Converter threads are gone, options?

[420a-t]

I've had this problem 3 times in the last few weeks. I go WOT and then all of the sudden I hear a lot of "clack clack clack" under the hood. It's always my converter bolts coming loose. Before I checked the threads on both the bolts and the converter to make sure theyre both clean, and use red loctite on them too.

Anyways, tonight it happens again, and the threads on the converter are done for. I tried tapping them to clean/make new threads, but theres not enough material left.

What is the next size I can do without having to take my tranny out to make the holes in the flex plates bigger? Or is there a better option?

Thanks guys,

Josh

 

[HighPSI TSi Guy]

well unfortunately the trans would have to come out for this option, unless you have some pretty nifty tools, but I'd say helicoil them.

 

[420a-t]

I took my xfer case off, and I can heli coil them if I can move my flex plates out of the way. Will the flex plates move if I crank on the motor and there's no bolts in the converter?

 

[HighPSI TSi Guy]

I wouldn't bump the starter, but yea you can hold the converter in place and rotate the flexplates by hand with the crank if it's unbolted. A helicoil is pretty stout and I would imagine shouldn't have any crossthread issues or anything like that. Dunno if it'll hold any better or not though.

 

[420a-t]

Ok thanks for the info. Why am I having such a hard time with these? I have 2 flexplates stacked and have used oem bolts and longer high grade bolts cut as long as possible without bottoming out too.

Thanks sir,

Josh

 

[HighPSI TSi Guy]

I honestly have no clue. It may just be that the threads are messed up like you said? Once threads get damaged they aren't going to clamp the same.