Front Shock Stud Repair

[abramjp48]

I had the stud that the ARB (sway bar) fastens to pull out.  Is it possible to weld or braze the stud back on to the shock without damaging the shock? I know people have done this with the shock in place but I would expect the heat from the welding would damage the bushing in the shock.  My plan is to remove the shock from the car, press out the bushing and weld the stud back in (Stud looks fine and appears to have just pulled out from the weld as if the original weld did pentitate the stud.)

As an alternative I have thought about making a U shaped stud mount that would replace the spacers on either side of the shock bushing and hold the stud.  Some people have suggested that this approach would risk damage to the suspension if the ARB gets hit and pushed back again. My feeling is that this would put any more load on the suspension than the stud being welded to the bottom of the shock. 

Your thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

John Abram
74 TCS, 69 S2

[jbcollier]

I would MIG it.  Brazing requires a lengthy heat build up.

[Clifton]

Mig or tig. I found and bought non Europa specific adjustable front shocks and welded a bolt to the bottom eye with bushing still in place. Tack, dip in water, weld a little, dip in water, over and over. I used compressed air to blow the water off so I could keep going. You would melt the bushing out but you risk melting it enough so it isn't bonded.

[4129R]

One of my front shox hit concrete as I was driving into my garage. It turned out the anti-roll bar mounting was a threaded stud into the shocker.

If you cannot weld, maybe you could drill and tap for a 5/16"UNF stud.