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john 33_16v 16 Valve
Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 1406 Location: herts, uk
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject: Front Hub thread repair -helicoil |
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Hi,
Jobs list on 33 going well, cambelts, oil/filter, front wheel bearing play, front pads all done in last few weeks or so.
Also decided to finally get around to repairing the thread on one of my front hub-strut bolts which has been dicky for years and had a (bent)nut and bolt . I bought the toolkit months and months ago off ebay. It's not a genuine helicoil but does the same job. Suprisingly straightforward.
1) Drill out hole- used an in between 10mm bit before the bit in the toolkit.
2) Tap it out
3) Insert coil and punch off 'tang'.
4) Put original bolt back in
Pics
John _________________ If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue |
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lee16v 16 Valve
Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 1429 Location: Devon, UK
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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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Top piece of kit John. Will always come in handy on an Alfas rusty threads! |
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BigAl P4
Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2990 Location: U.K Surrey
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:06 am Post subject: |
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nice one john, why does it always seem to be the top one that fails, ive had them go on 2 of my cars. I might have a go one day at what you have just done. _________________ x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203 |
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Ben_nz Gold Cloverleaf
Joined: 30 Sep 2003 Posts: 575 Location: Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:19 am Post subject: |
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I've had my mechanic do that on one of my cars, and the other car still has dodgy half-munched threads on a few of the hub sockets and bolts.
What do you do if the thread on the bolt is also gone? The bolts are tapered on the ends to help them locate into the holes, but this is a bit of a curse because the metal is too much like cheese to reject a bolt which is cross-threading, resulting in damage to bolt and socket.
I am super-careful now when lining the strut up with the hub and fitting these bolts back in, but I would like everything to be repaired properly. _________________ "Now, all that is left to do ... is wait that something else brokens, to fix up again!" |
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john 33_16v 16 Valve
Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 1406 Location: herts, uk
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:50 am Post subject: |
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Hi,
I guess that if the tread on the bolt has gone to, it must be replaced with a good used one or a long bolt would have to be machined down to give the taper.
Part of the problem is that it is such a cowson to line up the hub with the strut face, and as such easy to slightly misalign the bolts and strip threads. I always remove the track rod end from the shocker and loosen the top turret nuts, whic helps a bit.
The nsf shocker on my car had been replaced before i bought my car, supposedly by a specialist. They had obviously managed to part muller the thread in question, and even bugger the tread on one of top turret studs by forcing on a nut with the wrong guage thread .
Over the years as i've replaced shockers, had engine out 3 times etc, the thread on the hub has got worse and worse.
Anyway the helicoil process is very straightforward and i'd recommend doing it.
John _________________ If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue |
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paulhide P4
Joined: 20 Dec 2003 Posts: 1607 Location: Oh Beautiful Billingham
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: |
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If the bolt is buggered I have just used normal bolts once or twice, but now probably have a number of spare bolts if anyone wants any. _________________ Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188 |
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john 33_16v 16 Valve
Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 1406 Location: herts, uk
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:27 am Post subject: |
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Paul, can you put my name on 2 good bolts please for spares?
Are you going to be at SAD?
Cheers,
John _________________ If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue |
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paulhide P4
Joined: 20 Dec 2003 Posts: 1607 Location: Oh Beautiful Billingham
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 11:46 am Post subject: |
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Hi John, yes I am going to SAD. Fancy joining up on route with me and hopefully a few others? I'll see how many bolts I've got spare. _________________ Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188 |
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BigAl P4
Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2990 Location: U.K Surrey
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:56 pm Post subject: |
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I have got removing the struts down to a fine art, from changing springs.
I found that jacking the whole front and keeping the steering straight makes the job much easier. _________________ x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203 |
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john 33_16v 16 Valve
Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 1406 Location: herts, uk
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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paulhide wrote: |
Hi John, yes I am going to SAD. Fancy joining up on route with me and hopefully a few others? I'll see how many bolts I've got spare. |
Yep, will try to join a convoy if possible. Please post route/ meeting points nearer the day.
Cheers,
John _________________ If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue |
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bobbber P4
Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2162 Location: The Greatest Town on Earth - Swadlincote, UK
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 11:32 am Post subject: |
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John,
I have a problem with one of the bolts on a head cover. Just-blooding-soddingly-enough on one of the front corners. As a result oil pisses out of it constantly
Thinking about heli-coiling this now.
Couldn't believe this happened actually. Torqued all the bolts up and everything felt fine. Then when the engine went in it started leaking. Checked the bolt and it now has a broken thread in the engine side. Gutted.
Bob _________________ Fiat Bravo 165 Sport |
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john 33_16v 16 Valve
Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 1406 Location: herts, uk
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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Nightmare Bobbber
I got my helicoil kit off of ebay, i think the seller was 'dave the Tools' or similar. They have loads of kits for different dia and thread pitch.
For spark plug repairs in ally heads they seem to be different kits that don't require drilling. The tap simply cuts a much bigger thread, then the helicoil spring fills it back out to standard size.
It's a really effective repair but you've obviously gotta get the tools in possibly including an electric drill.
Cheers,
John _________________ If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue |
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bobbber P4
Joined: 14 May 2003 Posts: 2162 Location: The Greatest Town on Earth - Swadlincote, UK
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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Is that the British kit John???
If so, the manufacturer is in the next building to where I'm sat right now! _________________ Fiat Bravo 165 Sport |
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john 33_16v 16 Valve
Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 1406 Location: herts, uk
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Posted: Fri May 01, 2009 5:10 pm Post subject: |
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bobbber wrote: |
Is that the British kit John???
If so, the manufacturer is in the next building to where I'm sat right now! |
The box just says ''wire thread insert'' no company name or address. _________________ If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
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93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue |
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