Helicoil on suspension?

[daR3alEddieJ]

I've never used a helicoil before so I was wondering: I have a hole for the top bolt on a bracket for my upper control arm that I had cross threaded a bolt in. I backed the bolt out and the first 4-5 threads have been flattened so I was wondering if I drill and retap this hole if a heli coil would work on it? anybody know? thanks

 

[Talon IV]

I would imagine if you could use a time sert that would be better. Any other takers?

 

[99gst_racer]

Pic?
I'm having a hard time visualizing which hole you're referring to.

 

[knochgoon24]

Sounds like the top bolt for one of the brackets on the rear upper control arm.

Heli-coil says that when installed properly, the new threads are just as strong, if not stronger, than the old ones.

 

[Irish_86]

I've used helicoil quite extensively in the past few weeks. As the previous owner stripped just about everything on the head. They work great. From their website they say that they can withstand 130 lb/ft of torque. And are used by NASA on the space schuttles

They are stronger then normal bolts because with normal bolts the force is on just the first few threads, but with the helicoil system, the force is distributed over the whole length of the helicoil insert.

 

[daR3alEddieJ]

thanks for your input everyone, I ended up just buying this ratcheting tap holder for confined spaces and it worked like a charm after I stuck a little bit longer bolt in....but I still may try out helicoils in the future, they seem like they could be pretty handy.... especially on things like the oil pan, return lines, etc.