I started installing the rear suspension with my new koni and ground control set up. I took out the old stuff and put together the konis. When I go to put them in the bottom bolt will not go in all the way. Goes in about one turn and then it wont go any farther. It seems to be of a different thread than the stock bolts.

Here is the rear shock thread...



Here is the thread of the bolt. Not the same bolt but its the same thread.


This pic show how it goes in and gets stuck. (i know its supposed to go in the other side)


Am I going to need another set of bolts or are they defective? This is on both rear shocks. What is the thread size?
This is for a 95 integra!

 

Find a tap with the correct diameter and thread pitch, and tap it to clean the threads.

Are you sure you have the correct bolts? Did they come out of stock shocks?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Targa250R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Find a tap with the correct diameter and thread pitch, and tap it to clean the threads.

Are you sure you have the correct bolts? Did they come out of stock shocks?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was thinking about using a tap but was not sure if there was enough meat in there. I do have the correct bolts. I just put my old shocks back in before I took the pics. That bolt in the pic is another I found of the same thread and pitch.

 

Weird. The threads on the dampers just look wrong. At first I thought they looked stripped, but looking closer they look to have some kind of 'square' thread shape rather than the typical 'V' shaped thread (such square threads do exist, but they're rare and I've never seen them on a car). My Konis bolted straight in using the Honda bolts, and the threads were quite normal.

If you can I'd take them back to your supplier for checking, or you could re-tap them (if there's enough metal to get a fully cut thread in there, i.e. the full 'V'), or you could drill the thread out completely and fit longer bolts with nuts.

 

FWIW, that doesn't look like the right bolt. The lower shock bolts I'm familiar with are tapered/pointed at the threaded end, longer, and with "striations" down the length of the unthreaded shaft portion. Maybe the original bolts YOU had were incorrect. The bolt holding the LCA to the subframe, or the one holding the upper control arm to the trailing arm should be exactly the same as the lower shock bolt. Maybe pull one of those out and test-fit? That'd fit with your diagnosis, as too-big bolts (diameter) might go in 1/4-1/2 turn, then stop.

If that doesn't work...did you buy these new or used? If used, the previous owner might've screwed up the threads. You can either drill out the existing threads or knock off that spot-welded nut, and then run a new bolt with washers and a nut. Lot of guys do this, and have no problem with it at all.

Edit: "Not the same bolt but the same thread". You sure about that? Like I said, try the UCA or LCA bolt.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stinkycheezmonky &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">FWIW, that doesn't look like the right bolt.

If that doesn't work...did you buy these new or used?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The pictured bolt is not the correct one but it is the same thread. When I had my stock shock out the original bolt screwed in easily but that did not happen with the Konis. I just decided to put the stock ones back in while I figure out whats up but the bolt pictured went into the stock one too. I picked these up brand new from a guy on here and I know the threads were not messed up because they still had yellow paint in the threads.

I ended up retapping the thread with the correct size although I was thinking of knocking the nut off and run longer bolts and another nut. Lots of metal shavings were released when I tapped it but they seem to hold and the bolts tighten down fine.

 

If its working you should be ok, just keep an eye on it and check tightness every now and then.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stinkycheezmonky &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If its working you should be ok, just keep an eye on it and check tightness every now and then.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll check it when I get the chance. I am not too worried since the stress will be on the bolt and not the threads. Thanks!

 

just tap off that stupid welded on square nut and use a normal lock nut. mine came off so thats what i did anyways...