Rear Shock Mount Sheared Off

The shocks were probably worn out 4 years ago. Then this bolt broke.....the one that goes through the bracket and the bracket on the axle. I've replaced it a few times with grade 8 bolt and it kept breaking. I replaced with the shocks that were on it without problems. Now it broke again. Maybe it's not torqued right enough but I cant find any torque specs.
 
MUDDRNR said:
The shocks were probably worn out 4 years ago. Then this bolt broke.....the one that goes through the bracket and the bracket on the axle. I've replaced it a few times with grade 8 bolt and it kept breaking. I replaced with the shocks that were on it without problems. Now it broke again. Maybe it's not torqued right enough but I cant find any torque specs.
Click to expand...
So not the shock bolt it's the bracket bolt?
 
MUDDRNR said:
The shocks were probably worn out 4 years ago. Then this bolt broke.....the one that goes through the bracket and the bracket on the axle. I've replaced it a few times with grade 8 bolt and it kept breaking. I replaced with the shocks that were on it without problems. Now it broke again. Maybe it's not torqued right enough but I cant find any torque specs.
Click to expand...
I really think the shocks are ok but I want to stop this bolt from breaking.
someguysjeep said:
So not the shock bolt it's the bracket bolt?
Click to expand...
Yeah the little one at the back
 
how many fasteners hold your extension bracket, 1 or 2 ?
and there should be a spacer taking up the gap between the extension and the original shock mount is that present (to prevent crushing them and be able to apply torque) ?

this is only happening on 1 side?
 
someguysjeep said:
how many fasteners hold your extension bracket, 1 or 2 ?
and there should be a spacer taking up the gap between the extension and the original shock mount is that present (to prevent crushing them and be able to apply torque) ?

this is only happening on 1 side?
Click to expand...
Only happening on 1 side maybe I'm missing something. It's the Rough Country 1185 Rear Shock Relocation Kit for 97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ. I dont think it comes with a spacer....guess I can get a washer
 
jazz-n-tj said:
While going up a easy trail (Rouse Ridge in Southern California) my buddy behind me gets me to stop because my rear shock is dangling and not attached to the axle. I get out and check it out. The bracket ripped and sheared in half. It didn't break at the weld but in the middle of the bracket. Half of the bracket is still attached to the axle and the other half to the shock. Thankfully I was able to easily remove the upper bolts (thank goodness for CA TJ) for the bar pin of the shock and remove the entire shock so that I could finish our run to the top of Thomas Mountain.

With that said, I have a couple questions. It looks like a very easy fix. I have found a couple options for new brackets. See below.

It looks like the added a relocation bracket on the driver's side (the side that broke) and it is a completely different bracket on the passenger side). Are these relocation brackets any good? If not, I probably should remove the passenger side bracket also since it is pushing it away from the axle also.

Also, since I am doing 1 side should I do the other side? I notice it is not he stock bracket on the passenger side, so it must have been replaced at some point in the past but all it is is 2 metal plates not like the stock one which is essentially a U bracket. Please see picture.

I am finding 2 different brackets. Some say for Dana44 and others just say for TJ. From what I understand the TJ Dana 35 and 44 have the same size axle tube right? Isn't it 2.62 diameter? Some of these brackets say for 3 inch axles. Please advise.

Is this a simple job for me to attempt with my buddy who is an amateur welder? If the angle or location is slightly off will it have bad results? If so, I can pay someone to weld it but I thought this might be a good opportunity to start to learn how to weld.

Curry Bracket Pair (doesn't specify an axle type)
https://www.quadratec.com/products/CE-7020.htm
Teraflex (specifies Dana 44 and Dana 60)
https://www.quadratec.com/p/terafle...7-06-jeep-wrangler-wrangler-unlimited-tj-dana
Warrior Products Pair (says for all axles)
https://www.quadratec.com/products/92000_000.htm
Crown Automotive Pair (for 3" axle)
https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-automotive/weld-shock-mounts-3-axle-tubes
Rubicon Express (doesn't specify an axle)
https://www.quadratec.com/products/16301_4462.htm
View attachment 148775

View attachment 148776

View attachment 148778

View attachment 148779
Click to expand...
Back to the original thread....
Find somebody that welds, a pro will cost you twenty bucks to fix the broken one. A friend will cost a twelve pack.
 
jjvw said:
Post pics
Click to expand...
It is the little one at the back (front actually) that keeps getting sheared because the shock is bottoming out on uptravel. We can pretty much guess it is uptravel being the issue since it would break the mount if it was happening the other way.

small shock bolt.webp
 
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MUDDRNR said:
Only happening on 1 side maybe I'm missing something. It's the Rough Country 1185 Rear Shock Relocation Kit for 97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ. I dont think it comes with a spacer....guess I can get a washer
Click to expand...

this kit? it does/should have a spacer and 2 fasteners per mount.

reloc.webp
 
at the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, how can shocks be to long? my experience with them (which obviously is very limited)
just install at the height you took the old ones off?
I'm actually getting ready to order some rancho 5000X. is there anything I should know before I DO?
 
4x4king said:
at the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, how can shocks be to long? my experience with them (which obviously is very limited)
just install at the height you took the old ones off?
I'm actually getting ready to order some rancho 5000X. is there anything I should know before I DO?
Click to expand...
Old ones could also be wrong. Make sure the shocks travel isn't exceeded by suspensions' travel ..cycle the suspension. In some cases, a shock torn off is caused by an incorrect jounce bumper/bump stop on the opposite side of the axle, allowing it to be over extended.
 
If at ride height half of the total shock shaft is exposed, then the shock is likely the right length.
 

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