Front Shock Mount

[MaddMatt]

HI Folks,
Recently bought a '76 40, and am fixing the issues one thing at a time..

Sorry there's no pictures, but I'm clearly too stupid to figure out how to post one.


Putting shocks on it, and noticed that the bolt on the front driver's side top shock mount is so loose it will actually rotate within the mount.


It's been soaking in WD40 for two days, but since it's so loose it spins, and there's nothing to really grab on the other side, I'm not having any luck breaking that big bolt free.

Can somebody confirm for me that if I get busy with the dremel and remove that big bolt on the left side, I'll be able to slide that thing out of there, and slide in the one that came with the new shocks? The mount itself is clean and rust free, so this looks to be the easiest solution.

Logic tells me that this has to be the case, but my logic has lead me down the wrong road before.

Thanks for any help.
-Matt

 

[nuclearlemon]

logic tells you correctly.

 

[65swb45]

Just a hunch here, but you'd better hold that new bolt up to the shock tower. Chances are, you will find that the new bolt is not long enough to go all the way thru the shock tower and get the nut threaded onto the other side.

 

[hammerhead]

Mark may be right. I got a set of those short suckers with some shocks a while back but as stated they were to short to use with the LC shock mounts. Better check before you start hacking...

 

[s79bj40]

Vice grips not working?

you might try tacking the shock side nut back onto the bolt so you can get another huge shifter onto it. Then just dremel the tack off when you are done.

 

[SizzleChest]

if i may jump in with my own scenario...

my lower front shock mount on the passenger side was broken off by the PO and is secured now with wire (thanks bubba). I haven't even taken it off to look for myself yet, but is my only option to weld a bolt on in its place and use that as a lower mount?

 

[hammerhead]

if i may jump in with my own scenario...

my lower front shock mount on the passenger side was broken off by the PO and is secured now with wire (thanks bubba). I haven't even taken it off to look for myself yet, but is my only option to weld a bolt on in its place and use that as a lower mount?

If it isn't missing you should be able to repair it. A good welder/fabricator could anyway.

 

[MaddMatt]

Thanks guys,
I'll check the length just to be sure.

That bolt's been on there nearly 30 years, so far I've not been able to overcome it with vise grips.
-Matt