Help! Stripped Threads On Allen Head Bolt
 

I put on a bump steer kit today from Weltmeister. I loosened the steering thing no problem there. Then I started to remove the gravel/stone guard under the car to expose the steering rack to place my spacers. On the PS towards the back I was missing a allen head bolt that holds the sway bar. Anyways, I did all the work and had an extra allen head bolt the same size so when I went to install it all it does is turn and I can pull it out by hand. This can't be good cause it goes in a hole. I can't even put a nut on the other side. It wouldn't bother me so much except it holds part of the front sway bar too. Any suggestions on how to fix this? Because I'm stumped?

BTW: It's going in for an alignment on Wednesday so it NEEDS to be fixed by then.

Bill....let me make sure this is happening, the whole threads are stripped not the allen bolt threads? You are sure that the allen bolt you have is the correct size? If that is the find out bolt thread size and pitch. Go to carquest and get a tap, the correct size drill and a helicoil with insert tool. Go home, follow instructions and voila it is fixed.

Your description is detailed, but missing some for me, at least.
What is the PS to which you are referring?
Can you take a photo and detail?

Why can't you put a nut on the other side? CAn you drill and tap the part? Install a helicoil?

A picture is worth a 1000 words.

Doug

It doesn't sound like he stripped it.
It's just the wrong size.
Be careful this one is easy to strip.
You need to force it to what feels to be unsquare.

PS= Passenger side

I thought maybe the bolt that I used was the wrong size so I used the bolt from the Drivers Side (DS). At least now I know I'm using the right size bolt and the head and the threads on the bolt are fine. The hole that bolt goes into is stripped out. I can screw it in by hand and it starts to snug up then clicks and the bolt goes loose again.

Drill and helicoil is the answer? Sorry, but what is a helicoil? I know about drilling and tapping, is it the same thing?

EDIT: Ok, a Helicoil is a replacing the stripped threads by inserting new ones. Got it.

Here is the bolt hole I'm talking about so you can see what I'm talking about...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1145651675.jpg

A helicoil is an insert that replaces the worn threads. So, rather than tapping the threads, which would require a larger bolt, you drill the hole slightly larger and then install the helicoil. This will allow for use of the same bolt size. This is a generalization of the process.

Tehy are tricky to get back somtimes.
Go to your local auot parts store and ask for a Helicoil kit. You basically drill the hole a bit larger than it is now and insert the "helicoil". The coil part becomes the new threads. Pretty cool, actually. It should be pretty easy as you can get to the hole straight on. Just follow the directions and youshould be golden.
Wanna sell the Fuch's in the background? :):):)

EDIT. Sorry abou the crappy spelling. I got a crick in my neck today for some stupid reason. DOH!!!

Find a helicoil kit for the size bolt you are installing. They usually come with a tap, and helicoil and driver. If you cannot find a kit, you will need to know the correct drill size to use. DO NOT simply drill it a little bigger, as previously stated.
1. Take the supplied drill bit, and drill out the existing thds. The drill should drill straight, as it will follow the existing hole.
2. Take the supplied tap, and tap new threads into the newly drilled hole. Take your time tapping, and with each full turn deeper, back it out and clear the chips from the new thd's you're cutting.
3. Insert the helicoil and break off the driver tab on the bottom, once it is installed.
4. Reassemble.
Photos below...

Here is what a helicoil thread kit looks like...Notice it even tell you what drill size is required. In this case, 1/4" drill. aka .250 drill
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1145660983.jpg
Here is the contents of the kit...Tap, helicoil driver, and I don't know what the blue plastic thing is for, as I have never needed to use it? Oh, the little bugger to the left, is the helicoil.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1145661173.jpg
In this photo I am trying to show you what the helicoil looks like. There are threads in the bore of this piece as well as external threads. Notice the little driving tang in the middle. This gets broken off once the helicoil is installed. BTW, it gets installed with the driving tang to the bottom of the hole.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1145661370.jpg
Now you're all done...Button her back up.

996 - great explanation and photos!

Doug

I wonder if a timesert wouldn't be a better bet for this. These holes often get raunched on because you're trying to pull the whole assembly into place with the bolt. Not sure if a helicoil will stand up to that over time...

ianc

before you go doing any helicoil work or taps, try realigning the threads with a chaser, it might just be an easy fix to you dilemna. Also make sure you have the correct size bolt, take the other side off and take it into an Ace Hardware, they have a gigantic supply of metric bolts.

ALL DONE!!!! http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat6.gif

Beer Time!!

I had the right bolt for sure without question. I went and picked up a Helicoil kit as stated previously. I used the proper drill size and followed the directions. Everything is all back together now. Worked GREAT! Thanks for everyones help!!!

I'm DONE with Weltmeister, unless they I NEED something and THEY are the only one who makes it. Their customer/technical service is absolutely HORRIBLE. Right before I hung up on them I told the guy that I was REALLY glad I bought my strut brace from Elephant Racing instead of Weltmeister.

Wayne - The Fuchs aren't for sale. I just got those from Al Reed the other day. I know you were joking. But, MAN they look great! Check out some pics here:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=272555&perpage=20&highl ight=photoshop&pagenumber=2

Glad to hear you got it back together. Too bad it's late for a drive. You'll like the feeling with the kit installed.

Yeah, I was just joking on the Fuchs but I really am getting the itch to go for a set of 7's and 9's for the car. Yours look fantastic!!

BTW_ I won't be going to Lansing tomorrow. Our little one isn't sleeping much at night. I may take a little run in the morning to the barber but that's probably it.
Have fun at the Thomas thing in Detroit.

Wayne - I can tell you aren't getting enough sleep! Thomas is tomorrow that PM I sent you was for NEXT Sat (the 29th). I can't drive it yet anyways, it sucks cause I want to. I might sleep in it tonight though. J/K! Remember? I lowered it and I have an alignment scheduled for Wed. Then I'll take pics and update some other of my threads. But since everything is done I'm getting anxious.

Watch for a Thomas thread in OT. I'll post pics of our day over there.

Cool, maybe I can make it afterall. I went out and reset my fuel mixture to the summer setting tonight. I also deleted the heater system. I posted a thread on my homemade block off plate. It's the container my clay bar came in. It fit perfectly.

Night, all.