Hey guys so I am finishing up the lift.. Had some very very crazy hiccups which I'll update in my build thread So anyways I got the front bolts in the eye for the struts and I cannot tighten them any further .. I can tell by where the dirt/rust is on the thread they have never been tightened any further than where I got them. They are definitely snug and not moving but still.. There is this gap.. I've used impact etc. the stut does not slide at all. Here are some pics.. Thanks!

Are they going to fall out? Doubtful.

Should you replace them? I would.

You don't need to go to the dealer to get replacements. Take a bolt to a good hardware store, they should have a replacement. The bolt head should have a number on it (like 10.9). This is the class of bolt (strength). Don't get a lower number. Make sure the nuts are the same class too.

Okay thanks. Any reason why they fit originally? Or why it looks like they weren't threaded any further but I believe we're flush against the mounting bracket when I took em off

The nuts used to be where the shiny part was. You only have them tightened to the rusty part which was definitely exposed before. They must be cross threaded.

You're looking at the pictures the wrong way bud. The clean threads that you're having trouble back onto are the ones that have been covered by the nut. They're not clean because they've been exposed to the elements all these years. Do it right, way too important not to.

I have no idea why they aren't sucking up.
I have removed mine a dozen times and never had any issues. I have also done a half dozen other rigs, also without issues.

You could either
A) Get new bolts

OR

B) Chase the threads on the bolts to try and clear the threads.

That lower shock bolt appear to be metric, now are you using the same for the nut? Did you have the shop redo the front strut/coil assembly?

^ This.

Once you buy a tap and die set, you'll be using it frequently.

Any shiny part of the bolt was not exposed to the elements previously, you don't have that nut on as tight as it was before. I'm guessing it's cross threaded as well. Just get some new hardware and call it a day.

hahaha ya woah sorry 12 hours working straight then coming home to this i had my north and south confused, yes thanks haha the bolt was to where it looks new hence its not dirty, okay i agree i am going to try and match the hardware at a specialty store otherwise the dealer.. could it have been having to bang them in and out? maybe it folded the thread.. i have the original nuts on there, and yep took the struts back and had them aligned up perfect, any advice on putting the panhard back in.. ive tried to majority of options out there.. should i connect the panhard before putting in the rear shocks? im trying the ratchet method next.. for the time being i dont have a panhard drop and need the truck back on the road!!

I would say that Blckpgsr is on to something... are you using the right sized nut?

It may not be neccessary but get a grade 8 bolt. Or if you wanted you could go to the dealership and pic up the hardware. No doubt the hardware store would be cheaper though.

You can get them at Toyota for cheap:

90170-14026 Nut $2
90105-14104 Bolt $7.60

I know this because I fubard the threads on one side of mine when I pounded it back in. You may have done the same. The picture tells me the nut is correct and on too far to be crossed.

But fix that pronto and torque to spec.

Yeah, you're probably right about that nut being too far on to be cross threaded. I bought those bolts and nuts from the dealer but please tell me I didn't spend that much .....You can get a grade 8 from a bolt store for a dollar or 2.