broken lower shock bolt

[numbnuts]

I just snapped my shock bolt and was wondering if this is a common problem. If so why didn't they supply a stronger bolt? It was replaced with a 8 grade bolt and nut from a bolt supplier free of cost, I don't think they were used to supplying only one and couldn't be bothered with a few cent. I was assured by a lbs that I won't be able to break this one! [smiley=nod.gif]

[k2biker]

if you break a grade 8 bolt, that's saying something!  what type of biek do you have and how long have you ridden it?  I have a '98 Beast (purple/yellow) and broke the upper bolt last year.  nothing to be concerned with, with all the abuse we give these bikes, stuff breaks!!

HAPPY TRAILS!
~C

[numbnuts]

I have an evo 4 2000 but only ridden for 8 months. I wasn't too upset or concerned except that it happened late the day before Easter Sunday, so nowhere was open to replace the bolt, I had to borrow my friends Dare which sucked because I was scared stiff of damaging it. I also managed to break off my rear brake lever during the same ride which made for some interesting downhills.

[keen]

  Maybe the bolt was simply of an inferior grade of metal but my new 01' Disco monkey had a loose swingarm. It was loose @ the main pivot which put most of the torsional side load on the lower shock bolt/ bushing. I replaced the shock bushing & tightened the pivot- now all is well.

[GET]

I had my upper shock bolt shear on my 5500C.  I also replaced it with a Grade 8.

[numbnuts]

Although I haven't had a problem with breakage my upper shock bolt was 6mm and the shock bushings were 8mm so I had to do some shimming.So I have just bought a new bushing from BETD in the UK which goes completely through the shock eye. They market it as a "strong bushing" and it makes sense that this will reduce stress on the bolt. I haven't installed it yet. BETD will make any size and also make hangers for K2/Proflex and seem to have excellent customer service. I wish I'd got a grade 8 bolt for the upper bushings while I was in the bolt shop also, it really can spoil your ride when they break.