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Triumph TR6 - Trailing Arm Studs Stripped

Hi Guys (& Gals):

Removed rear hub to replace u-joint & bearing on my '76 TR6 & found that two studs holding the hub to the aluminum trailing arm were totally stripped out. It turns out that was where the play was coming from as a couple more were loose & the bearing was just fine. Anyway, I've got the hub firmly secured with only four bolts & bought a heli-coil kit to fix the stripped holes. A guy I know with a bunch of TR6's says to just retap the holes & the hub & install 3/8 " bolts. Not sure I like that idea and the flange on the hub doesn't have a lot of room to make the hole much bigger. Is the heli-coil the way to go? Can I get this done with the trailing arm in the car & using my old Dewalt drill with built in bubble levels or do I need to take out the trailing arm & use a drill press? I've got new trailing arm bushings & rear springs but was figuring on that for a Winter project. Any advice would be appreciated.

Bob
Paradise, Newfoundland
Bob Evans

Hi Bob

If its a true Heli kit 5/16-24 the drill provided Heli-coil 21/64 HS USA will stay true if you don't force. Drill bit will take the path of least resistance old threads only. Your old Dewalt is probably better than a new drill even with wear. Just line her up and let float steady.

The "like" a heli coil kits sold by hardware and car part places are marginal? So be real carefull if your using them.

Straight forward simple job on car. Do one and reassemble to make sure your getting straight.

Don't like the bolt idea myself.

Bill

Bill Brayford

Hi Bob
I would advise you to renew all the hub threads with Helicoils, fine threads in an aluminium casting are bad engineering practice, and if you do it like Bill says it's very easy to do in situ.
Ron
R. Algie

Absolultely do them ALL Bob.

Go ahead. Ask me how I know.

Oh, and join up or there will, most certainly, be goose abuse forthcoming.

Jim
Jim Deatsch

Since Bob didn't take the bait.....

Pray tell Jim, how doooo you know? Is this more a tale of woe and intrigue or more of a doom and gloom scenario (such as the one I witnessed at a VTR National several years ago)?
SteveP

Good question Bob. When I pulled apart the trailing arms on my 70 TR6 last winter, found I needed a different wrench for one side than the other. Looks like a PO had the same problem and went the 3/8 th route on one side. It's not going to be a show car so I guess it stays as is. Brian
B. Towne

Thanks Bill & all you guys:

I joined up Jim but I'm better with a wrench than with a PC so I don't have all my compulsory fields figured out on the registration. BTW - when they ask for date registered do they mean original registration for the car or when I registered it as new owner. I'll get it done - this is a great site! I'll ask - HOW DO YOU KNOW, Jim?

Bill: not sure what you mean by "true" Heli kit. It's as you quoted; 5/16 - 24 Fine, specifying a 21/64 bit. It's marketed by PAULIN (out of Toronto), trade name - Perma-Coil & made in the USA so it's gotta be good right? Replace 'em all guys? That means 12 I can mess up instead of 4! Found two more stripped on driver's side.

Thanks,
Bob Evans
Paradise, NL
Bob Evans

Bob
Replace all 12, it really is easy, it will take you about half an hour a side once the hubs etc are stripped off.
Ron
R. Algie

Listen to our UK contingent.

Do them all.

The car makes a VERY funny noise as they all, finally pull. Nothing fell off fortunately as I pulled off the road quickly. That right hand turn was the final straw (coming out from a stop sign so I was going quite slow).

I did both sides that next weekend.

GENUINE Heli-CoilŪ is the ONLY WAY TO GO!

Jim (it's worth doing properly)
Jim Deatsch

Thanks Guys:

Ron, Jim, Steve & Brian; appreciate the advice. Guess I'll fix them all. Like I don't have enough to do on the TR but that's Triumphs, right. Always something to do. Hope it rains so I don't miss the driving so much. Anybody answer the registration question? Original date the car was registered or the date I took ownership? Any other "iffy" fields on that membership form? I signed up a month ago but assume because my data is incomplete I still show up as a Non-Member.

Bob Evans
paradise, Nfld.
'76 TR6
Bob Evans

Hi Bob,
You don't need to fill in those details to become a member...none of mine are...all that's needed is your name, e-mail etc. If it greets you with that WELCOME BOB at the top of the red page your in !
To show as a member and save time in the future login to the home page then go to the TR6 archives main page and save that page as a favorite..then send that link to your desktop as a shortcut . That means you will always show as a member and it will open up this TR6 BBS right away
Charlie
Charlie Ballard

Hi Bob

Regarding Helicoil

Get Helicoil P/N 5402-5 Master repair kit 5/16-24 mines about 15 years old so that P/N may have changed. Gives you everything but the electric drill. 24 inserts. Yep too many but worked out cheapest then.

Toronto me ar*e son...:) Check the made in China tag inside. Not sure of perma coil name brand so may be OK? All good industrial sell as a kit with all parts including drill bit supplied! I would take back and go to an industrial supply and order the helicoil. Your ar*e is riding not to far off? My opinion.

Bill

Bill Brayford

Thanks Guys:

Okay Bill. Heli-Coil it is then! Three times the price but the TR is worth it - not to mention my ar*e :>)

Bob Evans
Paradise, NL
A.R. Evans

This thread was discussed between 21/07/2004 and 27/07/2004

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