[raleigh]

Hi all,

Replacing rear shocks on a 2014 escape SE front wheel drive. I had a stud fall out when I went to take out the top shock mounts (2 x 13mm bolts over studs that are mounted to the frame)

How do I fix this? Should I use a thread repair insert? I can't get to this from above, it looks like there are threads in the body and the panel in the "trunk" is behind it and not removable.

There were threads on the stud when it came out, I spun them and they came off so I know it's the hole that is stripped.

I can think of two options, and am curious what folks recommend:

1. Put some JB Weld or metal epoxy type stuff in the hole and shove the stud in
2. Use a thread insert and fix it that way

What do you think?

Here's the stud that came out - I think if I remove the shock mount, put a thread insert in the hole and then put it all back together I'll be good, right?

Here is the current state of things, only one bolt (the other side) holding the shock mount. The hole up here is
definitely stripped, I can just shove the stud up there and it goes all the way in.

 

[hanke]

You are going to have remove the inside cabin panel in order to access the top nut area, if you watch the video the individual removed the top shock nut itself and did not remove the top shock mount. The video should give you an idea how to remove the panels. Your top nut is probably inside the cabin strut area. Usual removal is what you completed but the whole nut stud in you case came out on the lower side.

 

[raleigh]

Do you know if that nut is welded? I can't tell from the picture but I can't imagine it's not...

 

[hanke]

Do you know if that nut is welded? I can't tell from the picture but I can't imagine it's not...

I don't know, only going by the you tube video and those upper compartment nuts were not touched...yet other shock replacements videos shows that you remove those 2 lower nuts and the whole upper assembly comes down with the shock assembly. Perhaps the weld in yours did break which now requires you to at least open the inner area to tighten the upper shock mounting assembly in place or else over time without 2 secure mounting studs it will work loose..

 

[raleigh]

That nut is welded on the top and the stud goes into it. The nut is stripped and I don't really have a way to get it off. I think I'm going to sick the stud in with some JB Weld steel stick to "weld" the stud into the nut and then install the shock.

If I ever have to get the stud out again I'll just have to grind the whole nut off from inside and re-weld it...

 

[hanke]

Guess you cannot chisel it off and just install a new nut, and use the JB weld to attach back to the inside upper surface. Would there be enough threads on the stud...to install a nut above the welded nut and use JB Weld to secure onto of the existing stripped nut? Or use a longer stud to the newly placed nut above the existing stripped one.

 

[murcod]

I'd go with the thread insert. I've change the rear shocks on mine and that nut must be welded to the body or else it would be impossible to reassemble it from below.

I wouldn't trust anything glue like. There would be a lot of strain on those two bolts with the shock absorber controlling the body/ suspension from freely moving when the spring is compressed or extended.

The other option would be removing the interior panels. If you found a suitable thread/ length high tensile bolt you could insert it from the inside (through the stripped body nut), use some JB Weld to help hold it in place and bolt the shock top mount to that.

 

[hanke]

Well, how did the repair end up going for you?