Breaking upper shock mounts (rear axle)

[AKbigsub]

In the last year I have twice broken the upper shock mount on the driver side rear. I haven't repaired the second break yet. The first repair did not fail, it was the original metal that failed. The left rear (it mounts to a hole in the frame) has also been crakced and subsequently repaired.

Anyone else had similar problems? What did you do to make a permanent repair or upgrade? I have been thinking about DIY's cross member mount but want to know of other options first.

By the way, the first breka occured with the 4" lift and shocks and the second failure happened with the 6" lift and appropriate shocks.

 

[dyeager535]

Weld the shock stud to the mount.

Shock stud nuts in my experience don't hold well, as soon as you get a tiny bit of slop, the shock pounds the mount every time the axle moves.

Later on GM got a bit smarter (I'm assuming they figured this out) and splined the stud, then pressed the stud into the mount.

 

[original balzer]

Back when my K5 was opperational I busted the left rear hole out of the frame 3 times. That is another reason that truck will never see the road again. Not to mention almost all the rivets are wallowed out and loose on several of the crossmembers. That was the reasons B4 I found out I couldnt get a title for it but thats a differnt story. I had it welded twice the third time is still out there. I didnt know near as much then as I do now or I would have had it fishplated. Or as you said inboard the shocks to a custom crossmember. I had it welded at the local trade school so that may have been why it broke the second and third time.

I would say go with a crossmember mount OR the Mounts like pickups use. They are riveted on the top and side of the frame rail and are inboard.

balzer

 

[obijuan]

my driver rear is busted. i drilled a hole a little lower in the frame and put it there. pass side is cracked so i V shape grinded out the crack and welded it back up and smoothed it and put washers on both sides of the bolt. eventually i will inboard them.

 

[azblazer]

Fly N Hi in phx has a fab shop and they make a HD cure for the entire problem. I have them on the 79 and the wifes 90 burb....also had stephen look at their mount and tried to convince him ord needed to do somethin....as its a common issue.

DW

 

[cbbr]

How does their HD mount fit?

 

[azblazer]

Basically you cut out the old gm piece....
The new part is made of 1/4 plate i think....haven't been home in weeks but we have 200 ft to drill out here and i'll email you some pics when i get home later this week if you want.

They are designed to attach to the outside of the frame rail in the u shape of the frame....one can either use some welding vise grips with the reach to keep them in place and weld them on or drill the matching holes thru the frame and bolt them up with grade 8 hardware.

Fly N Hi has several stores in the phx area....just call one up and ask for the number to the fab shop off of 43rd ave and somewhere south of the freeway....sorryits been a year or two.


DW

 

[uglytruk]

I sold an '87 Blazer, and both studs were broken off the frame. I bolted and then welded a strut from the nut to the frame. Crappy looking, and ya have ta cut the weld to change the shock, but quick 'n easy...