Helicoil on wheel lug thread?

[Darren1717]

has anyone successfully used a helicoil to replace the thread on the hub for a lug bolt?

I have 1 lug that will not torque to the correct setting,.. guessing the thread is stripped. I don’t really want to replace the hub and I wondered if the helicoil is any good?

Thanks

 

[Trickythemerc]

I would replace the hub, helicoil would be a bit like using superglue to fix a broken rotor blade on a sea king chopper. It may be OK but you would only find out when it let go.

 

[unimog]

You would be better off with a Keensert thread repair. I have used these before on fittings in mild steel that have M12 threads with 300+ lbft torque settings without problem. These have extra pegs to lock them in place and allow a higher torque. All thread repair inserts require a minimum insert depth so make sure you have enough 'meat' to get it fully engaged.

Specialty Fasteners in the UK used to sell them, maybe give them a google.

 

[saff]

I too would replace the hub, no question.

 

[Muckypaps]

I would have total faith in an Helicoil type repair.
If you have had experience in this type of repair, you would be confident in it.
Replacing the hub seems overkill just for a thread, unless you have too much money, or lack of confidence in engineering.

Not quite a Sea King, but they are used in Aircraft engines.

Aerospace - Wire Thread Inserts

 

[Doodle]

If you have faith in and experience of performing this type of repair (which is important as it needs to be done right), you're unlikely to be asking if it was ok.

On that basis, replacing the hub with a good second hand unit is going to be cheaper than getting someone out to helicoil it for you.

 

[Trickythemerc]

I would doubt very much that the thread depth would be deep enough to support an insert. I have used Helicoil etc on lots of applications, one of the early jobs was a mini sump plug back in the day. They were/are used quite often on torque converters when changing the flex plates.

 

[Jamiewatkins2004]

Change the hub.
Also check the bolt thread isnt damaged. In fairness I'd also change the bolts as this will improve the torque tension in the joint with new hubs and fasteners.

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[optimusprime]

You have 5 hub bolts ,and the one with a helicoil in will make it just as safe as 5 good bolts . A chance that the wheel relies on just one bolt would be no good at all but because you have 4 good ones torqued up the chance of all 5 bolts failing is million to 1 .

 

[Jamiewatkins2004]

You have 5 hub bolts ,and the one with a helicoil in will make it just as safe as 5 good bolts . A chance that the wheel relies on just one bolt would be no good at all but because you have 4 good ones torqued up the chance of all 5 bolts failing is million to 1 .

That's not right, the top upper most bolt of the joint when rotating will be slightly open due to the loading through the joint. In other words the joint is fatiguing.its not wise to rely on 4 other bolts cause you need all 5 working correctly for the joint to retain the wheel adequately.

Safety is paramount.. you don't want wheels following you down the motorway.



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[gibsonk]

Just my tuppence but I would replace the Hub as mentioned by others, I would never trust the car if i bodged a Hub.

 

[optimusprime]

Jamie your splitting straws . The alloy would have to break in to 5 pieces , and then , and only then , the wheel would give way .Half the lorries on the road have one missing or even 2 . Also with an helicoil fitted and pulled up to the right torque is will be as good as new .

 

[Jamiewatkins2004]

I know exactly what I'm saying, I'm an expert in fastener engineering and specialise in wheel fixings for many OEM's.

If one bolt is not clamped up correctly the others will fatigue and ultimately it will fail. The wheel wont break up, the bolts will fail

Helicoil in a hub is a big no no.

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[Trickythemerc]

Truck wheels mount differently to car wheels and use massive torque, they also use handed nuts to prevent them coming loose. As Jamie says one incorrectly torqued or missing and the others will fail very quickly.

 

[markjay]

Another vote for a new hub.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

I know exactly what I'm saying, I'm an expert in fastener engineering and specialise in wheel fixings for many OEM's.

If one bolt is not clamped up correctly the others will fatigue and ultimately it will fail. The wheel wont break up, the bolts will fail

Helicoil in a hub is a big no no.

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I was in a Peugeot 504 in West Africa - got a puncture, driver changed the wheel - didn't tighten the (3) bolts properly. When we arrived at our destination the rim had much bigger bolt holes - bolts were still there - no dramatic failure - this was over really bad dirt roads which is why we didn't notice the bolts were loose.

 

[markjay]

I was in a Peugeot 504 in West Africa - got a puncture, driver changed the wheel - didn't tighten the (3) bolts properly. When we arrived at our destination the rim had much bigger bolt holes - bolts were still there - no dramatic failure - this was over really bad dirt roads which is why we didn't notice the bolts were loose.

Peugeot 403, 404, and 504 don't break down... that's why they love them in Africa so much.

 

[optimusprime]

. I have helicoiled engine threads on engine repairs in the past with good results without any problems .But best way out is that poster spends a few hundred on a new hub. Job done . Helicoil is just another thread and if they were not good enough then they would not be for sale Even fitted them in to cylinder heads to hold cylinder head bolts . Some motors wheels only have three lug bolts to hold the wheel on , in that case then i would take sides , .But to have 4 normal lug bolts and one helicoil thread i say is a strong as 5 lug bolts . All 5 lug bolts would need to fail for a wheel to come adrift . Once fitted and the right torque settings applied to the repaired thread all you need to do is check it every now and then. And i bet no one checks their lug bolts truth be told, from one year to the next . First thing i had to do before i delivered a new vehicle to any new owner was check the lug bolts.

 

[clubhellfire]

Say that your wheel shears the bolt or more likely pulls the helicoil out and causes an fatal accident, I bet the insurance would say it's on your head.

I second a keensert much better than a standard helicoil. I know they use them for F1 test jigs for this reason.