1998 GMC C1500 wrung off screw/Bolt

JFSJR61

MEMBER
1998 GMC C1500
4.6L
V6
RWD
AUTOMATIC
356,000 MILES

I have a 2wd 1998 GMC pickup with v-6. I was replacing the front shocks and I was trying to remove the 2 Screw/bolts at the lower side of the first shock. ( 1 day prior to replacing the shocks I sprayed all fasteners with a penetrating spray ) I found that the bolt/screw was very hard to remove, it would start coming off then got real hard. I went back and forth trying to remove these fasteners. Well 1 of the bolt/screws wrung off and 1 finally came but was very hard, it felt like it was cross threaded but it wasn't. Any how what can I do to fix that wrung off bolt/screw? I was thinking I could maybe drill it out and re tap it. The VIN # is 1GTEC14W3WZ537791 if you need it.

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,873 POSTS

If you have the common GM front shock absorber with the bar through a rubber bushing at the bottom, just run in larger-diameter self-tapping bolts. You can also drill the holes out, then drop in a pair of regular bolts, then use a pair of nuts and lock washers.

When you tighten the top nuts, a common do-it-yourselfer mistake is to run those nuts down tight. In fact, the correct tightness is just when the rubber bushing expands to the same diameter as the washer right above it.