This is exactly what you should do. Helicoils are stronger than the OEM threads.
Stripped Threads on Front Crossmember
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Phoenix AZ
Stripped Threads on Front Crossmember
I stripped the threads on one of the front crossmember stabilizer bolt holes on my C6. ARGHHH. Any suggestions on the best way to fix this? Drill and tap the next bigger size and use a bigger bolt? Thanks in advance.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,003
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From: Phoenix AZ
Safety Car
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Is the bolt going into a nut welded into the frame or is it just threaded into the frame which is thinner metal? A nut has plenty of meat to drill it one size bigger and retap.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Phoenix AZ
So is a bigger bolt. I thought the purpose of using a helicoil is in applications were it not possible to drill it one size bigger and tap new threads.
Is the bolt going into a nut welded into the frame or is it just threaded into the frame which is thinner metal? A nut has plenty of meat to drill it one size bigger and retap.
Is the bolt going into a nut welded into the frame or is it just threaded into the frame which is thinner metal? A nut has plenty of meat to drill it one size bigger and retap.
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From: When all is said and done... there is a hell of a lot more said than done. Riverside,Texas
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A heli-coil is your best bet in aluminum. The next suggestion would be a keen-sert which does not require a heli-coil tap or insertion tool.
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Melting Slicks
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If you drill and tap to a larger size, the piece bolting to the new threads will have to have it's hole enlarged for the bigger bolt. Not always wise or even possible.
Melting Slicks
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I also had the same issue when changing out my front sway. Actually, the car was nearly new, and I suspect it was over tightened and half-stripped from Bowling Green (actually, I've discovered several fasteners that came from the factory waaaay over torqued, and several under torqued). Anyway, the helicoil is the way to fix it. Good luck.
