It is hard to believe them bolts could come loose without very noticeable noise coming from feeder chain. I would get yourself a shock kit and leave both front and rear in grain position so chain will find it`s own height for the amount of crop coming in. I believe the 1997 is to be campaigned to install shocks and the 1996 will accept kit also. We have been leaving drum stops in grain position for all crops,even corn, ever since installing shocks a couple years ago and no problems. Be sure you have rear feed drive sprocket stripper in place for corn and front may be nessasary also but I would remove for most other crops.