while installing my lift kit i snapped one of the upper rear shock bolts for the rear shock on the passanger side... i tried but could never get the thread out of the hole, so i figured it'll be fine with just one bolt holding the shock.

i was wrong, ive been hearing rattling and finally i checked and ive been running with the back shock not even connected.. i tried these grabbit tool bits but nothing has worked... how dangerous is it to drive with this shock disconnected? and any advice getting the thread out?

 

i drove mine for awhile cause the same thing happened to me and nothing went wrong but then just drilled the bolt and used easy outs to get them out

 

You could do one of two things .
1. Drill out the bolt from the bottom . Which is a PITA . or you could ...
2. Go into the rear of your XJ . Pull back the rear cargo area carpet all the way to the rear seat . Go under your XJ . Right in between where the shock bolts go into the floor boards , there should be a small hole . Drill into the that hole up through the floor boards . Once you are through the floor , take an angle grinder and cut out a 5x5 inch "C" aound the hole you have drilled . Peel back the "C" to expose the rear shock bolts from above . Then drill them out from the top . Get some new Grade 8 bolts from Home Depot or Lowes and inset them from the top side . Have someone go under the XJ and install the shocks . Apply the washers and nuts to the bolts . Fold down the "C" notches (tack weld them if you want to) and re-apply the carpet .

 

I drove mine forever with only one shock in the rear you will be fine

 

I've done both . I like the second one more . It gives you a stronger choice of bolt too .

 

I just ground mine down and welded new bolts on.

 

Get an air hammer, knock the welded nut off, get some bar eliminators, install, install the shocks. Never have to worry about getting a shock out of there again........This is what I did and it wasn.t to bad of a project.

 

i welded new brackets up and it is holding great

 

I've seen lots of guys ride with only one shock in the back for the exact same reason. It's just a little bumpier and easier to bottom out your bump stops, but it's fine. If it were the front that would be different, but the rear leafs don't flex as much.

 

I agree, I air chiseled mine out and just got some new bolts with locking nuts, zapped them on tight with an air ratchet and worked great. Those things always snap, and it's just a little tab hold the nut.

 

i just turned the new shocks at 90 degree angle off the stock holes that had the broken bolts. then i marked the hole locations and drilled new holes and mounted them with the rear sway bar bolts using an impact gun. doing great so far. took me probably 15 minutes for both sides.