Problem with upper shock mount and Koni install
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Culpeper, Va
Problem with upper shock mount and Koni install As most people, we had problems with the nut on top of the shock mount when installing the Koni shocks on the front. My friend and I tried PB Blaster, tried to dremel the shaft at the top of the mount. Nothing worked. I called my dad and he took the shock to his work and torched the shock rod. In the process, he also melted part of the upper mount and the steel insert that goes through the mount came out.
(used this pic from a Koni install to show you what was melted)
Obviously there is a gap at the bottom of the shock mount until the washer on top of the shock. We did install it back and put it on the car, but I'm wondering if I should go ahead and buy a new mount and reinstall it or if this one is safe to use.
Is there anything else that my dad may have burned off that I need? I don't have the car here (still at my friend's house locked up in his garage) so I can't provide any pics.
My dad is taking the passenger side spring assembly and going to try and get it apart with an impact gun. Hopefully that will work out ok and can be reused.
(used this pic from a Koni install to show you what was melted)
Obviously there is a gap at the bottom of the shock mount until the washer on top of the shock. We did install it back and put it on the car, but I'm wondering if I should go ahead and buy a new mount and reinstall it or if this one is safe to use.
Is there anything else that my dad may have burned off that I need? I don't have the car here (still at my friend's house locked up in his garage) so I can't provide any pics.
My dad is taking the passenger side spring assembly and going to try and get it apart with an impact gun. Hopefully that will work out ok and can be reused.
Myself I would buy 2 new ones, and use marine grease when putting them on so this doesn't happen again in the future. Also FWIW usually the passenger side is even tougher to get apart than the driver's side. Perhaps hit a junkyard to get them, I think GM wants upwards of $120 a piece new.
I agree with Viper... Buy new ones. The same thing happened on my install. I found a set of shocks and springs on ebay and got them for ~$30 or so. I kept the shocks and shock mounts and resold the springs for roughly the same price as I bought them for. Sometimes you can get lucky like that... Good Luck!
I had hell with those things this past weekend, did my buddies 02 WS6 and my 98 Z-28. I had to cut the shock off just below the spring perch and knock the shaft out with a sledge hammer. The passenger side metal sleeve broke along with a chunk of the rubber so I had to go junkyard shopping Saturday morning, found a 95 model V6 camaro and grabbed the spring perch from it and used it on my Z-28. I filled that whole top part of the spring perch with anti-seize lubricant and grease to keep water out. I need two new one's too but they'll work for now. I bought new OEM shocks from Billy Grahams camaro for $35.00 a piece, 2002 model shocks.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Culpeper, Va
Thanks for the help guys! I just talked to Sam Strano and the mount is done for. I'm going to order new ones ASAP from Advance Auto so I can get the car back on the road this weekend.
I again have to thank Sam for his help.
I again have to thank Sam for his help.
