Notices
ScoobyNet General General Subaru Discussion

Stripped cambelt tensioner bracket bolt hole!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 16 July 2017, 08:16 PM
  #1  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default Stripped cambelt tensioner bracket bolt hole!

Honestly wtf. Are these things made from cheese? Had the torque wrench set to 25nm and it never clicked. Just carried on turning until I thought "what's going on" and took the bolt back out. Found half the threads on it.

FML.
Old 16 July 2017, 08:48 PM
  #2  
RedScoob
Scooby Regular
 
RedScoob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Sounds like someone had already screwed it up. That's going to be a bugger.
Old 16 July 2017, 09:16 PM
  #3  
JonMc
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (51)
 
JonMc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wherever I park my car, that's my home
Posts: 20,491
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Helicoil...
Old 16 July 2017, 09:26 PM
  #4  
Turbovin
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
Turbovin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Sweden
Posts: 678
Received 37 Likes on 31 Posts
Default

I sometimes feel that a torque wrench does more damage than good when working on these engines.
Old 16 July 2017, 09:29 PM
  #5  
JonMc
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (51)
 
JonMc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wherever I park my car, that's my home
Posts: 20,491
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I've jusr helicoiled mine after the thread stripped removing the sump baffle. Lots of packing and checking to make sure not swarfe was left in the block...
Old 16 July 2017, 10:21 PM
  #6  
gazzawrx
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (11)
 
gazzawrx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: everywhere
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Jay Cartay
Honestly wtf. Are these things made from cheese? Had the torque wrench set to 25nm and it never clicked. Just carried on turning until I thought "what's going on" and took the bolt back out. Found half the threads on it.

FML.
You can change the bracket that the tensioner bolts to if needed.
Old 16 July 2017, 10:22 PM
  #7  
gazzawrx
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (11)
 
gazzawrx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: everywhere
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by JonMc
I've jusr helicoiled mine after the thread stripped removing the sump baffle. Lots of packing and checking to make sure not swarfe was left in the block...
That helicoil needs winding in more, it's sitting too proud.
Old 16 July 2017, 11:00 PM
  #8  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by gazzawrx
You can change the bracket that the tensioner bolts to if needed.
I know, it's the hole the bracket itself bolts to. Well happy after already having to helicoil one of the oil pump bolts! I feel like I'm constantly having to unbodge other peoples' **** ups and today I've had enough.

Going on Amazon now to buy an M10x1.25 helicoil kit.
Old 16 July 2017, 11:26 PM
  #9  
jonnyricer2
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (9)
 
jonnyricer2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: bexhill east sussex
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Time certs are better!!
Old 17 July 2017, 11:46 AM
  #10  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jonnyricer2
Time certs are better!!
Not sure the extra cost is worthwhile for something that only wants 25nm of torque on it to be honest. Should be OK with helis?
Old 17 July 2017, 11:59 AM
  #11  
MOTORS S GT
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
MOTORS S GT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northampton
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
Received 34 Likes on 22 Posts
Default

Make sure you drill & fit the helicoil exactly square, otherwise the tensioner will sit on the ****, which won't do the cambelt or tension any favours, seen a few like it.
Old 17 July 2017, 01:22 PM
  #12  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

To be honest I'll be extremely cautious. I'm a bit worried that somehow the repair won't hold up but I know that's not the case if it's done properly. I am a worrier by nature though!
Old 17 July 2017, 02:04 PM
  #13  
MOTORS S GT
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
 
MOTORS S GT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northampton
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
Received 34 Likes on 22 Posts
Default

Done properly a helicoil repair will be better than the original.
Old 17 July 2017, 02:07 PM
  #14  
Cambs_Stuart
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Cambs_Stuart's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Cambridge
Posts: 1,789
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Good luck to you! I can't offer any advice but you've got my sympathy.
Old 19 July 2017, 03:50 PM
  #15  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

I've had real fun with this... The first helicoil wasn't in far enough so I ended up damaging the bolt. I managed to remove it and get one in properly. Bolt is in and torqued up for test purposes but I want to replace it as the body of the bolt where the threaded part is goes noticeably narrower where it was partially cross threaded into the dodgy helicoil.

