HELP! Shock mount broke!

[zavetsky]

Whilst attempting to remove the lower front shock mounting nut from the stud on the radius arm, the dang stung snapped............

I did a search and found that someone else had this problem and the fix suggested was to replace the radius arm......

How tough is this and would this be something better left to a professional garage? I like to think I am pretty handy as far as most things go, but I dont want to open a can of worms I cant finish............I had thought I read some threads that said that the radius arm was a pain to get off? What would typical labor be on something like this if I WERE to take it to a garage?

Or, is there another option? Can the old stud be whacked out/off of the radius arm and a bolt put in or would this be too risky?

I'm desperate...........I need the vehicle back together in just a couple of weeks in time for family vacation........and all this cuz I wanted to change my shocks........(Got some nice new Skyjacker Hydros!)

AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

ANy advice would be very much appreciated! Thanks folks!

 

[rpenner54]

I would think your best bet would be to replace it with a bolt rather then spending the time replacing the radius arm.

 

[zavetsky]

Went to the dealer...God forgive me.....

Well, not wanting to open a can of worms for myself, and what with approaching time obligations, I decided to wimp out and have it done..........

Called about 12 dealers and couldnt find the part......

Finally called one who had the radius arm AND a new set of poly bushings for both sides! $60 for the radius arm and $40 for the set of bushings......

The dealer was ALSO able to get me in today! He estimated $130 to do the one side, replacing the arm and the busings..........should be less for the other side (just the bushings, or at least I hope!)..........plus an alignment.........So it's definately a case of it costing more to install the part than it actually costs to buy the part!!

But I figured that by the time I figured out how to best do the first side and then deal with any issues I run into PLUS do the other side's bushings, I would have spent at least 10-14 hours on it...........just dont have that time right now and I need the car........Plus I'll have new poly bushings ! That with my new shocks and tires, I hope I notice a ride improvement!

SO...........they are supposed to have it done today.....I'll post on how it turns out!

 

[Trckmagik]

I had this happen to my 1992. I had ford fix it and it wasnt to expensive. I think the radius arm was like 40.00 bucks. I had to drive it to Ford with no shock on that one side though.

 

[zavetsky]

me too

Yeah, I drove there without one shock too....a little squirrly ride!




It turns out that Ford makes a kit to replace just the "pin" as they call it...........

The kit is $20, but the real savings is in the labor........

They also are replacing the bushings on both sides for me with Ford Poly bushings.........

They were almost done with the repair.......Then , when they were taking off the other shock on the other side, THAT mount broke too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And of course, they only had ONE kit in stock........

It'll probably be enxt week before I get my baby back.........


!@#$%^&*()!!!

 

[93EddieBauer]

Hey, join the club! I did that once and it was the last time I used an impact gun to do front shocks. The easiest and most inexpensive way to do it is to drill it out. If all you did was snap of the smaller threaded part, all you have to do is 1.)use an angle grinder to grind the stud off flat to the round piece that the shock slides on to. 2.)center punch the metal and drill a hole for a bolt, I think I used a 5/16 bolt, not sure on the tap drill size. 3.)use a tap to make threads for the new bolt. 4.)find some large washers and re-install your shock. You may also want to use some removeable threadlocker on the bolt. Hope this helps.

 

[FJK]

zavetsky respond pls

I put out an earlier post on same subject. Your comment that Ford has a service kit called a "pin" really caught my interest. By any chance do you or anyone else have the Ford part number for this kit? I need this for a 94 4X4. My Ford parts guy says they don't service this separately, a new radius arm is needed.

 

[zavetsky]

no part number

Sorry.......There are no part numbers listed on my invoice....

But I'll give you their phone number in case you might want to call them and get the info or even the part sent to you.......

Kenny Ross Ford, Inc.
724.864.3601

Hope this helps!

The Service Advisor that helped me was Tom Gustafson.......ask for him....tell him you got his name from me....

 

[Ric94]

The lower shock mount stud can be replaced by a universal shock mount bolt sold at Auto Zone for around $6.00.
Took only 10 min to do

 

[zavetsky]

The kits that were used on my Explorer were basically a stud with threads on both ends and a collar in the middle....the stud slips throughg the hole and a nut on one side secures the collar against the radius arm on the other....the shock slides on the stud end and a nut secures the shock..........

 

[FJK]

Here's the problem I have with the universal stud from Autozone, or should I say with what is left with the broken stud left on the radius arm.
On the vehicle, I cut off the sholder of the stud flush to what I'll call a spacer/washer that still remains on the radius arm. I drilled out (through) what was left with 1/2" bit. Now I have a mounting hole for the universal stud. However, the spacer/washer on the radius arm is still there & it is reduntant to the intregal spacer on the universal stud. I need to either get the spacer off the radius arm or get a stud without the spacer. On my 94, I can't really tell what is still retaining that spacer/washer. Probably more of the orignial stud shaft, which is 9/16" dia. That's why the Ford part looks desirable, assuming it's not a local dealer improvised part.

 

[zavetsky]

Could be......

It could very well be an improvised part......right from the shelves of Autozone, etc........

Basically it looks like you have to knock the old shoulder out...maybe heat it or air chisel off....

If I had known about the fix it kits, I would have tried it myself......But I paniced and went the dealer route......

Just like a drug junkie.......!