Broke a Bolt While Replacing Shocks on Your Truck or SUV? Try These Tips!

For More Info visit us at: 1aau.to/h/cBP/
Replacing shocks is usually easy, just undo a few bolts, put the new shock in, and tighten it all back up. But what happens when the truck or SUV is old, or worse, rusty? You might snap a bolt! In this video, Len has some tips on how you can tackle a snapped rusty bolt, how you can try to prevent it in the first place, and what to do when all else fails!
Check out this playlist for more great tips from Len and the other mechanics at 1A Auto!
• Tips & Secrets only Me...
For More Info visit us at 1aau.to/h/cBP/
⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[@1AAuto]

√ *Watch the Video* √ *Buy The Part at 1A Auto* 1aau.to/m/Visit-1AAuto √ *Do it Yourself* √ *Save Money*

[@rondhole]

I wished you spray it with galvanized and paint the welding point because it will corrode really fast in rustbelt.

[@WAEMIDIV]

Rough Country makes a kit for this, where you punch out the bolts with an air hammer and slide a nut bracket over top to accept new bolts, thus avoiding having to weld

[@Nord3202]

The problem is the bolts are very soft grade. I replaced them all with grade 8 bolts using plenty of antiseize. I snapped two. Then drilled them out was able to tap out one & helicoil the other. Then clean, POR paint the mount area outer & inner. The nut plate also works but still needs plenty of rust proofing. Alot of those same size soft bolts used on the XJ unibody frame, replace them all with grade 8 bolts & plenty of antiseize.

[@GregorySerrano1986]

Len, great video as always, thanks bud! I've learned so much from you guys over the years!

[@kennetheady1347]

This has never never happen to me and I hope it never never will, but I'm glad to have saved this in case it does happen to me. Thanks

[@davidbaldwin2729]

actually there is a much easier way to go on the XJ. after all 4 bolts snap off which they usually do in the rust belt, hit the remaining 4 nubs with an air hammer and the welded nuts with the remaining bolt will pop off leaving the two holes in each body panel. then you can either sneak new bolts in from above using thin wire or string or you can buy these nice curved handles with two new nuts already welded on and slip that into the space above your two holes. they will line right up and each bracket comes with two new bolts, add your shock and tighten. these two bracket kits do cost 25.00 on the internet but they make it really easy as long as you have an air hammer.

[@lashlarue7924]

Great video! Informative and educational! Thank you!

[@alkalineph9446]

Nice video. I’ll have to learn to weld now. I want to do these types of repairs myself I love to service my vehicles throughly

[@jamesford1096]

So glad I don’t live in an area where they use salt on the roads in the winters.

[@NOLAnwa87]

It sucks so much

[@boots7859]

Its not nearly so bad if you run through the car wash every month during winter. $2.

[@bcs28fly]

Great tutorial. Thanks

[@NYERIC14]

Bro, You’re the best! Thanks

[@boots7859]

WOW, never seen that done. Might be normal, however that reminds me of the sketchy stuff that we might have done as teens. If it were me, my family or friends, I'd have just taken the time to drill with progressively larger bits to clean out the hole and then tapped it and then welded the first thread against the plate.

[@agaragar21]

Nice techniques !!!

[@kevindunlap8309]

I think someone needs decaf...Haha. Thanks for the video.

[@russelljohnson1486]

Good job

[@jamesriggs6210]

This is precisely why I'll pay a professional mechanic for many of my vehicle's needs. What a nightmare that was!

[@VeganGorilla555]

Great idea!

[@williamdiversi9562]

Great Job!! I saw someone drill a 1/2” hole through the frame using spacers and mounting the shock with a 6” bolt. Idk if I want to do that.. lol

[@zaccsacc5839]

Awesome, love his energy! Make him ceo of a1 auto

[@dub537h5]

I had to give this a like for the bouncing on the bumper hahaha

[@mikeevans6589]

Why didn’t you try to drill out the bolt, tap the hole then run in the ready rod and finish with a weld?

[@WhuchakaV]

because they will come back to him once the welds break and they need new shocks installed again duh

[@jasonroberts5746]

How about drilling the bolt out and using a tap to rethread the hole?

[@usa5046]

More than likely that would be best if that rust bucket was in the shape to do it. This car isn't worth fixing

[@desertlizard36]

same happened to me so i just welded the shock bar pin to the body directly if i have to change the shock ill need a grinder instead of a socket but its fine

[@1AAuto]

+TracyUwU Thanks for the feedback!

