How to Helliacoil (sp)?

[41husk]

I have a few striped out bolt holes in my tranny pan.  I used a little JB weld and that worked for a few months, but is leaking again.  I was told I need to heliacoil (sp) the holes.  Can someone explain what is needed to do this step by step or an aprox cost I should expect from a shop?

[defiance]

Auto zone has helicoil kits for around $10-$15.  They come with a drill bit, a tap, and usually 4-5 of the coils.  You'll need a drill, and if you don't have one, a handle for the tap (some kits include a handle, but I don't think the auto zone ones do).  It's basically just a t-shaped handle for the tap.

Anyway, the process:
-Drill the hole out with the included drill bit (they're often an odd size, and you want it exact)
-Slowly tap the hole with the included tap.  Don't use much pressure here; the taps are hardened, so they cut very well, but hardening makes them brittle, and snapping one off in the hole is a *BAD* thing!  This isn't difficult, though - if you start feeling a lot of resistance, just back it out, clean it, and continue.
-Install the coil - it just basically screws into the hole.
-then use a punch to break off the tab.  EZ

Took me about 10 minutes the first time I did it.  Later on I managed to break a tap off in a hole when I did one, but no one had EVER warned me about that; If I'd have known, it could've been easily avoided.

[Plumcrazy]

Helicoil is a good product but a company called Auveco makes even better ones.

http://www.auveco.com/product/inserts.html

http://www.stanleyfasteners.com/catalog/ch8/AuvecoCatalog/pg_0093.htm

[41husk]

Thanks plumcrazy I will look in to that!

[d72hemi]

Helicoil is a good product but a company called Auveco makes even better ones.

http://www.auveco.com/product/inserts.html

http://www.stanleyfasteners.com/catalog/ch8/AuvecoCatalog/pg_0093.htm

With the style used in the second link, make sure that they are rated for the amount of torque you will need to apply. At my work we use some of them on a few peices of equipment, but they are ment for a light lode. I have had CAREFULY drill them out after someone torques the hell out of them, destroying the threads  . I love them, but make sure they are rated for your aplication. Thaose "kees" will keep them from moving.

Ian