Thread renovation question

[Eugene B.]

Members,
I'm having an issue associated with installing front shocks on my '65.

The lower shock mounting bolt (5/16-18) feels soft when I approach the final torque setting. I'm concerned that the threads in the nut that is welded to the lower control arm are partially stripped.

Does anyone have a suggestion on how to solve this problem without disassembling the front end and having a new nut welded into the lower control arm?

Thanks in advance for all ideas.

Gene

[William C.]

Re: Thread renovation question

A helicoil should do the job

[Harmon C.]

Re: Thread renovation question

Gene Puting a nut on top of the weld nut on the bolt will hold if you don't worry about the look in this hard to see area. Lyle

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Thread renovation question

Get a rethreading bit for that size and use it. You will be surprised at how well that fixes the threads. Still, if the threads have been taken out too much, the idea of the second nut is the best.

[Eugene B.]

Re: Thread renovation question

Mike,
Can you give me more information about a rethreading bit? I have never heard of the term.

Also seems like I remember hearing, on this board, of a Loctite product that beefs up threads.

Thanks for all ideas.

Regards,
Gene

[Dick W.]

Re: Thread renovation question

Gene, I believe that he is refering to a tap pin. This is used to repair damaged threads or to cut threads in previously unthreaded metal. I made the post about the loctite product but I would probably be a bit leary of it in a high stress location like a shock.

[Eugene B.]

Re: Thread renovation question

Dick,
Thank you for your Email reply.

You'll have to excuse me but I don't recognize the term "tap pin". I am; however, familiar with thread cutting taps and dies.

You're right. I don't think that the Loctite product would be very good in this application. There is a product called a Time-sert that I'll probably use if the shock bolt loosens significantly.

Thanks again for the reply.

Regards,
Gene

[Dick W.]

Re: Thread renovation question

Just different verbage, same thing. Us "hillbillies and rednecks" have a language of our own. Lyle had a good idea with the second nut. Would work and not be visible for judging.

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Thread renovation question

Hi Gene,

You can buy the rethreading kits from Sears. The rethreading taps and dies ae different than the regular threading taps and dies. They are designed to recut your old threads back, not cut new threads across your originals.

If you use a regular tap on your threads, you may get in your originals and you may cut across them (cross thread) and then you would have even less strength than you have now.

Loctite is great stuff on timing gear bolts and such, but I wouldn't use it where you need a lot of strength like this.

Mike

[Eugene B.]

Re: Thread renovation question

Mike,

Thank you for the great tip about the Sears rethreading kit. I just looked it up in my latest catalog. Didn't realize that such an item existed.

Will put Sears on my list of errands today.

Thanks and best regards,
Gene

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Thread renovation question

Like the tap and die sets, the Craftsman rethreading kit isn't cheap. But it was the best $50 I spent on this '79 as it seemed every other hole was messed up from the guys who worked on it previously.