In this video I show you how I repair a stripped out hole in the engine block using a heli-coil thread insert on this 2005 Subaru Outback. There are many ways to go about this, this is just the method I choose to use.
Want more great SMA vids:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xe6pvCk7JM&list=PLaJW8Ju80ORbZ_rufMIhJeCRjtxyITXjY&feature=cards&src_vid=uwq4THPDAm0&annotation_id=6391b5aa-7355-4741-a357-644408cb4aa5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGlccL25i9Y&feature=cards&src_vid=uwq4THPDAm0&annotation_id=ef88adf2-e749-4142-a65e-df9362d80ced
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51nOHO5p_qg&feature=cards&src_vid=uwq4THPDAm0&annotation_id=dbb930a1-cb21-4cb2-880e-69c059957245
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not South Main Auto Repair.

50 thoughts on “How to fixed stripped out threads”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott Hartman says:

    Was that the same rethread kit you used to fix the Honda Odyssey oil pan drain?

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Al Stone says:

    Good Job good video. as i have to do an insert for a head bolt on a Harley shovelhead 1976, and it might already have one in it with a wrong thread count with a non-original bolt.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kevin Thompson says:

    Thank you very much Eric! Have to do this to the head bolt. Take care of yourself.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Alexander Stefanxandra Swedish says:

    Good job sharing

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars gary mcmullin says:

    excellent demonstration video!! Fortunately the site of the repair was right up top in front so you had that working for you.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Will To Power says:

    Hey Eric, any value in using red lock tight on the insert to prevent the insert from coming back out with the bolt when taking things apart? Thanks!

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Juan Morales says:

    did you charge for that or was just a bad time you had it do this

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Richard 1 says:

    Great Video. Thank you SMA

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John Thorp says:

    Definitely the video I needed! Four bolts on a power steering pump on a airport tug are stripped. I have never done this before. Your videos are great! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!👊💪

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Johnny Sechrist says:

    Used maybe 5-6 on cars in my career, but at least a 100 on motorcycles. When I would use on a bike I would use loctite sleeve retainer and then let it set for a few hours then use antiseize on the bolt. Looks like red loctite on those front bolts.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Oscar Kraft says:

    Excellent video, calm, secure, and thoughtful professional, good work.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 40cleco says:

    Loctite on the helicoil before installing it in the hole. Then a little spray of brake clean to get any off the inside of the thread.

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars KEN MCCORMICK says:

    good job!

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars KEN MCCORMICK says:

    aluminum is much weaker than a steel bolt.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars No Outlet says:

    I have a stopped out bolt hole on my tractor. For my backhoe. My question is what is the tensil strength of hemi coil? All 4 bolt holes stripped out.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Craig Cambreleng says:

    If you locktite bolt in but dont locktite the helicoil isnt that going to cause issues if you have to take bolts out in the future?

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gina's Speedy Pit Stop says:

    Easy peasy if you know what you're doing.. like others have said, I was surprised to see you put red loctite on the bolts and not the helicoils, but then again, the stuff probably spread itself all over anyway. Cheerz

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Gary Meredith says:

    And never put Loctite on that tool where the insert goes in how do I know one of the mechanics at the post office ( VMF ) the tool got stuck inside the block and I helped him we had a hell of a time getting that tool out .

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars fatwalletboy2 says:

    Good vid. Amazed you dont have customers strolling in whilst filiming….that 90 degree drill is rather lively!

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andrew ROBINSON says:

    And now I know how to fix a thread. Thank you. Andy Australia

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Anglegrinder46 says:

    Enhance(click click)Enhance..

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars gokblok says:

    Is this something you charge the customer for?

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars KT Tango says:

    Helicoil are good for bolts that dont get removed👍 Use E-Z Lok for valve cover, oil pan etc. I prefer ez lok over helicoil and time sert👍👍👍extra dab of Red loctite👍

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars the mexican says:

    tensioner bolt has to be set at 37 foot pounds. how well does a helicoil hold up to that much torque?

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars daniel anderson says:

    Thanks so much bro. Ive been skeptical as fuck about info going around these days. Good to see some old fashioned values at work. Just found my 93 bronco yolk flange completely stripped when i went to replace my u joints. Buddy told me to research some heliocoils. Not sure if its the proper way to go about it but i cant find a yolk flange for my truck anywhere so. Gonna give these things a try soon. My old yolk flange was legit held on by locktight for over 20 years on a stripped flange lol.

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Antonio Hernandez says:

    crap i think this happened on my mount while doing a timing belt

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John Crawford says:

    Great video thanks for it

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars floyd pepper says:

    I was taught that breaking the tab off the end heli-coil helped to lock the Heli-coil to the threads you had previously cut and then threaded the heli-coil into. Have you found this to be inaccurate? It has been my understanding that breaking the tab will keep the heli-coil from backing out the next time the bolt is removed. What has your experience been along those lines? Does this only apply to a hole that is open on both ends.

