the torch and use the easy out set. yes a pain in the *** as broken bolts always are but you dont have to take off the tack welded nuts.

 

I'm just gonna tell you I tried that route for about four hours. Broke 3 ease outs in the process. Takes five minutes at most to knock out the old tack welds and ten minutes at most to fish the new bolts in easiest and fastest way of doing it.

 

Dukie is right, AIR CHISLE !!!! I wasnt gonna waste any time, it literally took me like 10 min, start to finish, that included a dr.pepper and a little debbie zebra cake!!!! Rock on with some brand new components!!

 

Detours has a great solution for this with there STM rear upper shock relocators. You can bolt them on or weld them on, I did both and they work great. check out there website. I think it is detoursusa or something

 

DEBBIE CAKES!!!!! I love those things!!!!!

 

Get used to it