Rear Springs are done! Now I got a rear

[Brian]

Finally got the rear springs done, WAB!! Smoke wrench got her in the end. But , I broke the upper rear shock mount bolt. It looks like a shoulder bolt welded to the upper shock mount bracket which is riveted in. Is this bolt fixable? If it is, is it a Ford Part? Thanks Brian

 

[Justshootme84]

Glad to see that you didn't burn up the whole Bronco, and got the springs out!!! I think the rear top shock stud is simiar to the front axle lower shock stud. Should be just pressed in, if you can find room to work on it. I pulled out the gas tank and removed the rear shocks a few weeks ago, and did some grinding on these rear studs. The shock bushings had worn thru and gouged the studs.

 

[Brian]

Hey JSM, I didn't burn it because it was dry.I got to pull the tank. Steel or plastic? Do I need any extra parts when I do it? I'm sure all the skid plate bolts will break off, I'll get extras of them as well as the gas tank strap bolts. Any thing else? That makes sense about the upper rear shock mounted being pressed in. I'll try banging it out. Thanks Brian >-

 

[Brian]

I just looked in Jeff's, Plastic,it is. What about the gas tank straps? Do you guys think they are reusable or will they just break off? Also I didn't see the upper rear shock mount bolt in Jeff's, It must be a Ford part. Thanks Brian

 

[Justshootme84]

I do believe the shock mount stud is a dealer item only. It's up to you as far as plastic or steel for the tank. Use a thick piece of rubber or a wide belt between the tank and skidplate to protect from rubbing and moisture (for steel tank). This is the ideal time to replace your fuel pump and sending unit assembly, too.

If you have a skid plate underneath the stock gas tank, the 8 bolts holding it and the tank to the frame will be a PITA to remove. I might have a recent post ranting about my troubles, but I found the secret to removing the bolts without stripping all of them. Use a 1/2- drive break-over bar and 15mm socket to turn the bolts, and hold the nuts with a quality a 15mm wrench. If you try to use a socket or wrench to turn the nuts, they are very soft and will strip. I had to remove the rear bumper, too.

I'm pulling all of this stuff out to restore the frame. If you have some rust, look at using something to stop it from getting worse. I'm using Ospho since it's cheap, JSM84

Cleaning & Rustproofing Frame

 

[Brian]

The rear upper shock mount doesn't seperate. It's a bracket with the bolt. The old one has to be ground out from under the wheel well and the new one needs three bolts to install. Ford part $15.00.Brian

 

[Justshootme84]

Is that shock mount part of the 3 rivets on the frame in this pic?

 

[Brian]

Why yes,yes it is. Brian >

 

[chrisholt89]

samething happened to me all i did was cut off the stud, grind flat, drill a 1/2in hole, put the right sized bolt in, weld in place, and your done