Twisted end off lower shock mount - GRRR!

[IdahoJeeper]

Hi guys! Been a while...

Was preparing to change the rear shocks on my XJ thuther day and twisted the threaded end right off one of the lower mounts. AAAARGH! It acutually came off without much effort...

Is there a better way to replace that mount than to cut the mount off and weld on a new one? Just wondering...

Thanks! IdahoJeeper

[AlohaBra]

If you check the off road forums, you will find a lot of aftermarket fixes, but some are elaborate and costly. Is your Jeep lifted and all that? You might go the route of raising the shock mounts for off road clearance. But for stock, I would go to a suspension shop and see if it can be welded. Most people are worried about the heat warping the axle tube when doing this.

IMO, on mine, I would like to move it up. Shocks work best when vertical though. You also got to consider travel.

[IdahoJeeper]

Aloha!

I think your right on a couple points. My XJ is lifted, about 4 inches, cutout flares, etc. I have thought about raising both mounts too. One way to do it is here:
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoRearShockM.htm
which appears to be a fairly safe way to do it. It just so happens I still have the rear axle out of the XJ my son wiped out a year ago... I just have a hard time squeezing out an afternoon to deal with it!

[AlohaBra]

Well, good, with a four inch lift that would give more possibilities.
What I was thinking of, was a plate to replace the top of the spring plate (the one with the four U-bolts going through) with the shock mounted to a piece going out and the bottom of the shock mounted to that. It would also serve as a stop for the bump stop (probably just right for a 4 in lift). At the top, I would use a Rocky Road 1 in. bar pin eliminator. Then try a Grand Cherokee rear shock, or a shock measured to give you enough travel. Then located the bottom bolt (not a welded pin) so you can have adequate travel.
I haven't searched to see if they make such a thing, but I have seen variations fabricated.