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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: John Turner on January 06, 2012, 07:46:38 PM

Title: Rear shock
Post by: John Turner on January 06, 2012, 07:46:38 PM

72 Pinto Wagon.  I put in new shocks yesterday. Rear shocks are attached on top to a "plate" that has 3 self tapping bolts in it holding it to the body.  Very rusty, short story is 2 bolts cross threaded.  Tight but not fully seated.  One seated well and tight.  My question;  Does it matter - will it be ok as is?  Or do I need to back em out, get new self tapping bolts, and retighten?) and if I do, should I drill out the holes and install self tapping bolts?  (Bummed)  jt

Title: Re: Rear shock
Post by: johnbigman2011 on January 06, 2012, 07:51:33 PM

Quote from: John Turner on January 06, 2012, 07:46:38 PM

72 Pinto Wagon.  I put in new shocks yesterday. Rear shocks are attached on top to a "plate" that has 3 self tapping bolts in it holding it to the body.  Very rusty, short story is 2 bolts cross threaded.  Tight but not fully seated.  One seated well and tight.  My question;  Does it matter - will it be ok as is?  Or do I need to back em out, get new self tapping bolts, and retighten?) and if I do, should I drill out the holes and install self tapping bolts?  (Bummed)  jt

John, I think I would put them in to insure no movement.

Title: Re: Rear shock
Post by: dave1987 on January 07, 2012, 12:31:54 AM

They are self taping? I though there was a square nut welded to the inside of the rear sub frame that the bolt threaded into.

Either way, I would make sure it's right and replace the bolts with something better, just to reassure it won't come apart on your later on down the road, literally.

Title: Re: Rear shock
Post by: RSM on January 07, 2012, 12:41:39 AM

I thought they had nuts on the backside too. You probably should remove one of the bolts and figure out what thread it is and get a tap and clean up the threads and install new bolts. Those plates need to be good and tight against the subframe.

Title: Re: Rear shock
Post by: r4pinto on January 15, 2012, 01:55:34 PM

I agree. Better to be safe than sorry. You wouldn't want one of those shocks to come off while driving.

Title: Re: Rear shock
Post by: D.R.Ball on January 15, 2012, 04:22:20 PM

Remove the bad bolts, run a tap and replace. A bad shock mount is not worth a car wreck.

Title: Re: Rear shock
Post by: John Turner on January 16, 2012, 07:43:43 AM

Thanks everyone for the advice.  I removed everything, chased the threads and successfully reinstalled the bolts.  Feels good to have it done right.  (I hate knowing something is halfas--d)  Thanks again.

Title: Re: Rear shock
Post by: RSM on January 16, 2012, 05:27:36 PM

Good to know you got er done there John. Half assed is not the way to fix anything in my books either. I've worked on so many cars that were repaired like that it makes you wonder what those people were thinking...lol 

Title: Re: Rear shock
Post by: D.R.Ball on January 17, 2012, 05:27:50 PM

Always glad to help and thanks for the update. I always try to let people who I asked for help what happend later....I do not like having an unfinished cliffhanger..

Title: Re: Rear shock
Post by: dave1987 on January 18, 2012, 01:19:57 AM

Glad you got it done, and right!