HELP! Broken shock bolt. Safe to drive home??

[AnotherWs6]

Halfway to work on my 34 mile commute I heard a bunch of sounds like metal hitting my under carriage while on the highway. Long story short one of the front shock bolts let go. Truck feels fine, I keot hearing clunking but couldn't notice anything physically while driving.

1 - Is it safe to drive?

2 - Is the frame threaded or is it a nut and bolt setup?

3 - What is the correct hardware to use?

4 - Why would the PO use a stack of washers like they did? Both shocks were like this. I wonder if it is to make it clear the frame. Maybe they arent the correct shocks?

Broken shock bolt is passenger, intact is driver. I would appreciate any feedback. I'm a long ways from home, really sucks. My truck is not lowered BTW.

Pics coming up....

[AnotherWs6]

Here are the pics, I think...

[AnotherWs6]

It looks like replacement shocks come with hardware like pictured below. Is that what is correct to use? Will they fit in the stock frame hole or do I have to enlarge it? I just saw a thread where somebody said enlarge the hole and use something like this.

[AnotherWs6]

Any thoughts????

[chevy_mike]

The correct type of mount is like what is in the picture with the KYB shock. It bolts to the frame and then the shock slides on the stud part and held in with the washer and nut. My guess is the PO did not have the correct mounting stud and used a standard bolt with a bunch of washers to space it out. Not the correct way of doing it.

If the hole in the frame is torn out or enlarged too much for the correct mount to fit snugly, then you might have to have a large washer welded in, to fix the frame. I had to do that on a buddy of mine, whose mount was ripped out of the frame.

As for driving, remove the shock and you can drive it short a short distance being cautious of the handling as it will want to bounce around more on that side. It needs to get fixed before driving a lot on it.

[AnotherWs6]

Thanks, I have kind of figured out that the PO didn't have the correct hardware. I think that the hole is probably OK, maybe slightly enlarged.

I drove it probably 15 miles after I heard what I assume to be the washers bouncing off of the body of the truck and didn't notice much of a difference. Although I did hit a big dip that I drive over everyday and thought it bounced a bit more.

I can't remove the shock at work, it shouldn't do any damage as long as it doesn't flop down, right? I think I might zip tie it to the frame for now so it doesn't flop. The noise from it clanging over bumps is painful, had me really worried this morning.

I'm kinda stuck driving it far, and on the highway to get home. Or spend a couple hundred bucks for a two.

[AnotherWs6]

Anyone else?

[AnotherWs6]

Bump.

The factory mounting method doesn't look very strong either. What a bizarre way of doing things.

[72bowtiestepper]

Originally Posted by AnotherWs6

Bump.

The factory mounting method doesn't look very strong either. What a bizarre way of doing things.

You can get aftermarket brackets that reinforce the mounting stud. You may have to drill a couple of holes to mount the brackets though.

[72bowtiestepper]

Originally Posted by 72bowtiestepper

You can get aftermarket brackets that reinforce the mounting stud. You may have to drill a couple of holes to mount the brackets though.

Classic Parts.com has them....Part# 74-681 $29.95 for the pair (L & R front)

[AnotherWs6]

I appreciate it but that's not what I need. It looks like the new shocks that I just ordered come with the hardware. I'm not a fan of Monroes so I'll swap them out. I could have gone with these I think, as one of the reviewers said he used them on his 72.
https://www.amazon.com/Rubicon-Expre...orber+Stud+Kit
For twenty bucks more per side I get new shocks. I'm going to be jacking it up and taking the wheels off, playing with shock bolts, may as well change em.

[AnotherWs6]

I was really in a panic yesterday morning I guess, just a lot of stuff going on in general, the shock thing got to me more than it should have. I actually was able to get the bottom bolt off and remove the shock to drive home. Forgot about the tool kit I bought when I bought it an drove it home, still in the truck. I kept the speed reasonable and drive it home on the highway, felt fine. We'll see if it feels different with new shocks. The one I took off was very easy to compress.