87 930 Sway Bar Mounting Issue

[dgarrood]

Seasons Greeting to all,

I have owned my 930 for 6 months now - all is well so far. For my winter project I decided to rebuild the front suspension. To make a long story short with help from the information on this forum and the 101 projects book I got the tie rod ends, ball joints (torn rubber boots all around) and ER poly bronze bushings installed with only minor problems.

My last problem is not too big but would like opinions on the best fix. The subject is the driver's side sway bar mount (under car), rear bolt (10mm socket head) - the boss on the floor pan is stripped not allowing the bolt to seat correctly. The threads are OK for about three turns (by hand) and then binding occurs. I put about 30Ft lbs of torque on it but no go. I don't want to strip the threads completely by over torquing.

My approach to fix this is to try chasing the threads with a bottom tap when I obtain one. (small town hardware store no help)

My question is: If chasing the threads fails, what is the best next approach? Drill out and heli-coil? Timeserts (never used them before), Drill oversize and tap for a 12mm (how much wall is there in the boss?), put a 10mm stud in there along with JB weld?

Any help/opinions are appreciated.

Dennis

[Flieger]

Don't use a tap. Use a thread chaser. Taps are designed to cut new threads and will make the existing threads too thin and bolts will be loose. Thread chasers look like taps but are designed for cleaning damaged threads.

[A930Rocket]

Fleiger has it right. If that fails, then then Timesert would be next followed by the Heli-coil. I wouldn't go with an oversize bolt, as it might not even fit the bushing?

Because I was pressed for time and couldn't find a Timesert, I used a Heli-coil and it's been good for years. I use a little blue Loctite for grins.

[mark houghton]

Hey Dennis, how's things in Chelan? Kinda white here in Ephrata...I should roll the car out in the drive for a photoshoot, but white-on-white probably wouldn't take well.

I can't add anything to the advice already given. With any luck the thread chaser is all you'll need.

By the way, how about posting a few obligatory picts? Your 6 month grace period is up!

[dgarrood]

Thanks for the input guys. I have a thread refurb kit on order as well as 10mm helicoil repair kit if necessary. I found a highly rated kit at Sears for 70 bucks; but then found the same one on Amazon for $50.

Mark, Things are white here in Chelan also. Not much opportunity to drive with the car torn apart. In hindsight I started too early, shoulda waited a couple more weeks.

I am attempting to attach photos to this message.

[A930Rocket]

Great looking pictures and car!

[mark houghton]

Oh yeah babe, now we're talking! Very nice looking car, and parked at some of my favorite stops.