Stripped Part-Bolt won't stay on

[EquatorHeat00]

How do you fix a part of the car that has bolts on it that don't stay on cause the area its screwed into is stripped, and can a auto parts store order individual bolts without having to buy many of them?

[alenstein]

You can use Heli-Coil Inserts, just look for that on the web for more info. Great stuff, used in aviation on engines etc. , it has been proven.

Here are some general instructions on Heli-Coil instructions that I got out of my A&P technician book:

1. A Heli-coil insert is a special stainles steel helical insert that screws into athreaded hole to restore damaged threads to their original size.
2.To insert, Heli Coil, the damaged threads are first drilled out.
3. New threads are then cut witha s special tap.
4.The threads are gauged with a threaded gauge.
5.The Heli-coil insert is screwed into the hole with a special inserting tool.

[Black97]

Yep Heli Coils are great. Here's some info

http://www.emhart.com/products/helicoil.html

Another favorite of mine at work is to drill and tap a bigger hole and make and insert with the original size thread hole inside. Doesn't work if you don't have enough "meat" left and usually you almost need a leath to make the bushing.

[bru333]

Advance Auto and Autozone both stock Heli-Coil kits in their stores. The kit has the right size drill, inserts and installation tool. Just take the bolts for the stripped out holes with you to make sure you get the right inserts with the kit. You'll also need some thread-locker (Loc-Tite)for the inserts, it doesn't come with the kit.

One problem you might run into is not having enough room to use a drill. Where are the holes that are damaged?