99XJDad

So I've been working (along with help from my dad) on the fairly simple task of replacing the shocks on my XJ. Dad snapped the heads off the bolts on the BP in the rear.

I know to expect this stuff from a vehicle with 191K on it, but this is just driving me crazy!!!

cheapJeeper

Bummer!

It's a bit too late now, but did you soak the bolt/nuts with PB Blaster?
One of the easier fixes is to drill out the broken bolts, & re-tap the hole.
HINT: Use anti-seize on the threads when you re-assemble.
HTH, and Good luck!

cherokee4meplz

pb blast is your friend.

99XJDad

As a matter of fact, PB Blaster is not my friend. If it was friendly towards me it would work. I've soaked these bolts repeatedly....

I always have total **** luck with bolts.

What kind of bits would you recommend? We're gonna have to extract the bolts somehow. I'm never again buying a vehicle with more than 100,000 miles on it.

funkle95xj

I'm pretty sure Craftsmen sells a fairly good set of bits made specifically for removing broken bolts. They are reverse cut if I'm remembering correctly, so when your drill is in reverse they dig in. Once they bite, they can break the stuck bolt free. Or just use a properly sized metal bit and completely drill the old bolt out, then you would have to tap the hole with the next size up thread. Get new bolts to match the new thread size and you're good. Sorry for your crappy luck, high milage Jeeps have their way of really testing our love for them sometimes!

MasterShakeXJ

this is expected. the rear top shock mounts on XJ's almost always break off. you should just be prepared to deal with it, and not stress over it. drill out the old bolt and thread a new one. get a very strong drill bit, chances are you will need multiple ones also. mine went very smoothly when i did it, but ive seen others be a total PITA and take quite a while. use a cord drill, it'll last longer. just take your time and it'll work out. when you do start, use some sort of cutting oil on the bit, it will help it to last longer and not heat up as much.

99XJDad

Well this one's lucky I like it enough.

I'd really hate to have to tap and rethread. Trying extraction first, and then I guess I'm doing a BPE.

MasterShakeXJ - I saw this coming but didn't really know what to do about it. This Jeep is definitely gonna teach me some patience, haha.

MasterShakeXJ

tapping them and rethreading really isnt as bad as you may think. its much easier than going through the floor like the impatient people do IMO haha. I havent had any problems with mine the way I did it. :knock on wood::

99XJDad

Just hope the extraction of the bolts goes well. Just can't wait to get it done. Just got new shocks and want them on!!! It'll be worth the extra work I know it.

jpdocdave

man there's such an easy trick for this, no need to drill, extract, and or tap, wasted hours of time. i've done a right up on this but can't find it, but here's a thread talking about it, mine is the last post, read it, and if you're interested in more info i can do it again, it really should be sticky somewhere cuz everyone spends a ton of time on those upper rear shock bolts, when it can be fixed in 10 mins. its frustrating cuz i've wasted time drilling and crap till someone showed me how to do it the smarter way.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/showth...en+shock+bolts

kamokid

geta cheap heat gun from like walmart, and put it on the head of the bolts next time, and along with the blaster, it will fly off!! hope this helps

wvamathteacher

i had a problem with my 98 xj broke them off on mine but i just twisted the shock around got self tapping bolts stainless mounted them with noproblem they have been working fine for 5000 rough miles easier than trying to extract the broken bolts .

Six-Pack Smile

weld a bolt on to the broke top of the other, and spray some pb blaster on it and then be easy on it and take the welded bolt to bolt out.

Programbo

We sell like 4 different brands of penetrating sprays where I work..Blaster is always spoken highly of by the mechanics who come in....We just got some kind of new "Liquid Wrench" in..L4..Which supposedly can wick it`s way up into threads and penetrate even tiny areas deeper than before.

mycherokee1989

you should find out where your write up went. I'm going to install a lift soon hopefully, and it would be nice to know how to deal with this, because I'm expecting it.
That sounds like more trouble than its worth IMO