It torques up but being narrower I can't trust it now. Unfortunately I cannot find a replacement bolt on its own..... I am considering using a normal high tensile M10x1.25 bolt with a small washer behind it but I'm not sure if there will be any problem doing that?
Old 19 July 2017, 06:53 PM
  #16  
JonMc
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (51)
 
JonMc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wherever I park my car, that's my home
Posts: 20,491
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by gazzawrx
That helicoil needs winding in more, it's sitting too proud.
I know, the tag snapped off so I need to wind it back out and fit another one - I ran out of time and the beer was calling
Old 19 July 2017, 07:12 PM
  #17  
Don Clark
Scooby Regular
 
Don Clark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harpenden
Posts: 7,556
Received 746 Likes on 619 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Jay Cartay
Unfortunately I cannot find a replacement bolt on its own
If it's the long bolt (item 10) it's the same as used through the small idler.................

For example

https://www.importcarparts.co.uk/par...y=&searchPart=



If it's the shorter bolt (item 12) it shouldn't be too difficult to get one

Old 19 July 2017, 07:27 PM
  #18  
JonMc
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (51)
 
JonMc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wherever I park my car, that's my home
Posts: 20,491
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by JonMc
I know, the tag snapped off so I need to wind it back out and fit another one - I ran out of time and the beer was calling
Done...
Old 19 July 2017, 08:49 PM
  #19  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

It's in now and torqued up with a touch of blue loctite on but I'm a bit worried about it.

Don, they aren't the same. One is a 14mm head and the other a 12mm:

Old 19 July 2017, 08:51 PM
  #20  
JonMc
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (51)
 
JonMc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wherever I park my car, that's my home
Posts: 20,491
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Did you not drill it out and add a helicoil that was the same size as the original thread?
Old 19 July 2017, 08:54 PM
  #21  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by JonMc
Did you not drill it out and add a helicoil that was the same size as the original thread?
Yes but when I went to screw the bolt in it cross threaded slightly the first time because the helicoil wasn't far enough in and I couldn't actually tell until it was too late. When I took the bolt back out it had sort of smoothed down the very edges of the threads. It still screws in and torques up, so most likely not damaged enough to be an issue but I'm worrying about it all the same.
Old 19 July 2017, 08:59 PM
  #22  
JonMc
Scooby Senior
iTrader: (51)
 
JonMc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wherever I park my car, that's my home
Posts: 20,491
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I wouldn't worry, I've helicoiled 2 threads for my sump baffle - the blocks are made of margarine (I mean aluminium) and the helicoil inserts are steel which is stronger and tougher so if it's torqued up it will be fine...
Old 19 July 2017, 09:06 PM
  #23  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Yeah not worried about the helicoil, just the bolt itself. It probably is fine since it has torqued up, I just wanted to check with those more knowledgeable.
Old 19 July 2017, 09:50 PM
  #24  
Don Clark
Scooby Regular
 
Don Clark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harpenden
Posts: 7,556
Received 746 Likes on 619 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Jay Cartay
Don, they aren't the same. One is a 14mm head and the other a 12mm:
I'm now a little confused as you said the hole that had stripped was in the bracket that the tensioner bolted to.

The Tensioner is the complete item ringed in red below and it looks as if the tensioner idler has been removed due to the chewed up bolt head (marked 1)

The tensioner bracket is the item bolted to the block using screws marked 2 & 3



If the bolt that has been stripped/helicoiled is bolt 1 and you are not sure about it then get a new tensioner.
Old 19 July 2017, 10:14 PM
  #25  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

No it's the right hand bolt of the tensioner. Sorry for the misunderstanding! What should that right hand bolt be torqued to? 39nm like the others or the 25nm I've done it to?
Old 19 July 2017, 11:26 PM
  #26  
Jay Cartay
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
Jay Cartay's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
Posts: 1,521
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Torqued it to 39nm after realising all the torque specs I've seen say that for the tensioner




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:59 PM.