Any one used a helicoil kit?

Been attaching my new JK tow bar today, which is the only one I could find specifically for a crossover and when torquing it up at the end one of the captive nuts that holds the bumper on in the chassis stripped it's threads . Anyone had experience with a helicoil kit? Ordered one on eBay hoping this will do the job.

Even though the towbar was best just shy of £200 it is well made and cleared my custom exhaust. Well pleased with it.

Cheers.

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Yes lots of times but this isn’t the time , best bet is to weld a stud in the hole or cut out the chassis to weld a new captive nut in

 

Welding a stud in sounds a good idea. Will have a go with the kit first then reach for the welder.

What did you mean by 'this isn't the time'?

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x2 for the stud. Helicoils work well, but not there. There’s hardly any meat for them to thread into.

Worth taking a look at the inside of your chassis rails if you can, to see why the nut dropped off...you won’t like what you see...

 

Ah - understand.

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The nut is still there, I just stripped the thread. At least there will be enough grip to hold the stud in place before I weld it.

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Ah, sorry. Stud’s a good idea, then.

 

Why don’t you just re thread it using tap & die set.

 

I have tried with the M10. I would have to go to M12. Would it possible? I presume I would have to drill it out first using a slightly smaller drill bit?

 

Yup. Nothing to lose. Or another option a rivnut?

 

I will Google that one

 

I think there’s a few on here with the tool. Myself included.

 

I have been told (earlier in this thread) that the helicoil won't take the pounding a towbar gives.

 

Rivnut is different. They are quite often used for seat belts. If it’s good enough for that, it’s good enough for towing.

 

I will look it up - thanks

 

You won't be able to get a rivnut in if there's a captive nut behind the chassis rail - too thick.

 

Back to welding a stud in option then.

 

If you're willing to drill out the mounting holes in the tow bar, you could drill & tap for a larger bolt (which Kay's Fasteners on fleaBay will sell you).

M10 - drill hole out to 8.5mm, then tap
M12 - drill out to 10.2mm (10 plus a light filing)

Just buy a cheap tap of the right size on fleaBay.