How to Repair Threads With A Heli-Coil Insert

[toddpf]

Use cutting oil when tapping!

[captainjamesster]

Thanks for the clip. Super clear and easy to understand.

[TheDustysix]

one trick that bypasses the last resort helicoil is to take the damaged hole and clean and retap for the next larger metric for a standard bolt hole. the bolt will not have the same head, or thread pitch as the other fasteners doing the same job, but it frequently works.

[WFCxGoofy]

Hey, I'm doing the same size bolt. I have the thread insert, just wondering what size drill bit you used and which tap to use?

[psycosis100]

Hey boss.Thanks for the upload. Iv got a 1993 ford f150 with a 5.0/302. one of the rocker arms stripped out. will this work on a steal head???

[robin1122211]

hey,

why do you tap that small thing off the heli coil?

greetz

[1ownjoo2]

@cameramonkey2

Because stripped a bolt hole usually takes so much metal out from the hole you cant re-thread it the same size as it was before.. The helicoil you thread the whole to a bigger size so the coil will fit in, Then the original bolt goes into the coil.

[viggoM35]

Instead of getting an "installation tool" couldn't you just file or grind a bolt's end to do the same thing? I'm talking as an alternative to buying the tool set and it's only for a one time, one size job.

[RaGinGHoI3o]

Great video, how much different is the Time Sert device then this, does it do the same job and as effectively

[mygriffin]

Great video. Easy to follow. Makes it look really simple. Thanks

[Micomanec]

Great video. I want use to repair a tripod thread. Where I can buy Heli-Coil brand thread repair insert. ? Thanks for your help

[ArtoDelFunko]

Thanks for this video.

I pulled the threads on the final drive housing of a shaft drive bike, don't feel like paying $300 for a new one. Plus I've read that helicoils are stronger than the original aluminum which is good. The spec is 90Nm which I thought was too much for aluminum in the first place

[MsCraigslister]

Good video, but as i remember you turn the tap a little then turn it back which cleans the threads. If your doing a spark plug hole with the head is still installed, make sure the piston is all the way at the bottom. use grease on the drill bit and as you drill most of the metal shavings will stay on the drill bit.just dip the end of the drill bit in the grease. too clean the metal out of cylinder use a solvent like carb cleaner and very small magnet that is made in the tool. aluminum burns up,

[1ownjoo2]

@MsCraigslister

Or just disconnected the ingition oil from the engine, and crank the engine with the spark plug out. The compression will push the shavings out of the cylinder. You can do that if sand or something gets in there from removing the spark plug if you didnt blow air around the plug before you removed it

[flyzone100]

How do you do the sizing for the drill?

[Weihrauch88]

Good video, heard it mentioned a few times and never understood it.

If I were to use this on an exhaust manifold/head, and it was torqued up to about 8nm, would these helicoils be strong enough?

[RobertGary1]

Very educational. Thanks

[Matrixous]

will this have to same 'strength' as the oringinal thread before it was cross threaded?

I have a caliper mounting bolt and im worried the insert will not be safe enough to work.

[mambangafro]

you should put some oil to make the job easier....

[Deepbluhuntr]

This sure was helpful, you're a good teacher sir ! Thanks a lot !

[Mathewmartialart]

ok, so how do you solve the issue when the bolt is missing the and bolt next to it ISNT the same size? and how do you get the thing that breakes off if it doesnt come out by blowing it

[bigexodus]

@Mathewmartialart - I have no idea why he hit it. I use needlenose pliers to grab it and break it off, pulling it out at the same time. This guy should go back to auto-shop!

[mrmaxstorey]

@maddiebrad When I did this to a stripped spark plug hole in one of my motorcycles, I had a shop vac running the whole time right next to the hole I was stripping, and backed it out repeatedly to allow the shavings to get sucked out. Don't know if I got all the shavings out, but I did get most of them.

[3SGEpower]

@mrmaxstorey Back in mechanic school, the trick they gave us to catch shavings when rethreading spark plug holes in place was to put the cylinder at bottom dead center compression and to fill it with shaving cream, rethread the hole and then just turn the engine over by hand, that'll push the shaving cream out the plug hole with the metal shavings.

[MsCraigslister]

@3SGEpower i never heard that shaving cream. but i left a comment, dip drill bit in wheel bearing grease. worked good for me. I like your comment thanks.

[BuickDoc]

What is stronger, the Helicoil or Time Serts?

