Starter Bolt Holes Stripped?
 

What a nightmare, get my truck fixed after a blown intake gasket, take it down the road all is great. Next day go to the gas station as I am backing out truck dies (vacuum line came off), but would not start back up, starter would not engage properly.

Have it towed to the local dealership for them to look at it, they contact me and inform me the bolts are lose and bent, also the starter is bad and want $410 to fix. I don't think so, inform them to put the starter back in and I would come pick it up.

The install new bolts (supposedly) I go pick it up cranks right up no problem, run some errands around town 2-3 more stops no problems. To my friends house go to leave and starter wont engage again. Get underneath and the bolts are loose again and will not tighten up. So appears the bolt holes are stripped.

What is the best way to fix this? I am assuming drilling and heli-coil, if so please tell me what size bits and heli-coils and such I would need.

Thanks,
Clint

The questions you have will depend on the bolt size your using. Then go to a parts house & get the size heli-coil & if you buy the kit you'll get a drill & tap & install tool. Be sure to use locktite Red.

might want to google around. this might be one of those things you have to order online. alot of places sell kit, in the help section or whatever for specific applications like this. i know they make them for spark plug holes and dana 60 axle stud holes. this might be a common problem, but have not heard about it.

You can get helicoils at any autoparts store. Just take the bolt in with you to match up the helicoil and the parts guy should be able to tell you what size drill and tap you need to install and if not you can google it.

lol they couldnt. Half of them much less know what a wrench is.


If you have a ace hardware nearby check with them. the one here has a rack full of tap stuff etc.