brake caliper mounting hole stripped

[hyde88]

 first time posting here. I  have an 84 c10 2wd.  recently took the calipers off  and noticed I was missing the bottom mounting bolt.  found the threads gone where it screws in.  searched all day to find a heli coil that's 7/16-20 thread to repair the hole.  any other ideas to fix it temporarily?

[Irish_Alley]

since its brakes i wouldn't try to fix it i would replace it. brakes you dont want to screw around with, good thing about out trucks parts are common at the junkyard. just have to match up the brake style

[gildardo01]

i would just get a rebuilt caliper.. they sell them in most autopart stores.. just dont tell them about the thread since you have to turn in the core..

[hyde88]

 there's no thread on the caliper. the pin actually threads into the steering knuckle.  the hole on the steering knuckle is the one that's stripped. I put some jb weld on it for now until I get my helicoil set  in the mail.

[Irish_Alley]

and you drive this on the road? idk maybe you dont value your life but have some respect for others on the road. if yopu go to the junkyard you could prob pick one up for $20

[DnStClr]

I've used helicoil inserts and e-z lock ones, (I prefer e-z lock inserts) and the most impt thing  is cleanliness.  Here's a few tips if ya need em-
 1. Don't use cutting fluid when drilling out and tapping the knuckle for the new insert.  The knuckle is soft. ( cast iron) and oil will screw up the lock-tite you're getting ready to use.
 2. Use spray brake parts cleaner to clean the helicoil before using it. Let it dry.
 3. Use red lock-tite (permanent)on the outside threads of the helicoil .
 4. Don't over-torque the helicoil when installing. The threads will spread out and be useless.
 5. Ditto on the installation of the bolt, but allow 24 hrs for the lock-tite to set up before installing the caliper.

[81_Chevy]

and you drive this on the road? idk maybe you dont value your life but have some respect for others on the road. if you go to the junkyard you could prob pick one up for $20

im with Irish on this one.. when it comes to brakes you never mess around, especially putting JB weld on something as necessary as brakes..

it might be "redneck engineering" to get you by, but if that bolt were to come out there are so many different things that could go wrong, very fast.

[DnStClr]

JMO, but you guys might not be familiar with the replacement of a steering knuckle. Irish, I doubt that you could find a $20 replacement, and you would spend a long time getting it off a donor. And what if you find the hole in the knuckle to be out of round? a new knuckle costs over $400. It's not a small job. probably would require new ball joints- upper and lower, new bearing, seal , tools to remove the ball joints and tie rod end.....new ball joints need to be installed properly...etc....
    Isn't it much easier to just drill out the damaged threads in the knuckle and install a thread insert like a helicoil? It is a proper and acceptable repair for damaged threads. For these repairs it's a common fix.

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/products/KNUCKLE-Steering/2686394/14054925.html

[bd]

FYI - Helicoils, when properly installed as Don explained, will actually be stronger than the original threads cut into the iron knuckle.  In addition, there is very little-to-no shear, tensional or torsional stress placed on the caliper guide pins.  The stresses of braking and keeping the caliper in position are placed directly onto the caliper supports that are integral parts of the knuckle.  The pins' sole purposes are to keep the caliper appropriately located between the caliper supports, while allowing the caliper to freely slide laterally as the outer pad and rotor wear.  So, all of the skepticism and excitement expressed in this thread are unnecessary foil.  Helicoil repair of the knuckle threads is a perfectly acceptable repair strategy.

[square81]

I work at a Chrysler dealer as a tech. We use heli coils on spindles and caliper brackets all the time. When done properly they never fail. I've seen some of those vehicles come back for brake repairs many miles later and no problems taking it back apart. I wouldn't worry, it's a lot less work then changing a spindle.

[Irish_Alley]

i dont have a problem with heli coils, but its the ideal of jb weld. i laughed at the stuff cause it is pretty strong seen it used on a engine block with no problem, but the only thing it will see there is pressure, oil and heat. on the brakes cmon you have to have some common sense with this. we just got insurance for a welding shop where we will do repairs to all sorts of trucks and stuff, some of the questions they ask will you be doing hitches? will you be doing brakes? its a liability. cause if something screws up it could be manslaughter or worse. this is just like the ideal of lift blocks on the front axle. your rigging something up, just like your rigging it up with jb. if some how that caliper brakes free you will lose pressure on the other side also. granted you have the rears but they might not stop you in time. idk maybe im just being paranoid or being precautions. idk maybe its just my thinking but if you can buy two complete used axles for $200 then just one knuckle wont be that much. but i do understand the ideal of what will be easier and more sensible for the heli. if i was in his shoes i wouldnt buy a new knuckle mabey used but i know i sure wouldnt put jb weld on the brakes. heli coil would be the cheapest and will be safe