Best way to fix broken shock mount studs

[AaronW]

All:

So after days of soaking, heat, soaking, heat...., I broke both upper mounting studs for my rear shocks. I picked up some grade 8 bolts that should work but am contemplating the best way to fix them. I could cuts the mounting brackets off, drill a hold through where the original mounting stud is, run the bolt through, and then weld the brackets back on.

But the more I look at it, the more it looks to me as though the original mounting stud is just welded to the front of the bracket. At least, I can't see where it comes through on the inside.

So what's the best way to go here?

Aaron

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[bucket]

As long as you can burn it in good, cutting off the stud and welding a bolt in it's place will work fine.

 

[BearKing]

As long as you can burn it in good, cutting off the stud and welding a bolt in it's place will work fine.

This right here. ^^^^

 

[AaronW]

This right here. ^^^^

Thanks for the replies, that simplifies my life, not having to cut the rivets off to remove the whole mounting bracket. It looks as though the steel on the bracket is 3/16 or so, so I would think I'd be able to get a pretty solid weld on it, as you said.

Aaron

 

[WP29P4A]

You have several options. I searched "1989 chevy pick up truck rear shock mounts" and found a wide variety of solutions. You can replace the whole bracket if you don't want to weld. There are several shock relocation kits that look strong and could be installed in the stock location instead of relocating them. They also have brackets that are U shaped with a bolt going through the U and the shock to secure it instead of the stud type of mount, that seem to break over time.

If I was going to weld a bolt in place I would cut off the stud, drill the correct size hole and put a grade 8 bolt and nut in place, then weld it on both sides.

 

[bucket]

You have several options. I searched "1989 chevy pick up truck rear shock mounts" and found a wide variety of solutions. You can replace the whole bracket if you don't want to weld. There are several shock relocation kits that look strong and could be installed in the stock location instead of relocating them. They also have brackets that are U shaped with a bolt going through the U and the shock to secure it instead of the stud type of mount, that seem to break over time.

If I was going to weld a bolt in place I would cut off the stud, drill the correct size hole and put a grade 8 bolt and nut in place, then weld it on both sides.

There's two problems with the nut/bolt method. First is finding a grade 8 bolt that is fully threaded. Second is those threads at the base will make it much more likely to break. When a shock is mounted in single shear, it's very important to have that smooth shoulder for strength.

 

[WP29P4A]

There's two problems with the nut/bolt method. First is finding a grade 8 bolt that is fully threaded. Second is those threads at the base will make it much more likely to break. When a shock is mounted in single shear, it's very important to have that smooth shoulder for strength.

That's a great point and part of the reason I started with "if I was going to weld a bolt" I would count that as a temporary fix. Your point about finding a long enough bolt that is fully threaded is something I have run into on several occasions. LOL I just looked at the picture again, not enough room behind the bracket to get the right size bolt in place, so a moot point I guess.

 

[AaronW]

LOL I just looked at the picture again, not enough room behind the bracket to get the right size bolt in place, so a moot point I guess.

yeah, that's why I was contemplating cutting off the rivets that hold on the brackets, drill a hole, inserting a bolt, and then welding the brackets back on.

I ended up trying the weld-on-a-bolt method. I hooked up the shock at the bottom end, and then was able to see where the upper bolt would rest, so I could grind the head to the right angle to meet the mounting bracket.

We'll see how it works. I'm going to be putting on a flat dump bed, so if the bolts break off, it won't actually be that hard to do something beefier. Am planning putting a set of air bags on it though, so maybe it won't be an issue.

Aaron