Quick advice needed, rear shock lower bolt(?) loose...

[King_V]

All,

Ok, so today I noticed the car's rattling and riding a bit funny.

Turns out that the bolt (or is it called a cap-screw or something?) that holds the bottom of the shock to the axle is loose.

First off, what's that thing called?

Second, is it likely that the nut has just backed out, and I can just tighten it, or that the bolt/cap-screw/whatever-it's-called is streteched/damaged?

If so, where do I get another? Is it a common parts-store item, or what?

Naturally, I figure out what's going on in the car when it's too late in the day to do anything about it. Bleah.

[87_crown_vic]

see if it will tighten back up... what is the condition of the shock itself? is the rubber gone that the bolts run thru in the shock?

[Lincolnmania]

usually new shocks come with the lower mounting hardware

[Southern_Pride]

Its a bolt and nut. Mine came from the hardware store. Just tighten it back up.

[King_V]

Hrm, loosened it (actually took it out) - and noted that there was a pinched area with no threads, and clean metal, but I guess that's from rattling around yesterday.

I think the rubber is still there - was a bit hard to see things today, under the car, in the rain, and late to pick up my son.

Tightened it back up, which helped, although didn't cure it completely, but I think it's loosening. Didn't seem that the nut was all that loose to begin with, though.

I don't think they're too old - previous owner changed rear shocks last year (gotta dig through paperwork).

Maybe the rubber's just getting damaged - I hope the weather's better tomorrow so I can get a decent look at it....

Out of curiosity, where's the access point for the top mounting nut for the shock?

[85crownHPP]

you get to the upper rear shock nut through the thin area between the body and the metal its bolted into up there, or you can take off the wheel and go through the fender well. Buy ratcheting wrenches if you dont have any...

Also you should be able to get the whole lower shock mount bolt in the HELP section of your local discount auto parts store.

[King_V]

Whoops, well, now that it's stopped raining and I was able to take a quick better look at it . . turns out that the hardware's fine - BUT the shock itself isn't... bottom and top halves have come apart!

A shame, too. Previous owner put new Sensatracs in the rear in August of 2008, and they've only got 11,000 miles on them.

Ah well, at least they're running a free instal promo at Sears, and since the fronts don't match anyway, might as well get all four done - around $160 before tax.

[gadget73]

Free install? Take advantage of that stuff. Installing rear shocks on these is a pain.

[85crownHPP]

160 installed?? thats a good deal, even for crappy shocks.

[87_crown_vic]

i am having more issues with front shock removal... rear shocks werent too hard to do...

[King_V]

Well, I'm sure the shocks are available more cheaply than Sears sells them, so they ARE getting some labor money.

Still, shocks I've seen from the parts stores are $25/each. So I figure I'm only being charged $60 for labor, and I imagine the Monroe Sensatracs, while not top of the line, aren't the entry level shocks either.

Will have the car there tomorrow, although the holiday means it won't be done until Monday.

[DuceAnAHalf]

i am having more issues with front shock removal... rear shocks werent too hard to do...

for the tops of the fronts, just use an impact. just dont hit an A/C low pressure switch and break it like i did...

you can do it with a wrench and a quick wrench, just takes a while.

[gadget73]

If all else fails, use a socket and a long extension. Rock the extension back and forth until the stud on the top of the shock breaks.

[Southern_Pride]

Rear shocks are not that bad. If you don't have mufflers.

[King_V]

Y'know, I'm thinking this should be retitled "Adventures In Shock Absorbers!"

So, yesterday I call Sears, they've got the fronts and backs, at $157 for all 4 before tax. Won't be able to get to it Sunday even if I bring the car first thing, so I figure I'll just leave it overnight and get it Monday.

Well, I head in today, and the particular person I'd spoken with is not there. No biggie, except that the guy there looks up my stuff and says that he doesn't know how the previous person got the quote, but he's showing about $180 plus tax.

Well, that kinda sucks, but $20 more, that's only $5 more per shock, and the Sensatracs aren't entry level, so no problem.

Oh, and they're not in stock - it'd take a few days to get.

Meanwhile the other counterperson was listening in and started poking around, and found out how the guy on the phone yesterday got his quote - he looked up the cheapest ones, even though I specified Sensatracs. They do have 'em in stock, but I don't want the baseline ones.

Fortunately they were able to put in a call to another Sears, which listed having both the fronts and rears in stock, had them check and physically put their hands on them, and so I had to go over to the next Sears... and make a quick call to my ride to say "Uh, don't stop at this one, go to the other one."

On the plus side, they were able to install them today - and I got my car back today...

Still . . . . . it was just weird.

I should probably mention though that my life seems to be filled with events that are something between a boring story, and a very poorly written sitcom, with a touch of the absurd thrown in.

(like the time my estranged wife showed up with our then 1-1/2 year old son, to see a white locksmith's van pull up in front of the house, and myself and some woman at the front doorstep playing chess... but that's a story for another day)