I am just posting my opinion here and the opinion of apparently many others after I searched around on google. I have sheared off both the left and right lower bolts on the shock mounts with these new Ranch RS5000 shocks I got. Apparently it is all over the net when I typed "Rancho sheared bolt" in google. It is a pain and I am wondering now if it will continue to shear off bolts I put in there. Obviously something is wrong here with these shocks.

 

It seems to be a common problem. I guess they used to low grade of a bolt on it. Just try to use an easy out. Or just drill it then retap it with a larger tap.

I don't believe it is due to the Rancho shocks.

 

The rancho shocks came with two choices of bushings to insert into the lower rubber bumper on the shock, the bushings are steel and I should have been smarter and checked closer when I put them on, but I used the one that fit the tightest, I am starting to think now that it might not have been tight enough and the little bit of play that the bushings left may have begun to work away at the bolts.

What I don't get is that I have never had this problem with other shocks.

I think I can get enough on the bolt to get it out, retapping is no problem. I am almost afraid to upgrade to a grade 8 bolts and risk damaging my control arm threads, what do you think?

 

I think the control arm could handle it. Now that I think of it most of the posts were of the bolts braking during removal, antiseize may help that problem but may let it walk out.

How exactly did they brake? Were you removing them at the time? Or you were just driving and "Snap" they broke? Or you just noticed them broken?

 

Both times I have noticed it on the expressway going over bumps. I will be driving and all of a sudden I will feel a tire bouncing, like my shocks went out. Won't hear a snap, just notice the bouncing feeling in the steering wheel and the noise of the control arm bottoming out. Not sure how long it was like that, when I am in town there aren't too many bumps and the speeds are low.

They sheared off right just at the edge of the control arm. Not removing or working on them.

 

Oh okay. Maybe the bushing was a tad bit loose, which did cause it to work on cutting the bolt. I say a grade 8 would be best to use as well as the correct bushing.

 

I am guessing the bushings provided were maybe my problem. Time to go to the local hardware store and search through the bins I guess.

 

I would take them off and get your money back, if they are new model you may even be lookin at a recall.

 

When replacing the bolt, as Crazy said, use a grade 8 bolt.
These are the strongest bolts you can buy (at least, as a typical consumer)

I don't remember the size of the bolt, but it is a common size.

Bolt grade markings are explained: http://www.unified-eng.com/scitech/bolt/boltmarks.html

 

If he used bolts that came with the shocks then i would have returned them and bought a different brand.