Cracked Shock Towers

[66ford289]

66 mustang coupe, I am in the process of all the metal repair. The drivers shock tower is cracked. I have welded to keep it from cracking any futher. I need a longer bolt to compensate for the distance that the tower moved so I can get the upper arm nut on there all the way. Does anybody know if I can just drive down to the hardware store and pick up some longer bolts to fit what i need? Is there a kit for fixing this problem that has the longer bolts, right now I have too much negative camber. or should I just replace the tower all together?

 

[1967eleanor]

id sugest if you can replace the whole tower you can get a whole tower for like 200$ from most parts supliers that way itd b alot safer and you wont need to get new bolts

 

[BullittFB]

You need at least grade 8 bolts, if you just get the hardware stuff, pretty soon your car will have cracks all over, not just the tower.
Just get a new tower, they're about 120 bucks. Takes longer but is a far better fix. Take your time cutting up the old tower, it's not that hard.

 

[66ford289]

Yeah, but c'mon who doesn't love two halves of a Mustang. I just look at as a 1000lbs weight reduction(of the back half of the car when it splits) Either that or maybe I will just fix it and spend some more quality time with my drill and air chisel. A few hundred spot welds never hurt anybody. Thanks for the advice.

 

[rbohm]

dont forget to address the real cause of shock tower cracking, and that is that the upper control arm bushings have siezed up, or did in the past, and the towers are flexing.

 

[YellowMach69]

changing complete shock towers results in pulling motor right?because the new shock towers have motor mount areas included.im gonna weld mine up ,i know for sure to pull motor and do a complete shock tower change would definATLY put my car out of commission for whole summer.i will eventually change them but maybe a winter project,I bet if i took this to a place to have them do it ,it would cost like 3 grand.and after spending big money on my car to purchase ,id be embarrased having everyone know the car needs towers,I wont even open my hood to anyone till i get them changed.

 

[Jester67]

changing complete shock towers results in pulling motor right?because the new shock towers have motor mount areas included.im gonna weld mine up ,i know for sure to pull motor and do a complete shock tower change would definATLY put my car out of commission for whole summer.i will eventually change them but maybe a winter project,I bet if i took this to a place to have them do it ,it would cost like 3 grand.and after spending big money on my car to purchase ,id be embarrased having everyone know the car needs towers,I wont even open my hood to anyone till i get them changed.

Yellow
I thought you where going to try to get your money back.

 

[YellowMach69]

talked with a lawyer, He said i could try but them being out of state would make it hard,but possible , I called them and they reimbursed me $500.00 and sent me big block braces , so after i weld them up im gonna add tyhe big block braces over the welds and hopefuly strengthen it even more

 

[66ford289]

dont forget to address the real cause of shock tower cracking, and that is that the upper control arm bushings have siezed up, or did in the past, and the towers are flexing.

So your saying that the upper arm isn't moving(easily)? So I should definately replace those bushings. If this is true should I look into a suspesion rebuild kit, i've got the car apart right now so i'm willing to go at it.

 

[YellowMach69]

So your saying that the upper arm isn't moving(easily)? So I should definately replace those bushings. If this is true should I look into a suspesion rebuild kit, i've got the car apart right now so i'm willing to go at it.

If you got it apart id definatly replace bushings,You really dont need to replace the whole front end just get new bushings , ball joints, links etc. unless you have some money then id convert to coilover conversion