[ttcautotech]

@BuickDoc Not sure which one is better as I've not used the timeserts very many times. The Helicoils have worked for everything I've used and so have the timeserts. The timeserts I have used have all been soild inserts for spark plug holes. They seem like they might have an advantage.

[Euphorica]

@ttcautotech anything you really need strong clamping force(like a head bolt). a time sert is better for that imo. helicoil gets the job done for most things though

[pickmeOMGpickme]

@BuickDoc Time Serts are supposed to be stronger. They're both quite reliable though, I have yet to see either one of them fail but I'm sure they each have. Personally I like Helicoil's much more.

[jonoalf1986]

Hey man, great video....Just overtightened a head bolt and need to do this to the block, once the helicoil is done do you use the original torque spec's? Or not as much?

[ttcautotech]

@jonoalf1986 It's important to use the original torque specs.

[jonoalf1986]

@ttcautotech Cheers man

[monsterrmann2244]

Great info sir! What did you pay for that Napa tap set in the background? I have a oil filter (motorcycle) that has the threads stripped. Its a M6 thread.....This is really gonna help me when im ready to fix it. I still am confused on the thread pitch. Is that just the length? Pleas help!

[ttcautotech]

@monsterrmann2244 Not sure what the set cost. We purchased the kit some time ago and now only purchase the inserts as we run out. Thread pitch is the measurement of how far apart or close together

the threads are. In metric threads it is the distance between two threads. Thus, a 1.5

thread pitch would mean the threads are 1.5 millimeters apart. In SAE or "standard" bolts,

the pitch is the number of threads found in one inch. For example a 3/8x16 bolt has 16

threads per inch.

[jajacool111]

Very Nice turtorial thanks alot

[billybb17]

Can you use these on through holes?

[ttcautotech]

@billybb17 Yes. If the insert is longer than the hole, install the insert flush and then trim off the extra sticking out the backside. If you have a reallyt long hole and need the thread, I think they may have extra long inserts for some applications.

[pestface]

If you use a lubricant for turning in the insert, can you still use a thred lock glue or will it not take?

[enrique28215]

ok so when repairing the damaged threads is it a must to drill in the hole? and once you knock the tang off is it safe to leave it in?

[ttcautotech]

@enrique28215 Yes, you must make sure the hole is the right size. The tang must be broken off, but may be left in as long as it doesn't interfere with the bolt.

[MetaView7]

@enrique28215 except for spark plug

[hcb1700]

Great video. I need to install a helicoil for one of my water pump bolts on a chevy 350 engine. I need to figure out what size helicoil to use.

[abbarr]

Excellent.

[eBiology]

Arggh no one makes tap socket sets other than Snap-On and the sets are so expensive.. I swear a company like Westward, Jet, even Craftsman could make a set of almost equal quality but much cheaper...

[CoolSypherz76]

would this be good for a sparkplug repair?

[radw313]

very clear and well worded. great tutorial. thank you :)

[jlanier6]

that worked good in aluminum how about a cast iron head ??preferably the front intake bolt on the passenger side of a dodge 360 .I have two heads with the same broke bolt :(

[coolmanbhn]

Thanks mate!

I'm facing problems with the treads in my waterbuffalo (Suzuki GT750) sylinder! The treads for sylinder 3 exhaust!

This was just the "learning" needed!

Rgards Bjarne from Norway!

[Robinjo69]

Thanks for this video, really helpfull!

[eBiology]

Finally, an excellent video. YouTube needs more of these videos because expertvillage is infecting this site with their cheaply made disorganization.

[twostrokedowse]

Cheers for that!

[abaum1400]

Really helpful vid. Im using a helicoil tomorrow and this realky helped. Thanks man

[squizzoo]

Thanks for taking time to make and post the excellent video.

[greglava]

Thanks for taking the time to do the video. I am getting ready to use a helicoil and this vid was really helpful.

[minameise]

Awesome video, thanks for making this!

[Mueiwark]

I have a problem with the helicoil in my Chainsaw engine block. The damn thing comes back up when I unscrew the spark plug. I don't have the equipment to reinstall them so I have to get the saw to the dealer again. How does that happen? I thought the helicoil bites into the aluminum block and not clings to the steel of the sparkplug. I have to hold the helicoil into place with a screw driver or something while taking out the plug. Or is there some other way?

