A mystery to solve...

So....

I installed some TF Big Bore shocks on my rear axle (One Ten 1985). With the shocks were the washers and bushes. The bottom (that went onto the axle) had two washers and two bushes. So I fitted them with the washer on top, then bush, then through the axle fitting, then 2nd bush, 2nd washer and nut.

Something like this...

That was 8 years ago, and lots and lots of miles.

The right hand shock came off at the bottom the other day - on inspection the bottom thread snapped off. But clearly some time ago and only just POP'd out now. My thoughts is that as I was missing the washers that lip together to make a protective insert as the thread goes through the axle, like this....

...The thread bar was worn through. Which is why it looks so rusted over.

Here is the shock end now removed...






THE QUESTION IS: Am I correct?

As a Part 2:

This seemed to happen while driving over a speed bump at my kid's school (My partner was driving and she heard a very loud bang). So going back to the speed bump later, I found a washer that looked just like the bottom washer for the shock bush in the road.

The washer looks like this one.
Right beside it I found this bolt...


There are three other old landy's that drive in and out of the school - but it would be an amazing alignment of the planets if one of them had dropped a bolt at the very speed bump that seemed to break the shock free (and had the washer lying near it). BUT I can't find where this bolt might have come from. The rear has drum breaks and the only thing it looks like to be is a break calliper fixing bolt, but at the front they are all in.

So...
have I just picked up a random on bolt?
If it's from my car - where the hell did it come off????

That is a calliper bolt.

tottot said:

That is a calliper bolt.

Click to expand...

Just what I was going to say. Not a lot else uses bi-hex.

Which is what i thought. But that means it's NOT my calliper bolt. So this speed bump has been bringing land rovers to their knees for some time.

NiallRussell said:

Which is what i thought. But that means it's NOT my calliper bolt. So this speed bump has been bringing land rovers to their knees for some time.

Click to expand...

I've got one at the top of my road that so far has cost me a BMW front spring and an Alfa headlight.

the odds of two cars, BOTH old landy's, having bit come off, at the same speed bump.... is hurting my mind.

That calliper bolt hasn’t been on a vehicle for a while looking at the threads

My guess is that you've had that lodged somewhere on your chassis for years and the shock pin shearing has just knocked it loose

the_wolf said:

My guess is that you've had that lodged somewhere on your chassis for years and the shock pin shearing has just knocked it loose

Click to expand...

that is the most believable idea so far.