Topic: cherokee rear shock bolt?

[pioneer4x4]

can i cut this bolt off and drill through and slide new bolt in, or do i need to cut and weld new bolt on? its the rear pass. axle side of cherokee that shock slides on. looks like some one has trimmed it in the past to get shock on, but my metal sleeve that came with new shocks wont slide over still. so right now im running it without the sleeve in the bushing and would like to get the sleeve in.
if i can drill it out, would i need a special bit or just a regular one for metal? thanks in advance.

[Jeffy]

I would have the bolt welded.  If the shock nut loosens it will eventually tear off the bolt otherwise.

[pioneer4x4]

ok thanks man, if i just got a grade 8 bolt the size i need, i just cut off the head, cut off old bolt from bracket and weld threads up? sound good? or diff grade bolt?

[Jeffy]

ok thanks man, if i just got a grade 8 bolt the size i need, i just cut off the head, cut off old bolt from bracket and weld threads up? sound good? or diff grade bolt?

Grade 5 v. 8 is your personal choice.  Can you get to the backside of the stud?  If so I would cut the bolt off then drill through the bracket.  Then you can pass the whole bolt through the hold and weld it to the bracket.  That will give the bolt some strength so it won't sheer off.

[pioneer4x4]

sorry for the late response, been out of town for the holidays, yea i can get to the back side, but there is no head, just sorta oval on back side. yea drilling through then welding seems like best idea, im a little leary of just welding threads on there with out more support than the weld holding the bolt on. im gonna give it a try in a couple of days n see what happens. ill let ya know how it turns out. thanks for the replys

[sharpxmen]

none of my shocks have sleeves in the back - same for old set and the new set - the nuts are locking type so that keeps them from coming loose, i would guess you can run w/o a sleeve in your case as well, beats the hell out of cutting and welding under the Jeep.