Busted a Nut on Upper Arm Mount HELP!
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 34
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Busted a Nut on Upper Arm Mount HELP!
As I was installing new lower joints, shocks, and springs on the right-side I noticed:
#1 bolt head of the forward upper arm mount had POPPED OFF. Its 1 of the 4 bolts holding the upper arm mounts onto the frame. It was rusty, thin, and looked popped, not twisted. The bolt head was just sitting there.
"SH**" was my first thought, then "How am I gonna repair THIS?"
So, I'm going to finish installing the other new parts, but I CANNOT drive my family around knowing only ONE bolt is holding that front right upper arm mount to the frame.
IS THERE A FIX? Is there a way to drill/tap the old bolt out? And can the front upper mount be WELDED to the frame for its final years?
OPINIONS?
Thanks guys and girls.
#1 bolt head of the forward upper arm mount had POPPED OFF. Its 1 of the 4 bolts holding the upper arm mounts onto the frame. It was rusty, thin, and looked popped, not twisted. The bolt head was just sitting there.
"SH**" was my first thought, then "How am I gonna repair THIS?"
So, I'm going to finish installing the other new parts, but I CANNOT drive my family around knowing only ONE bolt is holding that front right upper arm mount to the frame.
IS THERE A FIX? Is there a way to drill/tap the old bolt out? And can the front upper mount be WELDED to the frame for its final years?
OPINIONS?
Thanks guys and girls.
Last edited by 1991Aerostar; Nov 5, 2005 at 05:53 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
I'm sure you could maybe sand blast the bolt hole place where the head came off and blast it with a mig welder. The heat wouldn't bother that area. I was just looking at that area today. That is if its the same as a 96-94 awd Think it is..
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
which one of the front mount bolts lost it's head, furtherest front is a short bolt going into main frame rail only with nut built into frame, the main bolt that carries majority of load is to rear of 1st bolt, it's a long bolt going thru main frame box rail and then thru cross frame where it is held by nut
these do rust thru in high salt use areas because of salt setting on bolt head and inside frame box.
it it is the short front one, drill it out smaller than bolt, soak overnite with penetrating oil, then use easy out to remove.
if long thru frame and cross member bolt, remove from bottom by twisting nut.
all 4 bolts are critical for good alignment and safety.
one rusted off, the other three are questionable, safety comes before a quick fix
replace all 4, use grade 8 bolts and nuts, any good bolt shop can supply
torque on short bolt 40 ft lbs
torque on 3 long, 170 ft lbs tighten nut not bolt head
check bolts other side
these do rust thru in high salt use areas because of salt setting on bolt head and inside frame box.
it it is the short front one, drill it out smaller than bolt, soak overnite with penetrating oil, then use easy out to remove.
if long thru frame and cross member bolt, remove from bottom by twisting nut.
all 4 bolts are critical for good alignment and safety.
one rusted off, the other three are questionable, safety comes before a quick fix
replace all 4, use grade 8 bolts and nuts, any good bolt shop can supply
torque on short bolt 40 ft lbs
torque on 3 long, 170 ft lbs tighten nut not bolt head
check bolts other side