[@PerkinsFarm]

Had the same thing happen on my Jeep TJ...I drilled the holes out completely and put new blots from the upper side. Locked them down with a lock nut which left me with a stud like your threaded bolt.

[@1AAuto]

+Doug Perkins Thanks for the feedback!

[@SaltyRusCracker85]

Loved it💪😁👍

[@cydls688fatech7]

Good 👍 job

[@martymcfly3986]

excellent video! gotta love rust

[@mtall1331]

If easy-out doesn't work. Use a drill bit slightly less than bolt size and drill bolt.. Then use a broche chisel and collapse bolt inward.. Remove with vise-grps.. Use a bolt tap to repair threads.

[@1AAuto]

+M tall1 Thanks for the feedback!

[@jugubantan7740]

That was great

[@Steve-cs3tt]

Great video. I just bought new brakes from 1A Auto for my 1996 Chevy C1500 W/T. During the removal of my old brake I noticed one bolt broke off of my front lower shock mount. So I decided its time for new shocks and before I knew it all four bottom bolts were broke off. Drilled and tapped without luck. So now I’m at the point where I have completely drill out the old (which is a welded nut to the control arm) and install new bolts and nuts. My only problem is not knowing the type of bolt I need as far as the strength of the bolt. Any ideas. Thanks, Steve P.S. I’ll be ordering shocks from you all next.

[@lowellstokes5328]

Yup, misery when old bolts break, but you handled it well.

[@joestone4757]

hi where i live we don't have snow so very rare to have nuts rusted liked that but it was great to see how to tackle it

[@twosawyers]

Where I live we get snow, and let me tell you, that’s a unusual amount of rust!

[@MrBowNaxe]

Lucky you! For some unknown reason they still use salt where I live.

[@w829l5]

I really enjoy this guy, I can't help but get frustrated with him saying Verrricle.. but such a great person to explain anything.

[@davidcunningham00]

I have 1 that has broken off in my novas shock mount, thanks

[@ericgarner7180]

I have a 2007 Nissan maxima with a broken rear lower shock mount bolt broken off,any ideas?

[@chrisbutler8288]

I had a similar issue with my 99 grand marquis ls the lower a arm I can't get the bolt.out it snapped like yours did I am gumna weld a threaded rod on and bolt

[@terry.chootiyaa]

*That exactly what happens to my car suspension on the weekends .....dogging nights 😁😃👍*

[@marsman69mh]

Went didn't you also try PB blaster or another soaking lubricant? Or would that have been a waste of time and effort?

[@richardhaywood4123]

If you can get to the back of the shock mount could you just drill straight through and use nuts and bolts to hold the shock on?

[@brycelund4112]

Yeah for sure. It will just be a pain to have drill those out. But nice if you don’t have a welder on hand.

[@arturogomez2263]

What did you do for the bottom bolt

[@flycorvus]

What's that music in the background? I'm dying to get it. THX!

[@adamcharpentier1913]

2013 dodge dart issues. The bolts screw into the shock mount from under it .the nuts the manufacturer weld on are inside the body . Don't know what to do

[@bridgetphelan6664]

You're my favorite!

[@expendablesblackcrow1796]

Greetings from Styria, I am totally enthusiastic about you and your tips and advice👌👍💪. I have a concern and don't know what to do next with my jeep grand cherokee 4.7l v8 built in 2000. It only runs on 7 cylinders. The eighth cylinder doesn't like. I have the ..... Fällercot P0208 .... I have new injectors, new spark plugs, new ignition coils. AND it still runs restlessly and against the fällercot P0208. The spark plugs have sparks, the injectors also work and inject gasoline, what else can I do ?????. Thank you in advance. Greetings from Daniel Förster from Krennach

[@1AAuto]

+Expendables Black Crow We wouldn't be able to diagnose an issue like that here, you may want to have a local mechanic take a look at it. Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@wrightcycleworks]

Very common problem on XJs. Easiest solution is to use the sway bar end link mounts of the leaf spring plates, and weld them in the same spot as the top shock bolts. Ditch the bar pins and now you have easy replaceable shocks.

[@1AAuto]

+Wright Cycleworks Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@ascendantrobin3230]

nothing ever goes as planned on 20yr old Jeeps!!😅 the jumping on that poor XJ 🤣 great video as always!

