Heli-Coil Steering Box?

[nvrenuf]

Would you?

I know Heli-Coil's are tried and true but I'm wondering if it's a good idea on a steering box given that they are prone to occaisionally working loose. I have already fixed the hole and the insert installed flawlessly, I'm just wondering...

 

[80' 427]

Use it, they are better than the stock treads.

 

[thatK30guy]

You could have tapped the hole to the next size larger and maybe drill or ream out the frame holes slightly.

 

[boz42]

I use long bolts on my box. After it has threaded through the box I run a nut down on the threads to lock the bolt in. You might want to do that for some extra piece of mind.

Everything I have read suggest heli core are as strong as original material.

 

[nvrenuf]

Boz, were you able to put nuts on all 4 bolts? I planned on doing 3 but this one (upper/forward position) appears to be too close to the body to clear a nut.

I thought about stepping up a hole size but there's so little meat on the mounting pads that I was afraid it might be weak.

 

[boz42]

I want to say I got one on all 4 but you are making me doubt myself now. I am at the firehouse so it will be tommorrow before i can look. I looked for a pic but I didn't have one that showed it.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

I use long bolts on my box. After it has threaded through the box I run a nut down on the threads to lock the bolt in. You might want to do that for some extra piece of mind.

Everything I have read suggest heli core are as strong as original material.

Did you use grade 8 bolts for this? All the longer ones I could find did not have enough threads on the shank to bolt down tight.

 

[boz42]

Of course I would not use less when it comes to steering or brakes.

 

[MTBLAZER89]

Well thats what I figured, but I can't seem to find any Grade 8 that are threaded the whole length of the bolt.

Sorry for the hijack John

I would think a helicoil would be fine there and use a nut and longer bolt as a backup too. I think the only spot you may not be able to fit a nut is the top forward hole. The webbing on the box is very tight right there.

 

[cdoggwsu]

That top forward bolt must be a problem child cause I just stripped mine out about 15 mins ago putting the box back in. Every other bolt went in without a problem and that one appeared to be ok until it torqued up after a few turns. Careful rethreading just seemed to make it worse.

How did the heli-coil work out?