[ttcautotech]

@Mueiwark

The helioil should be staked in place if its a solid insert like most spark plug inserts are. You might be able to unscrew it and apply some permatex red threadlocker to it. Screw it back in with the sparkplug an let the threadlocker dry. It should then stay in place while you unscrew the plug. Be carefull not to get any on sparkplug threads or the inside threads of the insert. After the plug is out take a small punch an stake the insert in place. If its a wire wound type, uh oh

[Mueiwark]

@ttcautotech Lol darn, the helicoil in my saw is a wire type... Thank you for answering my message anyway. I will try to find a method for holding the wire in there and If all fails I rip the damn thing out an insert solid bushing.

[jessica1374]

@Mueiwark Good sugestion... I might add that I would use anti sieze on the spark plug threads for even more insurance.

[TroyaE117]

It's a good video.

I have never used a helicoil.

At the week-end I stripped the thread on a sump plug, and I drilled and wired the plug and used thread tape.

I simply could not face another disassembly.

The plug does not leak at all. Later in the year I will tackle it, but not right now.

Best wishes...

Troya.

[TroyaE117]

Good video.

Use some lubricant though. It will help.

[ttcautotech]

@TroyaE117

LOL. I've heard that alot. Most of our videos are spur of the moment with no rehearsing. I remembered the tap fluid when I was editing the video. Don't know why I didn't think of it during. Guess I was trying to not to screw up talking. lol.

[dizzin9]

i'm getting this for my messed up threads on my tranny fill hole. it's using an m18 bolt so i should get an m18 kit too, right?

[ttcautotech]

@dizzin9

Measure the diameter or thickness of the hreaded part not the socket head. If you're using an 18mm socket the shaft or threaded part will be smaller. If you can, take the bolt with you to the part store and they can help you get the right size.

[8675tree09]

Hey Great video and i hope to do this to my spark plug socket is there any special tips i need to know ? Thanks for the time .

[slowmotion4x4]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to do it. Shows just how simple things can be to do if you know the correct way. 2 thumbs up

[slowmotion4x4]

Great video. Thanks for taking the time to do it. Shows just how simple things can be to do if you know the correct way. 2 thumbs up

[ahanix1988]

Had a shop Heli-Coil the spark plug threads on my cylinder head -- pulled the plugs to do a compression check and the insert came out with the plug. What did I do wrong?

[ttcautotech]

@ahanix1988

It depends on the type and brand of insert. If it threaded out with the plug you should be able to install a new one of the same brand back in the hole. If its a solid insert (not a wire one) you should probably place some loctite or thread locker on it before you install it so it wont come back out again. TORQUE the plug! and maybe put antiseize on the plug's threads before installing it.

[ahanix1988]

@ttcautotech Yeah it was some stupid wire type. Now we have to drag the car to a shop to have them fix it, and even after this head gasket replacement on a 2.3 Quad SOHC it STILL won't get above 30mph, now I'm looking at the fuel pump.

[0121cole]

what a great & money saving video i stripped on of the slider pin bolts on a vw brakecaliper i would have just changed the caliper holder but cant due to the whole unit is in one it houses the shock absorber / wheel bearing & brake caliper assembly it would have cost a lot of money to change many thanks for the video

[gst69man]

good vid.

[Crnegrede]

The new hole you drill is it the same size as the bolt or a bit larger?

[ttcautotech]

The special helicoil tap has the drill size you should use stamped on the side. Use this size drill or as close to it as possible.

[crxracr23]

thanks for the great vid. very helpful

[flatl1n3]

ZOMG broken bolts can kiss my ass! Spent 2 hours yesterday trying to back out a engine mount bolt with a left hand drill bit. Didn't work so now I'm just gonna helicoil it.

[FourRings34]

Hope this works on my transmission flange on my Audi S4. There are 6 bolts that hold the half-shaft to the tranny flange and 1 was messed up when my half-shaft blew up on the highway. I got the right Helicoil size and am trying it tonight. :-)

[ttcautotech]

Good luck.

[TheDraindeimo]

THANK YOU!!!!! ive been struggling with a stubborn fucked up one. im ordering this shit right now

[4age20vbt]

How do you remove a helicoil after the tang is broken off?

[ttcautotech]

Use a pick and work it under the wire at the top of the insert. Once you bend the wire of the insert in at the top, you should be able to grab it with needle nose pliers and work it out. You kinda have to "unwind" it out of the hole.

