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[Barron]

Wrangler TJ 1997

Anyone had to deal with shearing the bolts which secure the top of the rear shocks to the chassis?

Read a bit about it and folk seem to think that easy-outs and drilling and tapping are a real git!

Also seen brackets on eBay which sit in place over where the old bolts would be. Seems like a good idea but the postage makes them mega expensive from the USA.

Any thoughts?

Cheers   

Brian

[Barron]

Seems like I'm the only unlucky one that this has happened to !!!!!

As it was the rear drivers side, drilling it out and tapping with an extended 8mm x 1.25mm tap was relatively easy. I did go through a few small drill bits trying to drill a pilot hole, but patience paid off and I was able to get the hole pretty much dead centre. Replaced the metric 8x1.25x30 bolt and job done.

The rear passenger side came off no problems, which was good as the access to the bolts is a little bit more tricky.

Top tip:- if you have to replace rear TJ shocks, get a torch and look over the rear chassis leg. You can actually see the ends of the bolts which hold the shock absorber to it's mounting point. With a good aim you can get your jet of penetrating oil straight onto it. Leave it a while and take it easy when trying to undo them.

Cheers.

[Arno]

I also step in this trap..

Looking on the US forum, there is loads of topic on just this...

While replacing the shocks, I snapped 1 of the bolts, even though I soaked it for about a week... I tried but could not drill it out as there was still a little bit still sticking out, and the drill keeps on slipping off..

In the end, I lift the body a bit and use a chisel to break the nut off (as these are just spot welded on) then replace it with a nut and bolt .. have to say, not the easiest to get it back on - but it worked in the end..
 

[dtooth]

Came across this on twitter using the rear sway bar bracket as a BPE

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/Suspension_Steering_Axles_and_Brakes/Rear_BPEs.htm

[greggmo]

done a few of these. just drill and tap em.