Rear shock gap difference paranoia

[mike sampsel]

I have an apparent difference in shock bolt gap.



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The passenger side has bigger gap. Both were torqued to the 92 ft-lb, although I raised the trailing arm with floor jack per Wayne’s method versus Bentley which implies tighten with weight on wheels.

Concerns? I’ve driven it 2400 miles and 12 months without issues.

[Harpo]

I would add a paint stripe connecting the head of the bolt to the washer and to the shock. This way it will be very obvious if it loosens up.

[sugarwood]

If you're not getting a rattle, the shock works the same.
It dampens the recoil.
That lateral movement would not really many any real difference.

Is the bolt head bent?
Why not replace the bolt ?

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by Harpo

I would add a paint stripe connecting the head of the bolt to the washer and to the shock. This way it will be very obvious if it loosens up.

Why didn’t I think of this? Good idea

[Techno Duck]

Did you check how the gap looks with the wheels on the ground? That gap will probably go away.

[mike sampsel]

Well, I had new porsche bolts so I replaced the passenger side bolt. Threads on the old bolt looked a little warn. Then a omen came as the interior washer between the shock and the trailing arm lay on my garage floor. Suspect there is not a washer between the shock and the trailing arm on the drivers side; hence, less gap on drivers side. I seem to recall no washer present when I installed before, did not annotate though.

Added paint to passenger side. Consternation on adding a washer to drivers side. Thanks for all the thoughts and advice guys.

[gomezoneill]

Remove the bolt turn the shock 180 deg.