Did the tang break off while installing it? If so, you may need to retap the hole a few times to make sure there are no burrs. Also make sure the hole is deep enough. The tap is tapered and the coil will bind in the bottom if you aren't careful.

[BlaineRice]

I took my head to a shop to have this done. The spark plug wire went bad I had to replace the plug and when I took it out the Heli-Coil came out with it. I then noticed the threads were stripped in the head. The hole is also too big now for another insert. I tried JB Weld but it won't hold. What can I do now?

[ttcautotech]

Ouch, I have have seen the thread insert come out when removing the plug, but the threads are usually ok and I reinstall a new insert. In your case, it sounds like you may have to replace the head or take it off and have a machine shop fix it. Another option is to check different brands of inserts and see if you can find a thicker insert that will work in your now enlarged hole.

[ttcautotech]

If you are going to use JB weld or some other bonding agent try to tap the hole first, even if you have to use a bigger tap. It'll gve the JB Weld something to grip to and wont be as likely to blow out. Also, JB Weld is kinda runny and usually takes a long time to set. Other brands may be easier to work with. Either way, allow the bond to set 24 hours before you start the car even if the package says "sets hard in XX minutes".

[BlaineRice]

@ttcautotech Thank you for taking the time to reply. I tried it once when we first found out it was stripped and it held pretty good untill I accidentally gave it too much gas. Lol. I figured there wasn't enough JB Weld on there because there was barely any on there. I put quite a bit more and let it set up for two whole days since it's been staying around 30 to 40*f and I didn't even get it out of my drive way. Maybe the cold weather had something to do with it.

[ttcautotech]

Cold weather may have kept the JB from setting up. You might consider calling tech support for JB Weld. They might have suggestions as to what to do and may make other products that will work better. Also, look at other products. There are several two-part epoxys out there and one of them might work better. Lastly, consider removing the head and either replacing it or have it welded up and rethreaded.

[BlaineRice]

Ok thank you very much for your time! It's greatly appreciated. Merry Christmas

[sainifabulous]

my oil return line threads are gone

do you recommend doing this there?

do you know a good place to buy helicoil for this size M12 X 1.50

they dont sell this size at napa or autozone

[ttcautotech]

NAPA Auto parts should be able to order any size that Helicoil makes. Ask the for a BK 7703095 part number.

[androidrc]

sooooo....no loctite on the helicoil?

[ttcautotech]

no, not on a wire wound thread insert. Only use thread locker if the instructions call for it.

This type of insert is not solid. Any threadlocker placed on the outside of the insert will also get on the inside where the bolt goes. Since threadlocker is anerobic, (dries in the absence of air), it will remain liquid until the bolt is threaded in and then lock the insert and bolt together. When removing the insert may come out with the bolt. Only use locker if you never plan on removing it.

[pbassred]

I was taught to tap "one turn forward, and a quarter back." because you need to break the chip.

[ttcautotech]

Absolutely, makes it much easier.

[th3soundguy]

@pbassred in this case you don't want the chips falling in the Engine best is to cover the tap in greese and not wind back

[IP1NKYI]

I have partially stripped the threads from my sump. It still tightens (tight enough so that you cant untighten with your hand) but it is leaking oil slowly. Would a Heli-Coil do the job? When you tap the little piece off the end how would I get it out of my engine? Last thing I want is it to jam my Tappets/Valves or screw up my Oil Pump.

[BigManlyMan4]

Well, I need to do this on my spark plug threads on my 1985 xr350. I was riding on the trail came around a corner and BOOF the plug shot out. Had to push it 2 miles. The guy before us must of cross threaded it or something. ahaha

[kvaleberg]

I would have like to see some lubrication of the tap. Grease is particularly good, since it tends to pick up much of the swarf.

[ttcautotech]

Is the key broken or the keyway? The key is easily replaced but the keyway will probably require machining. A helicoil or similiar product should work fine for the stripped threads. Ask an automotive machinist in your area about the keyway.

[78k5]

Ive got a broken keyway and stripped crankshaft threads on a small clock chevy 350 and ive beent old that you can use these helicoil kits to fix the problem . Im wondering anyone Tried this for my application and have luck?

[TheLightningStalker]

It works, but you might have trouble tapping it because the crank metal is so hard. You're going to have to take it to a machine shop to get the keyway recut anyway, so why not just have them do it.

[sharpshoota21]

I need to do this on vehicle. The threads for the rocker arm stud on the cylinder head stripped. I got a tap & insert set from Autozone, but the tap doesn't say the size drill, but the inserts say 13/32 drill bit. However, that drill size is awfully big. Is that right, or are there any other suggestions?

