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Ambie '64 · 04-12-2008, 05:44 PM

I guess I don't know my own strength (and apparently not the strength of the bolt holding the shock on the bracket), but I've twisted off two of the upper spindles that are welded onto the bracket. Is there anyone who has replaced these? Are there parts available anymore? Finally, what is involved in getting a resolution to my dilemma?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ambie '64 · 04-12-2008, 05:54 PM

my apologies for the double post...one of these days, I'll figure out how to do this.

overlander63 · 04-12-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ambie '64

my apologies for the double post...one of these days, I'll figure out how to do this.

Look at the bright side, it increases your post count...

I'll delete one of them for you.
Now, on to your question. HELP!(motormite) makes a replacement part that you drill out where the old shock mount stud was, and bolt the new piece on in its place, then attach the shock to it. Available at your local auto parts store.

Ambie '64 · 04-13-2008, 10:02 AM

Thanks, Terry. I'm off to NAPA (wishing it was the Valley!)

Ambie '64 · 04-23-2008, 03:28 PM

Here's another poser for you Terry. The lower shock spindles attached to the axles on the street side had been twisted off (not by me this time) to the point that there's only about 1/2" of threads left. The new shocks mounted on the spindle won't allow me to get even one turn on the nut. Is there a female connector that could go over the old threads and provide a longer bolt-up for the shock? I thought about maybe using a lug nut that tapers to fit into the shock...probably wouldn't be very pretty, but I'm willing to try anything at this point.

overlander63 · 04-23-2008, 04:43 PM

I seem to remember a shock bolt extender from "way back when", it had a female threaded end, a hex for a wrench, and male threads on the other end.

Ambie '64 · 04-23-2008, 05:10 PM

"Shock bolt extender"...a more elegant descriptive than what I was trying to convey. Thanks!

**Action** · 04-25-2008, 09:04 AM

If you find one please post it.

>>>>>>>>Action

Ambie '64 · 04-25-2008, 06:39 PM

Okay, I'll post a picture of what I did...it ain't pretty, but it works. After visiting several auto parts stores, and being directed to the next one down the road, I got a little frustrated. They all knew what I was needing, but nobody had the right configuration or bolt size. At the last store, I was mumbling something about Home Depot as I departed, shaking my head when the guy suggested I just weld another spindle to the axle. I bought a 1/2" coarse thread, x 1 1/4" long hex connector, a set of taps and dies (they don't just sell the one you want), a piece of all thread, some nuts and washers, and a hot dog.

(cont. tomorrow)

**Action** · 04-26-2008, 12:13 PM

Welding any hunk of metal will be an issue if the metal does not have the strength for the load.

It has been a long time since I was in metal shop in HS, however I do remember different types of (steel) metals have different strengths.

>>>>>>>>>Action

Ambie '64 · 04-27-2008, 09:11 AM

Re: Action, to say nothing of the fact that the lower shock assembly is cast iron and trying to weld the metal with any standard method would be disastrous.

Anyway, I promised a few photos of my solution. The upper shock mounts were ordered from Parts America and arrived two days after I'd ordered them. I had to use my cut-off blade in the hand grinder and then drill out holes in the upper bracket for the new assembly. The solution to the lower mount is to make a customized lug nut to fit in the shock and extend to the remaining threads of the old spindle. I used a piece of all-thread in the other end to seal off the void and ground it down to be smooth with the hex coupler. I used the 1/2" tap and die to clean up the male and female threads on all the pieces and pre-fit the assembly to make some necessary adjustments in the length of the lug going into the original spindle (this takes a lot of patience and/or beer). I was fortunate to have at least 5 threads remaining on the old spindles and I snugged up to all of them. The washer was hogged out (not the best result, but I wanted a buffer between the shock rubber and the hex part of the lug nut). The finished mount is solid and should last as long as the other side of the trailer's shocks.

Finally, I'm showing some photos of the steps and the tongue...just because they're pretty.