Part # for rear shock clips

[iceworm]

Wasn't a bad day
Passenger side rear shock
Bored a 2' hole in the bed right behind the back seat over the problem bolt. Hit pretty close - wasn't centered, but close enough - Measured over and bored a second 1.5" hole so I could remove the clip and get the washers and nut on the other bolt

Tried to hold the clip with long nose vise grips - no joy. Used a die grinder to cut the clip. Punched out the bolt. Original upper fasteners were 8mm x 1.25 - now are 5/16 - with flats and locks

Driver side rear
Interestingly the passenger side upper end is forward of the axle. The driver side upper end is aft of the axle.

Both bolts came out. The clips were loose and the new shock is a bit bigger diameter than GM original issue. Couldn't get the outside bolt to start. Clips are gone, fasteners are now also 5/16. On this side there is enough space to reach in and start the nuts and put an open end on the nuts.

One other interesting thing
The driver side lower bolt won't come out if you jack up under the axle. It hits the sway bar. Picked up the body a couple of inches and that let the bolt clear. Put the bolt back in the other direction.

Mild curses to GM for not spending an extra $1 on the clips.

This is where someone jumps in and says, "You goof, you should have used a left handed, right angle ------".

Carl

 

[Spargewort]

Reviving an 8 year old post..

I did this job today and got the same result with the last busted clip on the passenger side rear shock. Bolt was stuck in the clip and the whole thing was turning together. Way up there in a hard-to-navigate pocket.

One side of the clip was still there on the front side and I had just enough room to clamp it down with vice grips, and after a liberal dosing of WD, turned it in a few turns, then backed it out. Whew. Now I am off to find that clip.

My next idea was to get a Dremel up there and saw through the bolt. That would have worked also, but sacrificed the bolt. There is a youtube of a guy who actually gets a pipe wrench up in from the back side and holds the clip with that as he turns the bolt out. I could not see how to possibly do it that way.