Cricket in my Thing

[gblair]

HI
I have a sound that is driving me nuts(not far to get there). Had my wife pushing on my rear bumper and I could see the bolt attaching the rear shock mount(not sure if that is what that is called) to the body of the car moving. I tried to tighten it and could not get it to budge. I think if I used an impact it might tighten. Is that a good idea or do these have a tendency to brake off?
Any ideas on what I should do?
Thank

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[GI Joe]

That is one of the rear body bolts... So, actually your body is bolted to the shock mount.. Anyway,
I would Not hit it with an impact.... Give it a few soak cycles with your favorite penetrating fluid and then try again with a socket.. Also, a quicker fix may be to just spray some silicone lube onto that rubber bushing sandwiched between the body and shock mount.. It's probably pretty dry and is chirping between the metal..

I spray all the rubber bushings I can find on All my cars, as chirps and squeaks drive me nuts!!

Good luck!
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[saddlesore1]

I have found a good torch will brake up what ever is bonding it. If you get the head of the bolt close to glowing, let it cool down a bit then put a wrench on it might get it to move.

[gblair]

Would anyone know where to get the rubber buffer 111-799-119 (find item 3 in the parts manual page 172) These are hard as rocks and if I get them loose I would like to just replace them?

[brooklyn thing]

Hmm.....I would be very careful about trying to turn those bolts. Don't you risk breaking the welds that hold the nut? Aren't the nuts inaccessible without cutting a hole in the body? I mention this because one of mine broke free and the bolt just spins. I was thinking of cutting the rubber out, cut a groove in a slightly larger rubber washer and force them into place with the body jacked up slightly.

[kubelmann]

These body pads are a common VW part and not Thing specific. The mounting hardware on the other hand is Thing only and should be soaked with PB Blaster of other rust penetrant. If I was removing those bolts I would do it over the period of a week.. First heat slightly and then spray PB blaster. I would start by trying to ever so slightly tighten then loosen the bolt. I would mover apply much pressure. Just keep working toward that free movement with no force.. When these bolts break that are a pan to repair. Ask me how I know. . It is way easier to take your time and get the bolt out. If you are patient and take your time, every bolt will come out. The minute you put your back into it, usually a bolt breaks. Each side originally had two pads.. They slide on the steel bushing that goes on the body bolt. The center section of the Thing’s body bolts solidly to the pan. The front and rear of the body bolts with rubber pads to the rear torsion arm assembly and the front beam as suspension shock mounts.. The factory Thing manual says pn 111799 119 The Thing shop sells 111 899 115A This part is important to get OE and the rubber needs to be pliable. If you install an aftermarket (stiff rubber) the pad will crack and break within less than year. Ask me how I know.. West Coast Metric (and others have the “real” part... Do not be fooled. CSP have the original part for under $3:
http://www.csp-shop.com/cgi-bin/cshop2/front/shop_main.cgi?func=detail&artnr=12370c