Gen 1 Rear Shock Lower Bolts - Play?

[eduncan911]

In my 95, I have this knocking/thumping noise in the rear when either wheel hits a bump. Like there is a busted shock or the shock is loose.

Upon quick ground inspection (laying on the back), I noticed both lower bolts of the rear shocks have about 1" play in the bushing. Where I can grab the shock and move it back and forth about 1".

Is this normal? I thought, "ass, I found it! This shock is loose!". Then I went to the other side and saw the shock was loose just the first side I inspected. So it made me think, is this normal?

Eric

 

[sleeper]

RE: Gen 1 Rear Shock Lower Bolts - Play?

At the bottom, where it goes to the suspension? I've never known that to be a problem. I doubt it's supposed to be loose though. Usually the clunking comes from the mounts at the top of hte shock where it goes to the body. The rubber mount disintigrates and the shock clunks around.

 

[BlackIceLSC]

RE: Gen 1 Rear Shock Lower Bolts - Play?

The lower shock bolt should be very tight. if its loose, its not good. However, just tighten it up. There is a locking nut behind the shock bolt that uses a "tab-lock" design. If the tabs dont lock onto the control arm, the bolt will eventually come loose.

Call Max @ Five Star Ford, and order the complete rear shock mount kit. It comes with 2 new upper shock mounts, with nuts/washers, and two new bottom shock bolts with ne locking tab nuts. approx $39.00 for the kit.

Its usually the upper shock mounts that get destroyed, so be sure to check those before you do anything.

[a BlackIceLSC-VP LODNCA
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94 Black/Black M8
95 Champagne/Saddle M8
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see profile for mods[/a]​

 

[XLRVIII]

RE: Gen 1 Rear Shock Lower Bolts - Play?

I've never known that to be a problem

Mine had trashed the lower shock bushing where the bolt goes thru.
The upper mounts were trashed as well..
The whole rubber grommet was gone from the bottom of the shock.
You could almost pull the shock off without taking the bolt off.
The shoulder on the bolt was all that was keeping it from popping out.

YES the bottom bushings wear out as well..
it took me 250,000 miles to beat them up that bad though.