[ttcautotech]

When looking for the size of the drill bit consider that it is drilling a hole for the insert, not the bolt. The drill bit will probably be a little bit bigger than the bolt that goes in the insert. Some insert brands are quite thick and will require a large bit. When indoubt look up the manufacturers website or see if there's a number on the package to call for help.

[MrBadAssMofo]

It's alive! ALIVE!!!

I have completed the the spark plug thread insert for my '95 Cutlass Convt. 3.4L & hell, it even runs smoother now than before! I both an Insert kit from Autozone for $30(not the helicoil kit, the INSERTS kit), and it took me about an hour. I got off a helluva lot better than the $300 the shop was gonna charge me. I even got the balls to take it up to 110mph(the day b4 they signed the Super Speeders law, LOL!). Dude, thanks a million, or, thanks a 270(the money I saved).

[Skter91]

we in german have a special heli coil insert drilling...... my englishc is very bad :D sorry

[moonshade0227]

Nice to see a detailed demo. Thanks!

[marke14]

Thank you for posting this video. I partially stripped out part of my motorcycle's frame where the footpegs bolt in - I see a Heli-Coil set in my future.

[ozzinc]

simple plain and straight to the point, good instructional video.

[MrBadAssMofo]

Fan-tabulous video! The drivers for audio on my computer are screw, and yet, I still PERFECTLY understood the directions. Question though.. I want to do it WITHOUT removing the head. While I am tapping the hole(LOL!), metal flakes will be falling into the cylinder, how do I assure that I get all of the shavings out before I install a new spark plug? Again, great, informative video.

[ttcautotech]

Thats risky. Its better to remove the head if possible. If you must do it on the cr, try blowing all the shaving by waving compressed ir back and forth over the hole. Then put a piece of rubber on the end of your blow gun. Insert the hose into the cylinder and blow the shavings out from the inside. When you tap the hol, you can also apply grease to the tap. The shavings willl attach to the grease and "most" will be pulled out with the tap.

[MrBadAssMofo]

How bout this, I had a vision about it last night.. My spark plug is currently not in the car(95 Cutlass Convt, 3.4L). If I were to straighten a wire hanger and feed it all the way in until it touches the piston, I could figure out how much room I have to play with. If the piston was at the top of the cylinder, I could flick the ignition to make it go back down(each time I flick the ignition, I use the hanger to test the height to figure how much room I have to play with). What you think?

[aphex4000]

Great video! Clear, articulate, and well shot. I always wanted to see how these kits worked.  Thanks :)

[breakupthespace]

Nice video - very helpful!

[syphilistic]

Very nice job. I've heard of these things before but didn't know the whole process.

I'll definitely be buying one of these kits!

I can think of a handful of jobs where this wonderful product could have kept me from tapping the stripped hole the next size up.

[siddian14]

thank you for your time on that that was the most helpful info on the web(that i have found) keep it up guys still got more tips i need thank you agin fellas

[waterwart]

Try using some Locktight behind that helacoil.

[gasse8807]

that was very helpfull cheers

[leadcleaner]

Good instructions!

[crummydriver]

Great job. I'm getting ready to do thread repair on a broken cylinder head bolt. Glad I found this video. Thanks for posting it.

[TylerFSAE]

Good Video!

He seem to drill that hole pretty quickly? W

[jasonv512]

Really great demonstration! For your information you might want to check out the TIME-SERT as it is a newer technology and It's is a Solid Insert. Always good to know whats out there. TIME-SERT VIDEO

208.65.153.238/watch?v=RvmL0pE­phQI

[ehandog]

Awesome thanks!!

[jeckulz]

GREAT VID!

Thanx man, now Im a little more confident sorting out the studs on my exhaust manifold... sorry 'header'

Cheers ;)

[BoldUniverse]

Good vid, very informative and helpful. Thanks a lot for that.

[KX5OO]

Try some oil or grease next time.

[number1cherfan]

some rocker cover bolts are lloose on my gsxr 88. im going to use this method

[lumpythefish]

Excellent how to... thanks for taking the time and effort

[SkyCE9A]

A+ How-to. Just snapped a bolt off under my car, was a little worried about removing it and fixing it. This showed me exactly what I needed to know, not nearly as intimidating anymore.

Thanks!

[reffup]

excellent