c900 rear shock bolts

If it's metric, it's called "grade 8.8" - just so you know.

First things first - what kind of penetrating oil have you put on there? There are some amazing things you can use, particularly if you're willing to let them work for a day or week.

Dave Hinz

Metric 8.8 is equivalent to US Grade 5. For equivalent to US Grade 8, try Metric 10.9.

OK, so are the bolts he needs metric? If so (I assume yes), does he need grade 8.8, or 10.9?

I think I have some metric thread gages, if so I can see if mine come apart.

I deliberately did not specify what kind of "penetrating oil" I used, because if I did, people would probably look down upon my choice of product. But since you ask, I will divulge that I used WD-40.

Although WD-40 gets badmouthed a lot in this group, it does seem to displace water and dissolve rust, and should be better than nothing. And, it's what I had on hand at the time. The next time I look at the bolts, the WD40 will have been on them for a week.

Still waiting to see what the collective decides about the appropriate grade of bolt, metric vs "standard," etc.

John

The bad news is, that's not a penetrating oil. The good news, is that it's not a penetrating oil. So, get one, and chances are you don't have to find new bolts.

Plenty of time to buy some Kroil, or any actual penetrant then ;)

Well, maybe you don't need 'em...

The horizontal bolts at the bottom of the shock absorber assembly are the least of your problems. You will need a couple of sharp "Sawz-all" blades to cut the shock struts off. The last time I changed a set of rear shocks on a C900, the shocks needed to be cut off because the upper nuts were rust welded to the "bolt" on top of the shock. Any penetrant oil will do for the lower bolts. While WD-40 is not my first choice, it's likely not the worst out there. Living in the great cultural vacuum of the mid-west, I usually use "PB-Super Blaster", mostly because the local Saab indy and nearly all the local pro's use it. It's a naphtha based product that has likely helped more than hurt me so far. When cutting the shock strut off be careful not to heat the shock absorber up too much or the high pressure in the shock will escape violently. After much thought and consternation I ended up using Boge shocks and like them well enough to say they don't suck.

Good Luck, dave

See, I knew I would be taken to task for divulging that :)

I'll get some Kroil.

Thanks,

John

Yep, definitely some rust up there. I gave them a shot of WD-40 also, and I'll try Kroil if I can get some. If I have to cut them, I'll probably be using a hacksaw, since I probably won't be working anywhere with available electricity.

John

Not taking anyone to task, John, I'm trying to help.

You won't regret it. Best there is.

Never tried it, but I do use PB Blaster all the time and that stuff works great.

-Fred W

I think the problem is more likely that the strut rod is spinning. Why not grab the strut rod with a pipe wrench from below and then use a good

That's another good one, and as Kroil isn't in your corner store, would be a good option. Even liquid wrench would be better than the waxy sludge-40.

Noted.

When I do get this bolt out, I'm planning to put in a set of Koni specials. Threetrolls.net has a great price on the set, but I'm having a dickens of a time getting them to reply to emails...

John

Hm, if their support sucks pre-sales, how will it be once they already have your money, I wonder? That said, eeuroparts pissed me off, by telling me a week after I ordered that an item I needed was "on intergalactic back-order". Ended up paying extra to the dealership to have a head gasket fedex'd in for the project. Could have been avoided if (a) they listed if something was out of stock on the website (fairly easy), or (b) contacted me when they shipped short to tell me it wasn't coming (blisteringly farking simplistic and unexcusable to not do).

Ahem. Sorry.

Good question. However I will not be able to find out, since I lost patience and ordered from tirerack.com. Only slightly more expensive, and I should have the shocks by the weekend.

John

That is the first time I have ever heard of a screwup at eEuroparts. I have always had nothing but fantastic service from them, including free FedEx ground shipping which ends up being overnight to me since I am in New England (as are they). And yes, I'm certain that they add and remove items from the web display when they go in and out of stock. It must have been some kind of serious screwup on their end to have caused the shortage.

You're excused. ;-)

-Fred W

I was surprised by it at the time, and I think I posted something here as well. I was rebuilding a 99 Turbo on a time schedule, and was rather annoyed not just that it wasn't listed as out of stock, but by the laughingly "I don't care about your problem" the guy there took on the phone when I called to ask when I should expect my parts. Oh, and they also sent me a timing cover gasket that (a) had the wrong part number, and (b) didn't fit a B-Engine (it's for an H-engine), which he told me was right, superceded the one I ordered, and "It has the right number of holes so it's the right part". I explained that the number of holes doesn't enter into it so much; it's the shape of the material _around_ the holes that is critical in all things gasket-y, and got exactly nowhere with it.

The shortage is fine - when you're fixing a 27 year old car, "out of stock" isn't unexpected. It's the "Oh, we knew we shipped short 3 days ago, but didn't bother to tell you so you could make other plans" that pissed me off.

Oh, good.

Probably for the best, John. Sometimes, it's just worth paying a little bit more for good service... and the peace of mind.

-Fred W

I'm generally a big fan of eeuroparts, but I just received an order from them that was missing one item. The invoice listed it as backordered. You're right, it sure would be nice to know up front whether something is in stock.

Anyway, here's another question: I have received my new shocks (Koni specials), but I'm still waiting for the new rear springs to come in. Is there any harm in installing the Konis with the old rear springs (assuming I can get the old shocks off)? The old springs are sagged and very soft, and I'm wondering whether the new shocks could be damaged.

Thanks,

John