helicoil sub frame bolt hole.

[steve_k]

evening folks,

sorry the title ain't very clear

got a bit of a problem, earlier tonite at a mate's i was helping him remove the front subframe on his e30, all going fine till the rear bolt (pas side) decided to snap of & leave about 15mm of it in the chassis rail.

managed ro get the remains out thanks to an "easy out" type drill bit (he did that while i made the tea)

now my question is this, would it be possible to use a helicoil to repair it??

if so what size would i need??

help me out please folks as he needs the car ready for mot on Tuesday.

thanks in advance.

[steve_k]

anybody??

[steve_k]

just got my hands on helicoil kit,

so let the fun begin (when it finally stops raining)

never used one before, i was thinking of using some thread-locker (red, permanent) on the outside of the insert & but none on the bolt when it goes back in.

yay or nay??

[steve_k]

just a thought, would it be easier to retap/recut the bolt hole to a larger size? got a full tap & die set,
just trying to find out which will be easier/stronger.

[Brianmoooore]

????? If you removed the remains using an 'easy out', then what needs repairing??

[steve_k]

????? If you removed the remains using an 'easy out', then what needs repairing??

sorry for not being very clear,

got the remains out, tried another bolt (same size) & it would seem the treads ar shot as the bolt just spins & wont "bite" thats why i thought about a helicoil.

[jimf]

You are going to have to tap out to a larger size for the helicoil anyway so if you can fit a bolt that is one size up you may as well just go for that.

[steve_k]

You are going to have to tap out to a larger size for the helicoil anyway so if you can fit a bolt that is one size up you may as well just go for that.

Cheers Jim

Looks like that could be the plan of attack then.

[martauto]

No need to use any locktight or such as the helicoil will hold in place really well.

Mart.

[steve_k]

No need to use any locktight or such as the helicoil will hold in place really well.

Mart.

Thanks for that mart

[martauto]

By the way, is this a blind hole or through hole?

Mart.

[steve_k]

It's a blind hole,

Rear mount hole on the front subframe where it bolts to the chassis rail.

[steve_k]

well i got the helicoil fitted yesterday,

was surprisingly easy to do, don't know what i was worrying about lol,
put the "new" bolt in, tightened it up to spec & all seems well,

fingers crossed for his mot next week,

as for the helicoil kit, not bad for under a tenner, might look into getting a few bigger ones just in case.

[martauto]

I`ve used these for years on soft materials which need a strong thread and never had any issues with them at all.
It`s no dark art is it lol.

Mart.

[steve_k]

I`ve used these for years on soft materials which need a strong thread and never had any issues with them at all.
It`s no dark art is it lol.

Mart.

thanks for that mart, was just a bit unsure as i've never done it before, was afraid i'd screw it up

but, nice & easy, only took about 20mins taking my time.

worrying about nothing lol.

[maxfield]

Where did you get a helicoil kit for under a tenner?

[steve_k]

Where did you get a helicoil kit for under a tenner?

Off a mate of mine, had it on his shed & decided to let it go as he wasn't using it anymore.

Plenty on eBay cheap enough.

[maxfield]

I've got about 10 helicoil kits and all have been about £30-£40

[steve_k]

seen plenty starting at £20 from the likes of machine mart & even your place.
seems to depend on what size thread you want.