2000 E350 rear upper shock bolt stripped
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
2000 E350 rear upper shock bolt stripped
Hey everyone, 2000 E350, 355K mi, replacing the rear shocks, got the pass side out (yowch, what a job), and trying to get the driver's side out. I was able to get the bolt most of the way off, lots of penetrating spray. I got the bolt nearly off, but it finally relented and rounded off.
Looking for advice at this point- it's tough to get a saws-all in there and besides it's very close to the fuel tank and any slips would be disastrous.
I've also thought about trying to get a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel to see if I could cut enough of the nut to get it to break off. Not sure if a lot of how many sparks may be thrown in that move, but it seems like it would only take a sec to do if I can get it in that small space.
Another thought it to try to get some vice grips on the top nut somehow and perhaps a pipe wrench on the upper part of the shock and work it off.
Anyone else been though this? Good news is the new shocks go right in.
Thanks as always,
Ben
Looking for advice at this point- it's tough to get a saws-all in there and besides it's very close to the fuel tank and any slips would be disastrous.
I've also thought about trying to get a dremel tool with a cutoff wheel to see if I could cut enough of the nut to get it to break off. Not sure if a lot of how many sparks may be thrown in that move, but it seems like it would only take a sec to do if I can get it in that small space.
Another thought it to try to get some vice grips on the top nut somehow and perhaps a pipe wrench on the upper part of the shock and work it off.
Anyone else been though this? Good news is the new shocks go right in.
Thanks as always,
Ben
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
Can you slide a metal panel to shield the fuel tank? I’m guessing you’re on your back on the ground rather than a lift. That makes hosing down the tank to suppress sparks messy.
Can you get a nut splitter in there?
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 183K miles
Can you get a nut splitter in there?
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 183K miles
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Time to get mad at it and stop being so patient. 
I saw a u-tube video where a guy simply grabed the loose end of the shock and bent it until the shaft broke off.
Did you remove the spare tire to get some more room to work at least?
I saw a u-tube video where a guy simply grabed the loose end of the shock and bent it until the shaft broke off. Did you remove the spare tire to get some more room to work at least?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Without the spare in the way there is an acre of room on top of and behind the cross member. I've replaced a few rear shocks that way.
A good idea is when the replacement shock is installed liberally coat the whole upper stud threads with anti-seize. I also look for shocks that have the hex fitting at the top of the shaft where a back up wrench can help removing the nut. That feature is just one reason I run Bilstein shocks.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 508
Likes: 69
From: Tucson
I have the same problem as Ben and it's worse because it has rear AC.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
x2 on Bilsteins for usable wrench flats. Monroe Magnums have wrench flats but they’re 4mm thick and I don’t have flat wrenches.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 183K miles
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 183K miles
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 438
From: IL
Harbor Freight calls them a bolt extractor.... The go over the rounded head and when pressing downward they bite into the head and grab it.
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-...ece-67894.html
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Frankly the easiest solution is using a reciprocating saw---they tend to eat through the shock stem in a damn hurry.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
You're welcome to go at this any way you choose but for me working that close to the fuel tank seems downright foolish. Not everyone has a "hot wrench" yet I'll bet most of us have access to a reciprocating saw and for this task they're far, far more safe to use.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
If this guy claims there's no room I have to think that's from a lack of trying---the chassis of the 1997 through 2013 full body E-Series are all pretty much the same, cannot envision how a stock chassis would be so much trouble.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 168
Likes: 9
From: Nashville, TN
Another thought I had was to get a piece of wood in there, get some vicegrips on the top bolt, then wrench it off from below with a pair of channel locks or a bigger pipe wrench. My 2" pipe wrench is not quite big enough to do the job.
Thank you again!
Ben