Sheared Bolt on thock tower....Do i need a new shock? :(

FoxForceFive · Postby **FoxForceFive** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:37 pm

Ok, i feel like a complete goose.
I bought a second hand Whiteline strut brace- very excited i went to put it on...tigtening up the last bolt i snapped the bolt straight off

Is this bolt a part of the shock, or can I get a new bolt to replace it?
I was planning on getting some Koni's eventually, but dont have a heap of money at the moment......Im really hoping this isnt as bad as im thinking it seems (ie a new shock required )
This could be the worlds most stupid question- sorry, Im inept when it comes to doing anything suspension-wise.

PS sorry for posting this twice- i stupidly posted in the engine section

Sheck · Postby **Sheck** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:36 pm

just need a new top hat, or if your feeling creative you could drill out the old bolt and fit a new one through the hole. - this will need to be done with the top hat off.

Wow man you must of been really excited to brake that one off!! its huge!! make me feel better about all the littler bolts i've snapped in my time.

Dave

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:43 pm

I sheared one of those too just recently... :oops:

It was going to cost $180 new for the part from Mazda. :shock:

Yes, just the top hat!

$10 (or $5, I can't remember) from MX5Plus at Stafford. :mrgreen:

Richard is my hero!

MX5Plus FTW!!!

Boags

FoxForceFive · Postby **FoxForceFive** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:49 pm

$180!!!!! Wow, i think i will have to make a visit to mania for a second hand part!
Thanks for the info guys, i was really worried....feelinging better that im not the only one who has done it!
Is it a hard replace?

PS sorry again for double posting this!

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:06 pm

Hard to replace? Impossible with out the right tools I think. You'll need spring compressors and a few hours. It took me about an hour per corner to get shocks in and out - after I'd already done it once several months previously though.

Compress spring, drop out top, drop in new top and decompress spring. You *SHOULD* be able to do it without removing the whole shock.

You might need Mania to do it for you... (But stuffed if I know how you get the car to mania!

)

Boags

FoxForceFive · Postby **FoxForceFive** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:14 pm

damn, i thought it might have been a tricky job.

Could i drive it with only one bolt? Mania is about 10kms from here....or would that be a stupid move?

Im half tempted just to get them to put Koni's on if i take it there!

ampz · Postby **ampz** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:09 am

yeah its ok to drive it (gently) don't go jumping of kerbs though, as those bolts are the ones that stop the shock from falling downwards (ie when you jack the car up)...

PT · Postby PT » Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:42 am

I did the same thing with my NA, cost me about $50 for a new one from Mania...

Removed the shock and spring, took the top hat off and put the new one on, reinstalled it all. Took me about a half an hour from memory, did it after work one night.

FoxForceFive · Postby **FoxForceFive** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:03 am

I got it booked in with mania for monday......$100 including the part- will teach me....i think my next investment should be a tourque wrench!!! :oops:

PT · Postby PT » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:58 am

Not really... They fatigue over time and weaken... it's a fact of the cars are now getting old... I barely did mind up that tight and spun the top of it off.

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:19 pm

PT wrote:Not really... They fatigue over time and weaken... it's a fact of the cars are now getting old... I barely did mind up that tight and spun the top of it off.

X2

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:16 pm

There is another method to remove springs without a spring compressor. I have used this method many times on my all three of my NAs over the last few years.

Use your preferred method to ready the spring/shock absorber for removal, ie separate the ball joint or remove the upper A arm bolt.

Using a scissor jack to press up against the bottom of the suspension, ie on a point where you can safely apply upward pressure without the jack slipping.

Raise the jack until the spring is compressed. Be careful not to raise the jack to the point where the car is lifting off the jack stands.

Loosen and remove the single upper shock absorber nut. (do not do this unless the spring is being safely compressed by the scissor jack).

SLOWLY lower the scissor jack thus releasing the pressure on the spring. The spring will un-compress as the pressure from the jack is removed.

Once fully released the spring should be loose and ready for removal.

Pressing down on the lower suspension arm will allow the spring/shock absorber to be swung free from the upper mounting point.

At this point the spring and shock absorber can be removed.

Installation is a reversal of the above.
__________________

PT · Postby PT » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:43 pm

I've also used Juffa's method with success.

ampz · Postby **ampz** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:21 pm

x2 on Juffa's method (not on mx5's though).
It helps to have a 2nd person sighting the shock rod to make sure you get it in the hole of the strut top, whilst you're lifting it with the jack... (nuthin sus)

:lol: