Damaged thread on rear subframe (hicas mount)..help

[DJ]

I was re-installig my hicas lock bar when I realised it was getting really hard to tighten the bolt and I still had alot of thread left to go.I stopped and realised that the bolt was going in crooked(diagonal) and now it will only thread in like that.Whats a possible solution to fix this..

I'll be removing the subframe soon maybe I can fix it easier that way.

[frankiman]

re-tap the hole, and use red locktite when you screw the bolt back in

[DJ]

Wouldnt I have to redrill it to al larger hole then tap it?

[frankiman]

get a tap thats the same size as the current threads, and reshape the damaged threads with it,
since you'll have taken some material off, you'll need the loctite to keep it tight in there

[archaeic_bloke]

no you don't, if the thread is only damaged you can trying running the tap through it by hand or a VERY slow careful drill, remember to always apply a lot of oil, take it slow and steady... the only way that situation will get worse is if you snap a hardened steel tap bit in there!

you would only re-drill a larger hole if you've really messed up the threads and need a fresh start all over, but keep in mind you'll also need the new hardware to match your enlarged hole. *thats what she said*

[cschepp]

Dj I had stripped some stuff during putting mine back together and tapped it and was good to go! Give it a try

[frankiman]

usually, NAPA or Carquest have individual taps you can buy, you'll find what you need there

[cschepp]

You can buy them separately but if you have the entire set it comes in handy if something gets stripped

[frankiman]

yeah but even my MasterCraft set didn't have what i needed, theres almost no metric stuff in their kit
had to go out and buy taps and dies in m12x1,5 m10x1,25 and m10x1,5 for various needs

[cschepp]

I bought both for 20$. Princess auto special. This has served a great purpose.

[DJ]

I didnt tighten the bolt all the way so its probably only half of the thread which is screwed up.I was thinking if I tighten the bolt through the back part of the subframe where hopefully the thread is still straight , I could straighten out the damaged part.(the subframe is being removed for powerdercoating so ill have access to the back)

[frankiman]

^^ that won't work since the subframe and the bolt are of the same material, so maybe you'll straighten the thread a bit but also damage the bolt which will re-damage the thread on its way out,
your best bet is to re-tap the threads

[archaeic_bloke]

or grab a stainless steel nut and do it. thats probably a lot cheaper.

[frankiman]

or grab a stainless steel nut and do it. thats probably a lot cheaper.

a nut? how would that work?

[archaeic_bloke]

a nut? how would that work?

LOL... I misread, I thought he was trying to fix the threads on a bolt... not the other way around.
toss out the bolt and get a new one if its damaged, theres no real fixing that and it will just be a problem in the future.
as for the threads on the place where the bolt goes in.... use a tap for that.