Top Rear Shock Bolt Length are not long enough

[Rwillia4]

I was adjusting the rear ride height today. I jacked up the back, took off the back wheel. I placed a jack under the rear spindle and took the spring load off the rear shock. I took out the top bolt to allow the release the spring load, I adjusted the height and attempted to put the top bolt back in and ran into a problem that could be on your BDR also. The bolt is not long enough to grab enough threads.

The bolt length is 2.9".
The shock bolt hole thickness is 1.25"
The threads start in the frame hole 1.5" from the front face.

Doing the math this leaves under 1/4" of threads being engaged (or almost two threads). Now go look at any old bolt, the first two threads are not "full thickness". The funny thing is there is a bung welded on the back side of the frame hole that is threaded. So I'm off to buy a couple of longer bolts M12x 90mm, grade 8.8.

I don't know if others have the same problem or maybe the factory grabbed the wrong bolts on mine. Failure of these bolts wouldn't cause and accident but will significantly affect the handling.

[tony martin]

HI THERE,

I HAVE JUST BEEN INTO THE FACTORY TO CHECK ON THESE BOLTS.

THE CORRECT LENGTH IS 3.75" AND THE THREAD SCREWS IN .75"

WE HAVE NEVER(KNOWINGLY)FITTED A 2.9" BOLT.

WE WILL CHECK ALL CARS IN THE FACTORY AND AT DEALERS.

SHOULD U BE WORRIED ABOUT YOURS,JUST TAKE A WRENCH AND CHECK THAT THE BOLTS ARE TIGHT.

IF SO THEY WILL NOT COME LOOSE AS THERE IS NOT A GREAT DEAL OF STRAIN ON THEM.

AS U SAY,IF ONE WAS TO COME LOOSE,IT WOULD NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT,BUT IT WILL EFFECT THE HANDLING AND U WILL HEAR QUITE A NOISE FROM THE REAR.

THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION.

STAY COOL,

REGARDS

[cbreez]

thanks for the tip, rwillia4!

[Rwillia4]

I just looked at two newer cars (500+) and sure enough the bolt lengths were MUCH longer then what I had. Glad it was just a mix up on mine.