Torque Spec for Front Upper Shock Mount

[Sinister]

Just double checking on the torque spec for the front upper shock mount. Chassis Service manual and Haynes manual say 140 ft/lbs, just sounds like an awful lot. Don't want to break anything. '69 C-20

[Tx Firefighter]

I hammer them as tight as my impact will get them, then tackweld them in place. I have had to fix a lot of the these old truck frames where the upper mount got loose and wallowed out the hole in the frame.

[Sinister]

I'll go with 140 then, thanks.

[chevy_mike]

Does anyone know where I can buy replacement upper mounts?

Like a dumb a$$, I took them off when I was cleaning and painting the frame. I guess Chevy stamped the end after the nut was tightened down, to "pin" it so they would not loosen up. After I got them removed (which was a PITA) the treads are completely toast. I can't reuse these so I need new ones.

Let me know. Thanks!

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Does anyone know where I can buy replacement upper mounts?

Like a dumb a$$, I took them off when I was cleaning and painting the frame. I guess Chevy stamped the end after the nut was tightened down, to "pin" it so they would not loosen up. After I got them removed (which was a PITA) the treads are completely toast. I can't reuse these so I need new ones.

Let me know. Thanks!

Most new shock absorbers will come with new mount studs in the box.

[dfwright]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Most new shock absorbers will come with new mount studs in the box.

I learn something new constantly! Thanks for that tidbit -- also for the advice on tack welding the nut.

[Tx Firefighter]

See, the original shocks had the mount stud built into them like a big button head bolt. So, the aftermarket shock manufacturers include new mount studs and hardware for them.

[chevy_mike]

Really, I have seen that for the rears but not for the fronts. I'll have to open the KYB boxes when I get home. LOL

[Tx Firefighter]

Here is a pic I took of an old frame awhile back. Notice the top shock mount is made into the original shock. When you replace the original shocks, you must have a new stud type of upper mount. Your KYBs will have them in the box in a plastic baggie.

[Mike J]

yeah, I just installed drop shocks on mine while redoing the front end, and was happy to find new studs in the boxes with the shocks...

[Sinister]

O.K. Just need a little clarification. New shocks cam with new studs. Is that 140 ft/lbs the torque for the stud to the frame or the nut that holds the shock on the stud?

[Tx Firefighter]

Stud to frame.

[Sinister]

Thanks again.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Here is a pic I took of an old frame awhile back. Notice the top shock mount is made into the original shock. When you replace the original shocks, you must have a new stud type of upper mount. Your KYBs will have them in the box in a plastic baggie.

I guess I haven't seen any of these with the original factory shocks.

BTW, you're completely correct on the KYB's, there are new mounts in the box... but I bet you already knew that part.

Thanks again, learned something new.

[Tx Firefighter]

I've put a few sets of KYBs on over the years.

[Sinister]

Thanks to everybody's help, I got it done. Thanks Tx Firefighter. A little tight clearance wise getting the front studs in. I thought I might have to drop my headers for a bit. Rear shocks were a little bit of a PITA. Had to compress them by hand while trying to get the bolt through. Rear shocks didn't have the straps on em. The Gasajust's aren't to stiff for me, big improvement over what was on there

[jks67ss396]

Guys

So if the 140 is the spec for shock stud to frame, what is the spec for the shock to stud nut?

thanks!

[dmjlambert]

Bringing this back up to the top to add more value.
I decided to go with 140 for stud to frame, and 75 for the smaller nut that holds the shock absorber on.

I have a question for you folks. Do you recognize this nut that came with the new stud in the package with new Monroe shock? There was no lock washer in the package, and I notice this nut turns freely and goes on with no problem until the last few threads reach the beginning of the stud threads. From that point on, it takes a lot of torque to turn the nut and the nut gets warm when continuing to tighten. Is this a special locking type nut?

[Mbeef61]

I believe they are called distorted thread locknuts. They make them different ways. Commonly the end is oval/elliptical so they don’t loosen

[chevy_mike]

Those are called "Top Lock" nuts. A mechanical locking nut versus a lock nut that used the plastic ring in the top of the nut. Top locks are not effected by heat but are only supposed to be used once.

[typerr]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Here is a pic I took of an old frame awhile back. Notice the top shock mount is made into the original shock. When you replace the original shocks, you must have a new stud type of upper mount. Your KYBs will have them in the box in a plastic baggie.

Thanks for posting this photo Tx FireFighter! When I replaced my shocks last week I was curious why the heck the upper mount was done with that odd mushroom bolt but know I know my shocks were original to my 49 year old truck. Surprisingly, they were neither leaking nor completely blown out.