I didn't have a torque wrench, but I did put them on pretty tight. I don't
think they got cross-threaded because the bolts went in pretty smooth. I'm
guessing the more 'permanent' threadlock may be the answer, just wanted to
see if anyone had any other ideas. Thanks for the response.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Levy" <andylevy@yahoo.com>
To: <dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
Sent: Sunday, April 07, 2002 7:56 PM
Subject: Re: DML: lower shock bolt problem
>
> Did you torque the lower bolts to 80 ft-lbs? Might they have been
> cross-threaded? I wouldn't expect the bolts to snap due to the shock
itself,
> but more likely how it was installed.
>
> Vic wrote:
>
> > I installed Trailmaster Invader N7 shocks on my truck last September.
About
> > a month ago, I noticed the truck getting noisey over bumps. When I got
> > under the truck, I found the lower bolts for the front shocks were a
little
> > loose, so I snugged them down. A week later the truck got noisey again
and
> > I found that the front driver's side lower shock bolt had sheared in
half,
> > it was a very clean break. Half of it was still sitting in the shock
and
> > the other half in the lower control arm. So I removed it and ordered
> > another from the dealer. I got the new one in and put some thread lock
when
> > installing it. Today I got under the truck again because the noise was
back
> > and the bolt was gone. This time it must have worked itself all the way
> > out. The driver's side bolt is OK so far, but the shock on that side
leaked
> > fluid after 2 months, so it was replaced. When I got under the truck
again
> > last month, the same side was leaking fluid again, so it was replacemed
a
> > second time.
> >
> > I used the thread lock that says you can remove the bolt with 'regular'
> > tools. They had some stronger stuff that said 'special' tools need to
> > remove the bolt. I think I will go with this stronger threadlock, but
> > wanted to know if this is really permanent, or if I would still be able
to
> > get the bolt off with a breaker bar or impact if I needed to get it off.
> > Also, could my problems loosing and breaking the driver's side shock
bolt be
> > due to the shocks, maybe they are too stiff, wrong size, etc. ? Any
other
> > ideas?
> >
> > My truck is an '01 Quad Cab 4x4.
>
> --
> -andy
> andylevy@yahoo.com
> Maintainer, DML FAQ - http://www.dakota-truck.net/faq/
> http://home.twcny.rr.com/andylevy/dakota/
> '99 CC 4x4 318 auto
>
>
>
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