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Lacy Kamuf says:

    excellent video eric – keep up the great work

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stevan Rose says:

    Lol plenty tight at the end. I saw 👀 that.

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stevan Rose says:

    I would say that the lock tight was the reason the threads came out in the first place. And the lock tight on the bolts is there because there is no torque spect.
    Steel bolts and thread locker and aluminum don’t mix well.

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Wally G. says:

    Excellent step by step, Eric. Thanks.

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Charles Tucker says:

    I have had one helicoil come out on me. In my opinion, it shouldn't have been used in that appliction though. It was on a die, that typically got rebuilt once a week, so you had to take that bolt out, and put it back in about 52 times a year and that was usually done with an impact at WOT 😉

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Len Wilson says:

    )

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars roger williams says:

    Your videos are awesome your very very knowledgeable humorous and worth watching keep videos going thank you

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars roger williams says:

    I use a lot of heli coils they are expensive in Ontario

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars roger williams says:

    Nice job I prefer to leave the tap in the hole blow chips out the flutes especially before removing tap have had chips jam in tap even though I had backed it up lube tap after blowing out and finish tapping you do a great job probably don’t need my input .We can still learn something I’m 72 in November still wrenching but would like to sell my shop

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steve Ross says:

    Not only are you a skilled and professional mechanic, you could also be a teacher; you always explain things clearly and concisely. Keep up the great work/videos.

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Patrick PK says:

    probably could have just used a longer bolt on this one

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ford Meola says:

    I Was at Autozone five months ago and brought a couple of ecoplugs $9.99 for my vehicles including the magnetic removal tool $9.99not only did ecoplug resolve my stripped oil pan problem on one vehicle on my other I installed it to make changing my oil better.I can literally drain my oil and reinstall the ecoplugs in a second without getting covered in oil.Word to the wise these ecoplugs have extremely strong magnets when using removal tool to remove ecoplug slide the tool off.

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Kennaugh says:

    Just found you and subscribed. Think I just found a gem. You’re the real deal. Great Vid 👍.

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Olena Erhardt says:

    Attaching the new brakes on 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier, I crossed the bolts. They went in very hard,
    I thought it was because of new rubber inserts (bushing, they came together w/new brakes) I put in
    holes for those bolts. They stopped ~1/4 (maybe they are in place and I just overtightened them, I'll
    know for sure when I'll do the second brake) in before the end, where they are supposed to be, and
    started to rotate free both ways (clockwise and counterclockwise), I can't extract them, because they
    rotate. Should I buy a new knuckle now, probably the thread inside is also damaged? Could you tell,
    how to extract them? Thank you for a good film.

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars HighStreet Killers says:

    I hate helicoils, i'm a machinist though. When possible i just drill and and a bigger bolt size. I don't damage threads, i get stuck fixing others mistakes. nice point about wall thickness, alot of people wouldn't think of that

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Shane Harrison says:

    Awesome I've had to use those types also on alternators and cast iron trannys for air shift valves and on the primary and secondary bearing caps when a driver corkscrews the main shaft in a spicer 8

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars taras tarkov says:

    Why do we buy cars made in korea and japan , when they have no lengthy history of industrial design, combined with the obstructionism in design to keep you at the dealer. My daughter gave a tuscon, and I know what i see changing a strut or sway bar link in a salt water environment. and yes the toyota 2001 corolla was excellent, the hyundai is abysmal.
    All show !!

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! Bill Malec says:

    For this new generation:
    Threads get stripped. Heads get… ROUNDED. Heads do not get stripped.

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Silver Alert says:

    Hmm m

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MrSubaru1387 says:

    There is a torque spec. It's 22Nm or 15.9Ft.Lbs.

  49. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Spanner Man28 says:

    I’ve done a lot of thread repairs to aluminium and find baerfix inserts to be a far superior product to helicoils especially if there’s a likelihood of dismantling later. Helicoils aren’t really good in softer materials as the pitch can start to pull a bit after a few cycles of tightening even to the correct torque. Check out BAERFIX INSERT for a different option. Also if you have a lathe you can drill and tap a larger fastener to the original size slot it for a screwdriver then tap the hole to the bigger fastener size, loctite the custom insert in which won’t pull the pitch when tightened. Pulled me out of a hole many times when I couldn’t wait on a kit. Smallest insert I ever fit is M2 into delrin.

  50. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Meg Pie says:

    Need help with bolt broken in REAR BOTTOM STUT. HEAD OF BOLT BROKE RIGHT OFF ANY HELP APPRECIATED.

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