Stripped sway-bar bushing bolt/hole

hawaii1984

I have one sway-bar bushing bolt that has a stripped hole. What's the size of the stock bolt and anyone have a fix/solution for this dilemma. I'm assuming a tap & dye set is in my near future....
Help..
Scott

toms84ss · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 5:18 pm Post subject:

If you can fit your fingers in the frame, run a longer bolt with a nylock nut and your good to go.

hawaii1984 · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:17 pm Post subject: Can't fit fingers..

Unfortunately I can't fit my fingers in there to thread a nut on. Do I have any other options?

theelcaminofactory

hawaii1984

[/quote]I think you answered your own question.[/quote]

I was afraid of that Confused

hawaii1984

[/quote]I think you answered your own question.[/quote]

I was afraid of that Confused

Harald K · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject:

Just running a tap into the hole is probably not going to solve the problem. You will probably need to go to a larger diameter bolt but keep in mind the head will need to be small enough to fit next to the sway bar mount bracket. Depending on how badly the hole is stripped you might need to weld some material into the hole drill it out and retap the hole. There are self taping bolts that you can also use these have a bit more taper so they can grip better as they cut their own threads. The problem is that the frame is made from rather mild steel and these self taped holes do strip pretty easily. Good luck. Harald K

theelcaminofactory · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject:

Harbor Freight (if your near one) has a decent cheap tap and die set that's ok for home use, but not if your a professional machinist. http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=tap+and+die+set&Submit=Go I bought the 60 piece set...can't complain...it works for my needs
_________________
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theelcaminofactory · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject:

OOPS just realized your in Hawaii...no Harbor Freight there...looks like a trip to Sears is in your near future.
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"The day we lose our will to fight is the day we lose our freedom" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

texaselky · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject:

I had the same thing happen on a Trans Am project a few years ago. I went to the local fastener supplier and bought a Rivnut. It comes with a bolt and special washer, you push it through the hole then tighten down the bolt. It will compress like a rivet but has threads on the inside, then just remove the bolt and bolt the sway bar on>> really easy and cost around $10.
_________________
1984 El Camino
Kyle, Texas

toms84ss · Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject:

Can you fit a nut in a box end wrench and slid it in the frame far enough to get the bolt started? You could tape the nut to the wrench if you had to.

hawaii1984 · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:30 am Post subject: still stumped w/stripped hole

Unfortunately the drivers side has no access holes to run a wrench in. The pass side has a perfect large hole for that, but wrong side for my dilemma.
Was wondering if anyone else has any other suggestions. Perhaps something along the lines of say a heli-coil type repair like I once had done on my cylinder heads for my intake manifold.
Thanks!!

hawaii1984 · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 11:46 am Post subject: self threading bolt

Is there a self threading bolt with the same small head to clear the bushing bracket available? I'm going to try the local nut & bolt shop here, but I'd still like any input..
Thanks!

theelcaminofactory · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:05 pm Post subject:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98522 I know you don't have a Harbor Freight in Hawaii, this kit probably doesn't have the size you need anyway...I posted more as information on what's available to you to make a repair...however if it was me I would just tap the hole for the next larger size bolt and be done with it. Any decent hardware store should have everything you need. If you don't want to buy a whole tap and die set just get a single tap the size you need and the handle...Sears has those if your local hardware doesn't. Use at least a Grade 8 bolt. I would tap all four holes so they're the same size. Also if the head of the bolt interferes with the bracket, a few small diameter washers over the bolt should solve this problem, just make sure you use a long enough bolt to grab all the threads.
_________________
"The day we lose our will to fight is the day we lose our freedom" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

PaPa Johns 77 · Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject: