Fixing Internal Threads - The Fix Is In

The finished hole. Notice the threads are clean and sharp. It is important to keep the work clean throughout the process.

Place the insert onto the installation tool. It merely slips on. With some of the other brands, the insert is screwed into the installation tool. Both methods work well.

Do not try to force the insert into the hole. Instead, apply gentle pressure while you are turning the installation tool. Turn the tool to the right as you apply light, even pressure to the handle. It takes surprisingly little force to install the insert.

The insert may look like it is installed to the correct depth, but it needs to be installed just below the surface of the hole. This parallel bar set on the insert shows that it is not installed far enough. If you do not install the insert deep enough, the first thread will pull out when torque is applied to the bolt.

These two views show the insert installed to the correct depth, below the surface of the part.

This ensures that you will not have problems with the insert pulling out when the part is assembled.

With this parallel bar placed on the hole again, you can see that the insert is not above the top of the hole and is installed to the correct depth.

With the insert installed, you can see the drive tang is still in the insert. This tang must be removed prior to installing a bolt into the threads. Installing a bolt without removing the tang will damage the insert and possibly other parts.

Place the tang-removal tool into the repaired hole through the insert and onto the drive tang. Then, with a sharp rap to the end of the tool, the tang will pop out.

The tang looks like this after removal. You need to get it out of the hole to prevent future damage. The tang is made from stainless steel and can do a good bit of damage if it gets loose in the engine or any other moving part of the race car.

The completed repair. The bolt fits square and even all the way around.