Front Shock Absorbers; Bottom Mounting Bolt Snapped Off.

[nunslayer]

Hello everyone, first post on here! Recently, I was in the process of installing new shock absorbers on my 2WD '99 Ranger and ran into this issue. One of the bottom mounting bolts (I think that's the proper terminology?) snapped off when I was going to tighten the new shocks down. Are these welded from the top, or is it as simple as installing a new bolt? Also to remove this, can I take a puncher and a hammer to this and go wild? Or would that put the nail in the coffin to any simpler solution I may be missing? I'm fairly new to vehicle maintenance, and finding information about small stuff like this seems to be a pain! Would love to hear any solutions you may have or tips you might consider helpful.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Hit it with a punch and hammer...

Put it back together with a nut and bolt.

 

[Jazzer]

+1^

If the bracket starts to dimple you might need to drill it through to fit the new Grade 8 nut and bolt.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

You can try a punch, but I doubt it will work. A left hand drill bit will sometimes catch the bolt and unscrew it, but it looks to be rust welded pretty bad. I would use a center punch and just drill it out.

 

[nunslayer]

You can try a punch, but I doubt it will work. A left hand drill bit will sometimes catch the bolt and unscrew it, but it looks to be rust welded pretty bad. I would use a center punch and just drill it out.

Hammer and punch did not work, left handed bit I used destroyed itself, and tried everything I had on hand to no avail. I had to pick up a few things to make it happen, but I got it out by drilling. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[pjtoledo]

for future reference/searches

if the top was flat and round like a pancake it is welded to the control arm.

 

[Bill]

They are spot welded to the upper side of the control arm. If you take the tire off and look in the center of the spring you can see what you are dealing with. You will have to drill it out. I've seen videos of people who have also used a drill or dremel type tool with small cutting wheels cut the spot welds off the top. Some people just insert a lock washer and higher grade bolt through the top. Others weld the new bolt in place. You will have to remove the spring to do this.