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

 

[SteveVB]

I had a really hard time getting my rad arms off of the axle. I soaked and heated and used my impact wrench on them no go, finally called a guy who worked on heavy equipment and he brought over a 1" impact wrench and got them off for me. The bolts were bears, they are torqued to over 200ft/lbs so if you have access to air tools then maybe, or really long breaker bar if your lucky but I think taking it someplace may be a good idea.

 

[Maniak]

Depending on where it broke you can just get it welded back in. Ours broke flush with the radius arm. I had a 4x4 shop in town weld it back on for us.. That was about 40k miles ago.. and haven't had any problems with it since then.

 

[zavetsky]

where it broke

Mone broke off right at the threads.....

I ended up taking it to a dealer who had a radius arm in stock........

Turns out, his tech found a kit they have for just this problem...apparantly they knock the old one off and a new one goes in some way........The kit is $20 versus $65 for the new radius arm plus $130 labor.........

Funny thing is , when they wnet to remove the other front shock (I figured they might as well do that one too...) that one broke as well.....and of COURSE they dont have a second kit.........They are gonna try getting one tomorrow but I'll figure on not having the truck back till mid next week.................#&%#%&#&%#&#*I)(*&_&^&^$$@#@!~~~~!!!

 

[Gary Steeber]

zavetsky,

I snapped one of the shock mount studs off 2 years ago.
I went to a suspension shop, actually a four wheel drive parts center. They had a replacement shock stud.
I ground the old stud off, drilled a half inch old through the radius arm and inserted the stud. I went ahead and did the other side too as the new studs were stronger than the OEM studs. The entire fix cost about $10.
I recently changed everything out with a superlift kit, but I still have my stock radius arms in the garage.

Good luck, you can fix this problem.

 

[JWood]

Motorcraft shocks or Aftermarket?

With 135,000 miles on original shocks in my 93 XLT 2WD 4DR, I'm guessing the shocks could be wearing out, though no noticable symptoms exist.

Any commments on Motorcraft, Gabriel, Monroe for a stock Explorer would be appreciated; ride, comfort, fit......

Ford dealer has Motorcraft "on sale" for $99/pair installed.

Also, for appearances only, I was wondering if there is a way to make the truck look "level". The front wheel well is 3/4" lower that the rear. I'm considering 30x9.50 tires as well as I await ATX replacement. Any comments on this...?


Thanks

 

[zavetsky]

Am I a chump?

Well, I got my Explorer back from the dealer today...........

They changed the radius arm bushings and fixed the two broken shock mounts and installed my new shocks........

Total damage: $286 labor and $40 in parts (the bushings).......

I had called around and found that it was about $90 per side to do the bushings.....so, basically, they charged me $50 per side to do the stud fixes....the hardware was supposed to be $24 for both sides, but they "didn't charge me".......

I feel like I may have gotten the short end of the stick, though the truck IS back together, rides MUCH better and I feel pretty confident that it was done right.......

They also "threw in" a rental car since they had to keep it over the weekend to wait for parts.......

SO.........how big a chump am I ?? I never have really trusted dealers...just a lot of bad experiences I guess....Any thoughts? (Boy, I guess I am really asking for it, eh?!!?!?)

 

[brianb9]

I had the same problem when I changed my shocks and used the same fix mentioned earlier of just grinding the rest of the broken stud level and then drilling a 1/2" hole for the stud replacement which is stronger and won't break again like a new radius arm might. The parts were only $5.00 at my local 4 wheel parts store. Radius arm bushings in heat resistant urethane are probably $15-$20. What your paying for is labor and at anywhere between $50-$75.00/ hour you did okay because both jobs take some time.

Hope this makes you feel a little better! Although if you do the jobs yourself you will find parts are genrally minimal cost compared to the time you invest. If you have the time to spare you definitely learn alot and have the satisfaction of knowing you did the job right and better than most dealers.

P.S. I'm not a big fan of dealers as I have found they don't do the work as well as I do.

Brian