[@1AAuto]

+AscendantRobin Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@river1403]

You were having some jolly good fun jumping around on the truck, weren’t you, Len? 😂

[@mikeashely8198]

Where you live at there must be salt on the roads in the winter time

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

That undercarriage was a mess 😂

[@Broman-es4sx]

The intro was hilarious

[@Joserocha-wm9de]

That pair of brand new shocks are worth more than entire vehicle 😂😂😂

[@29madmangaud29]

yeah,,, breaking a belt tensioner mount bolt inside of the BLOCK......uhhgh........ but,,, got it out!! Thank Jesus!

[@einsteincasino8539]

Time for a New SUV!!! 😃

[@reza_dc2]

What kind of socket was that

[@christophermckay961]

Ginger billy Jr at his finest 😂

[@abimmernut]

That's one rusty Northern truck! There's TOO much rust. I good demo car.....double meaning on that!😊

[@jayentertainmenta1123]

jingle bells at the end with the air gun

[@marcmigneault8364]

It might seem counter intuitive, but starting by heating the bolts themselves cherry red, and not not the material around it, usually works better. Heat breaks the rust.

[@barrymeyer2520]

Whats the deal with bouncing the back end to get shocks off?

[@christianadkins2305]

Honestly, I drilled a hole for a new bolt to go In.. should of tapped it, but I just sent it. Them body panel type bolts are perfect 9/10 times 😆

[@LatersOnTheMenjay.]

I love the fact that this doesn't show an ideal scenario. This is what most of us end up doing.

[@geohooptie]

Air chiseled or hammer and put new bolt and nuts rough country sell a attachment for the cherokee xj common problem

[@danman9017]

they is a adaptor that you put on a zip gun that you can put a socket and wrench

[@_doomzday]

Still trying to figure out what a veericle is

[@boltobye]

Happened to me less than 24 hours ago. 3 out of the 4

[@jongonegone1262]

loctite freeze and release , 3 times apply in a hour, then use your methods, things come out easier. $10 dollars a can because it works. plus your case here is extreme rust, that was a submarine.

[@MiguelMartinez-hm1hg]

Man that SUV looks like is been missing some love and passion 😅🤣😂😅🤣

[@KN1GHT2000]

We need more cherokee xj series!

[@1AAuto]

+Miggy Otaku Thanks for checking us out! We will continue making more videos about this vehicle. 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@slowazzes1972]

This is actually in the Haynes auto manual

[@joetakayama1866]

No lift or welder. Why wasn’t drill and tap for new bolts an option?

[@jtomtl]

Very bouncy ! Good for some inside car “fun” LOL

[@1AAuto]

+Tom Liu Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@moeshiner156]

This job is not for the novice. Doing these is a real pain in the A##

[@Bulletz4Breakfast13]

Starts off stating, "the strut mount is right next to the gas tank, we must not use anything with a flame or sparks" Then uses a welder with both and much hotter than torch and grinder 🤣🤣

[@ABQSentinel]

This truck is more rust than steel!

[@simplelangperorock]

Who else cried @ the beginning?

[@patrickhenigin4805]

So he can't weld well enough to get the bolt out, but his threaded rod is going to hold the shock without breaking off? That position isn't particularly easy to held.

[@usa5046]

That rust bucket nets to be crushed

[@johnlandry1393]

Why not anitsieze?

[@cutthroat0075591]

What is rust?

[@nadrojfan]

Rear bar pin flag nut. Buy one and save time and a headache.

[@joshuaruiz8440]

If ya cant beat them. Join them

[@1AAuto]

+Joshua Ruiz Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@thomaswhitten2537]

Personally, I would have used a good penetrating oil before anything. Not WD40!!! But....that's just me. :)

[@boots7859]

Never had much luck with penetrating oil. For the time, stink and money for them (PB Blaster sticks like hell), a $5 bottle of propane or butane will work 10x better and faster.

[@carterg6811]

The amount of rust on that jeep is dangerous. Ahh good old Fiat-Chrysler quality.

[@1AAuto]

+Carter G Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@FordExplorer420]

its time rip rust

[@1AAuto]

+Lost 1N Space Thanks for checking us out! 1aau.to/m/Shop-1AAuto-c

[@ironfistarrival]

That car is Full of rust and for sure it can not run safely on the roads , In my opinion it should be scraped and put out of the Road ! What do you think ?

[@boots7859]

I think you're insane. Rust is not an automatic sign that a vehicle is unsafe. Unsightly, yes.

[@idahospyder1620]

Yikes

[@fjzar]

Hahaha holy crap that was bad

[@dont-want-no-wrench]

i dont like that, you are really relying on your welding ability, which may not be up to it in a spot like that.

[@39FORTYWATER]

Why................. Okay appreciate the techniques only. But this junk rusted undercarriage. Wooo