help - Stripped bolt repair? - Sportbike Addicts

BoRkA · 03-04-2008, 08:30 AM

So, yesterday i installed a hitch on my 2001 Maxima and i stiripped one bolt that goes into the frame of the car, i went to HDR (Home depot racing) and bought another identical bolt (10x1.25x30) and hoped i have only stripped the bolt, but i actually stripped the hole in the cars frame

what can i do? the position of that hole makes it impossible to get a drill in there to redrill for anoter size thread.

should i attempt and get a one size larger bolt and try to shove it in there?

CBRBob · 03-04-2008, 09:20 AM

Try running a tap of the same size in there to clean up the threads. Then use a slightly longer bolt if possible. You are using Grade8 bolts on the frame to tow, right?

If that dosent work you may need to go to the next larger size. Would a right angle drill fit? You would have to tap the next size up and use an appropriate bolt.

NYCSTRIPES · 03-04-2008, 10:54 AM

For something that small, bring it to the local shop and have them re-tap the stripped threads or resize the hole to a larger size. It depends upon how badly its been stripped.

Ken

BoRkA · 03-05-2008, 12:06 AM

What do you mean by running a tap?

i bought a new bolt of the same size and it spins freely in there so the hole thread is stripped.
i think im gonna have to bring it in to a shop for them to redrill for the next size up.

The bolt has 8.8 imprinted on the head (what ever that means).

thats a 40 dollar mistake

IrocRob · 03-05-2008, 12:31 AM

This is a tap. First you drill the correct diameter hole for the tap you
want to use. Then you slowy turn the tap into the hole, going both
forward and backward so that the tap can cut the new threads easily.
Be sure to run the tap as straight as possible to avoid binding,
and use oil or WD-40 as a lubricant.

NYCSTRIPES · 03-05-2008, 12:44 AM

Another option would be to have a helicoil installed which inserts a pre-threaded coil into the stripped hole to return the hole back to its original size.
The only thing here is will the section of metal be thick enough to make use of a heal-a-coil.
http://www.emhart.com/products/helicoil.asp

Here's another type of the commercially available units called a "Time - Sert"
http://www.timesert.com/html/mtrcsert.html

This can be done for you at any competent shop. But like I said, it really depends upon the thickness of the section of metal you intend to fit one of these coils into. If its thin, I would just opt to have the stripped hole opened up and re-tapped to go up to a larger size bolt.
Ken

Gear Dog · 03-11-2008, 08:22 AM

If you can put the new bolt in and it spins freely you can try just putting the next size tap in there. HD sells tap sets as well as single taps so you should be able to find one with no problem.
You basically ripped out all of the threads and since a starting tap is tapered you should be able to do it without drilling it out.
The problem would be the tap handle since you say the space is limited.
Spray it with lube then 1/2 turn in 1/4 turn back. Keep doing that until the tap goes all the way through, then spray some more lube in after to clean it out.