Section : Bodywork and Interior

Chassis, bodywork, interior, instrumentation.

Stripped Threads On Door Mount

Posted By : Tony Hall, 27-Dec-2006, 05:18pm

I have a Spit 1500. Remover doors to do some body repairs. When re-fitting foud that threads on some of the holes in captive plates behind A-post have been stripped. I wondered why the hinges on one side were held in place by nails!. Somone out there must have experienced this before. Any ideas as to how to fix? Was thinking of using helicoils but not used them before...

Followups :

Stripped Threads On Door Mount

Posted By : Van Hamlin, 27-Dec-2006, 06:10pm

Possibly someone has used the wrong thread in the past. Check you have the right bolts to start with, I expect they're UNF thread.

Helicoils are easy to use, the inserts are dirt cheap but you need the tap, the insertion tool and the right size drill bit.

You'll then have an invisible repair.

I used toolsqwik, they are a US firm who sell on eBay. I got a kit last Christmas, very quick delivery. It's called "Permacoil"

Good luck
Van
- Stripped Threads On Door Mount
  
  Posted By : Peter & Mick Lewis, 27-Dec-2006, 06:24pm
  
  have tapped some out to 8mm metric, at worst drill 8.5mm and tap 3/8 24unf but you may have to drill hinge
  to allow full adjustment to cater for oversize bolt. dont overtorque as weld nut is quite thin. peter
  - Stripped Threads On Door Mount
    
    Posted By : Jon Morton, 28-Dec-2006, 03:23pm
    
    I had exactly the same problem.
    
    I didn't have access or time to tap and helecoil it.
    
    I did a temporary fix which is still there now!
    
    Use a longer bolts and put a nut on the back, its a fiddle as access is nearly impossible but not quite. Use a length of wire to hold the nut and feed it up in side the A post. You can then get it started on the bolt, by spinning bolt, it is then possible to get a spanner on to the nut. Just make sure your happy with the door alignment first, or you will loose your paint work.
    
    This is a bodge, one I had forgotten until i read this thread, but will get you going if its time critical.
    
    thanks
    
    Jon
Stripped Threads On Door Mount

Posted By : Garth Jupp, 02-Jan-2007, 10:28am

Tony,
Do you want me to get a helicoil kit and do it for you whilst you are "away"? As it is really the only way to go unless you fancy a lot of unneccessary welding around the A post to replace the captive plate.

Garth
Stripped Threads On Door Mount

Posted By : Rick Agius, 20-May-2007, 11:27am

Tony

Did you ever get this sorted? I have exactly the same problem (on both sides) and have thought about replacing the tapped plates. Not sure if these are still available without buying the whole A post and, as I haven't actually seen one I'm not sure if these will be easy to make or not.

Are these plates easy to get at for removal or is a helicoil the only realistic option without cutting the car to pieces (which I'm increasingly tempted to do of late!)

Cheers
Rick
- Stripped Threads On Door Mount
  
  Posted By : Chris Taylor, 20-May-2007, 06:36pm
  
  I would suggest a helicoil is the most cost-effective repair. Even if you could get the plate, getting at it is a nightmare! If you find you CAN get access to it, use a longer bolt and stick a new nut on the end of it after it's passed through the damaged one. May sound like a bodge, but the load is shared with the other bolts, and this is not something that will be regularly disturbed again. (And even if it does come loose, it will be readily apparent before anything becomes dangerous).
  - Stripped Threads On Door Mount
    
    Posted By : Rick Agius, 20-May-2007, 08:47pm
    
    Thanks Chris - I'll give those a whirl before I try anything more drastic.