stripped pivot ball hole

[Dhan]

Picked up a replacement 5-speed trans on CL recently. Getting everything together and just found that the hole where the clutch fork pivot ball goes is ruined. The pivot ball won't even screw in- the threads are destroyed.

Just curious what my options are. The only thing I can think to do is use a Helicoil or JB Weld.
I've never used either product though.

Anyone have advice?

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

Heli-coil will be fine. Another option would be a time-sert.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

Helicoil and red locktite after you're done.

 

[Dhan]

Damn, alright. Thing is, I've never used a Helicoil and am not sure which size to get. I know you're supposed to measure the thread pitch and width, but I'm not even sure how to measure that.
Can I just bring in the pivot ball and have a shop measure it or is there a reference online that has the sizes?

I could just bring the whole trans to a machine shop, but I'd rather try and do it myself to learn. Plus, if it's something I can do, why shell out the extra $100 for labor?

 

[pauleyman]

No loctite.

 

[oneslowwdsm]

No loctite.

Care to explain why not? The pivot ball can barely be torqued without breaking it in half that's why every clutch manufacturer I've spoken to explained I should use locktite.

Damn, alright. Thing is, I've never used a Helicoil and am not sure which size to get. I know you're supposed to measure the thread pitch and width, but I'm not even sure how to measure that.
Can I just bring in the pivot ball and have a shop measure it or is there a reference online that has the sizes?

I could just bring the whole trans to a machine shop, but I'd rather try and do it myself to learn. Plus, if it's something I can do, why shell out the extra $100 for labor?

Take the bolt to your local auto parts store, I'd imagine they would be competent enough to measure the bolt and get you a correct kit to do it yourself.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Use the balls thread for refrence, no JB weld either. The pivot ball is a wear piece, and it needs to be replaced every so often no reason to put it in there perminantly.

 

[pauleyman]

Bingo. That ball needs to be replaced sometimes. No loctite especially not red.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

The red is like super glue and probably the reason it stripped out in the first place i think i used the blue loctite ( medium thread locker) on my pivot ball but had good threads..

 

[Dhan]

Just wanted to wrap this up / get the thread resolved status.

Took the pivot ball into the store. They had one of those serrated feeler gauge things to measure thread. Ended up getting the Helicoil and had my neighbor (he's a welder) lend a hand. Was pretty straightforward.

Got it all together and we're boosting again. Thanks again for the replies everyone.

EDIT: no loctite needed- the pivot ball was threaded into the Heli-coil tight enough

 

[pauleyman]

Helicoil thread repair in aluminum is easy. Again, no loctite.