72 Cheryenne 1/2 ton shocks replace

[brown7373]

My front shocks are shot and I am replacing them but have run into a problem. The stud on the upper (left side) is stripped out and needs replaced. I removed the nut from the engine side of the frame, but the tire side is the problem.

I thought I would just unscrew the 2 flat sided nut, but it is spot welded to the frame. Is it supposed to be spot welded, or has someone created a big problem for me? In the pictures you can see weld at the 9-12:00 positions. Also, the stud appears to be splined.

How can I remove and replace this stud? I might try to grind away the weld, but it is hard to get at. I might be able to make the stripped part smaller diameter and then rethread a smaller nut. What size do I need to make the stud end to thread a 7/16 13?

Any other ideas?

[GASoline71]

You're gonna have to grind the welds away to get the stud out. New shocks will come with new studs.

Gary

[brown7373]

I was afraid of that, and hoping for another alternative. Why some people do stupid things like this amazes me.

[cdowns]

some people do that because over time the mounting hole was wallowed out and that was the way to fix it

[airdale94]

Originally Posted by brown7373

Also, the stud appears to be splined.

It appears a bushing was welded in there. I would try hammering that stud through with a big hammer. You could also try chasing the threads with a die first.

[brown7373]

Hammer from the wheel well toward the engine? Is that bushing threaded? The replacement that comes with the new shocks has a hex head as part of the bolt. I assume the 2 sided bushing on mine is the same, which means it would have to hammer from the engine side toward the wheel well, and there is almost zero room to swing the hammer. If I break the weld it might hammer out.

The Service Manual calls for 140 ft. lbs. Man, that sounds high!