Blew out my shock mounts

[svt87]

Some 'spirited' driving this weekend led to 3 of the 4 bolts on my front lower shock mounts to be ripped out, along with the threads that were holding them in. Note: this is a 1987, not sure how that affects things. Anyway, I'm not really sure what to do now. I'm not sure that I've got much room to re-tap and install larger bolts, and even so it would seem that the metal on the lower control arm really isn't up to the task of handling all that force through just a couple threads.

Any suggestions?

[85crownHPP]

nuts and bolts.

[svt87]

nuts and bolts.

Have you actually done this before? I don't think there's really any room to put a wrench or socket or anything to hold a nut or bolt from above.

[Archangel]

How about the other way round - inser the bolts from above, and use not regular hex-headed ones, but the ones with round heads and square "wedge" portion of the stem under the head (kinda like furniture bolts, only in grade 8 steel) - that may take care of the clearance issues as the nuts and the lock washers will be on the underside the control arm. Haven't tested it, just trying to think logically here.

[turbo2256b]

I have put bolts and nuts in mine before. Is your ride height lower or higher than stock? Bump stops removed?Nuts will work from the top. I used ARP ss nuts and bolts. I have a lot of them from building engines with there dress up bolt kits

[svt87]

I have put bolts and nuts in mine before. Is your ride height lower or higher than stock? Bump stops removed?Nuts will work from the top. I used ARP ss nuts and bolts. I have a lot of them from building engines with there dress up bolt kits

My ride height is much higher than stock, however the coils on my springs are also much thicker than stock ones. Bump stops are all in place.

[Grand Marquis GT]

I agree with above...nuts and bolts..

MUCH stronger than stock!!

[DuceAnAHalf]

I agree with above...nuts and bolts..

MUCH stronger than stock!!

Grade 8 bolts have a Minimum tensile stregnth of 150,000 PSI

[Lincolnmania]

use 1/4 20 clips and bolts

[gadget73]

One of mine blew out, used the clip and 1/4-20 bolt and clippy thing method.


Ivan: those round head bolts with the square shank under them are called carriage bolts.

[Archangel]

Ivan: those round head bolts with the square shank under them are called carriage bolts.

Ya, those exactly, now I remember that's what the label at Lowe's read - thanks

[turbo2256b]

My ride height is much higher than stock, however the coils on my springs are also much thicker than stock ones. Bump stops are all in place.

You might need longer shocks.

[svt87]

use 1/4 20 clips and bolts

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[turbo2256b]

I have no idea what you're talking about.

I think he means U-nuts.

[gadget73]

Yes, thats exactly what he means. Couldn't think of the proper name for it.