Does this bracket need a spot weld? (1 Viewer)

[Crossthreaded]

I'm having my Fox 2.0 shocks rebuilt. These are the aftermarket brackets for the rear top bolt. The shock comes up through the bottom and the top eyelet is attached by a bolt through this bracket. The shroud covering the springs and bump stop has been cut away, so the top of the shock sits above that shroud and the bracket mounts from the bottom of the shroud. Kind of a PITA.

When removing the shock (which was last rebuilt by the PO in 2019) the bolts were amazingly galled to the inner ring of the bushings, and one had to be taken out with an angel grinder. I ended up cutting through the very small bridge that runs between the brackets and above the shock - it is highlighted on the bottom bracket in the image. I don't have a welder. Should I get this spot welded, or stuff it with JB Weld, or just assume it was part of the jig for building this and has no structural role? The welds attaching the brackets to the bottom plate are pretty burly.

 

[Malleus]

Those brackets look like they were fabbed using an angle grinder. I'm surprised they held any load at all.

 

[bhsdriller]

By the looks of them i'd probably start with new brackets

 

[Squeegee]

Hmmmm well if they were on the car before I’d assume that they’re fine…. They’re just not…. Pretty

 

[CharlieS]

Wow, the look like they were fabbed by a caveman. I'm guessing this is something the prior owner cobbled together to make shocks with the wrong mounting configuration (eye mount instead of pin mount) fit the 80.

I'd replace them. They don't look hard to make. Since you don't weld, maybe find a local fab shop to make a set.

Or install some shocks that actually fit the 80...

 

[Pascoscout]

I'm having my Fox 2.0 shocks rebuilt. These are the aftermarket brackets for the rear top bolt. The shock comes up through the bottom and the top eyelet is attached by a bolt through this bracket. The shroud covering the springs and bump stop has been cut away, so the top of the shock sits above that shroud and the bracket mounts from the bottom of the shroud. Kind of a PITA.

When removing the shock (which was last rebuilt by the PO in 2019) the bolts were amazingly galled to the inner ring of the bushings, and one had to be taken out with an angel grinder. I ended up cutting through the very small bridge that runs between the brackets and above the shock - it is highlighted on the bottom bracket in the image. I don't have a welder. Should I get this spot welded, or stuff it with JB Weld, or just assume it was part of the jig for building this and has no structural role? The welds attaching the brackets to the bottom plate are pretty burly.

View attachment 3735912

To directly answer your question. No, you do not need that connecting tab. Most shock tabs are not connected like that because the bolt through the shock eye holds them together.

That said I would seriously consider paying someone to build you a better set of brackets. Those look pretty sketchy. Those edges are way too thin, one good hit could break them and leave your shock just floating.

A piece of flat bar, a couple pre made shock tabs from Ruffstuff (or similar vendor) and someone with a mill or plasma cutter and a welder should be able to knock some out pretty easily. Heck, I hate to see people with scary stuff like that so if you are not in a hurry send me one of those so I can get some dimensions off of it and I'll make you two new ones no charge, you just pay costs for parts and shipping.

 

[CharlieS]

To directly answer your question. No, you do not need that connecting tab. Most shock tabs are not connected like that because the bolt through the shock eye holds them together.

That said I would seriously consider paying someone to build you a better set of brackets. Those look pretty sketchy. Those edges are way too thin, one good hit could break them and leave your shock just floating.

A piece of flat bar, a couple pre made shock tabs from Ruffstuff (or similar vendor) and someone with a mill or plasma cutter and a welder should be able to knock some out pretty easily. Heck, I hate to see people with scary stuff like that so if you are not in a hurry send me one of those so I can get some dimensions off of it and I'll make you two new ones no charge, you just pay costs for parts and shipping.

Super generous offer. Guys like you make this place a joy to be a part of!

 

[Crossthreaded]

Pretty clear direction! Thanks very much for all your comments. I'm heading to a fab shot tomorrow.

@Pascoscout - that is an amazing offer which I greatly appreciate. This is my daily driver (when I can't ride my motorcycle) and we have a reasonable group of fab outfits here. @CharlieS sums it up in his comment.

Will post some pix when this is over.

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