Need Advice unitized hub threads damaged

[WRLIVE]

I'm working on ball joint project and have been well equipped with tools thanks you guys in this forum. Everything has come apart nicely with the exception of



the passenger side hub. I did get it apart. Whoever put it together last time should be strung up. 2 of the bolts were driven in destroying the bolt and threads in the hub.



My bearings feel fine and I hate to spend $200 on a hub/bearing if fixing the threads is doable and safe. I'm trying to figure out what size the bolt is.



I believe it is metric. Called the dealer they have the bolts but can't tell what size they are. Could a heli coil or EZ-Lok work?



Thanks for your continued help:{

 

[Scrappy]

If and I say IF there is enough meat to drill the hole big enough and not lose strength, I don't see why you couldn't use a helicoil.

 

[WRLIVE]

Thanks. I'm hoping there is enough meat. The bolt was tight in the 'threads'. I'll take another look as soon as I get home tonight.

 

[WRLIVE]

I just called Napa for the helicoil kit. It looks like the bolt is a M14x1. 5 Can anyone verify that as correct? Napa is telling me the kit is roughly $150.

 

[RJWEST]

can't you just retap it with larger bolt

 

[WRLIVE]

One could I guess but I'm not excited about drilling out the knuckle to a larger size.

 

[Bob V]

You might try tapping it first, then helicoil if that doesn't work. If you where a little closer I would loan you the kit.

 

[RCorbeil]

Why not chase the thread thats already there? If it is 14x1. 5mm the tap won't be hard to find and the bolts should be available from a nut and bolt suppy house in grade 10. 9 or better.



Ron

 

[brods]

How were the bolts "driven" into the hub? The power steering trick? Are the ears distorted? How many miles on the bearing?



If it is damaged, why bother messing with it at all? Even if you chase down all the stuff to sort of fix it, you still don't know if that bearing has 2,000 miles or 200,000 miles left in it. I'd just buy a new bearing assembly, a couple of replacement bolts and be done with it for good. Simple, easy and no worries about the quality of the repair.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

The thread is a metric 14 x 1. 5. I bought a tap a few weeks ago to build a bearing removal tool. I have the tool built but am trying to find time to replace my right side axle joint.



I think you'd be fine to chase the threads. If that seems to leave the bolts too loose, then you could try the heli-coil.



Jeff

 

[WRLIVE]

Thanks Bob. I wish you were closer. I just don't know how much use I'll get out of the install tool for that M14.

Thank you guys for all your help on this. I don't know how the bolts were driven into the hub. What ever method was used was not the best method. The ears of the hub do seem to be in plane with the hub-back.

Miles? I don't know if I can assume they are the originals or not. If they are then 90k. Yep I broke down and bought a hub off ebay (new) and got a couple of bolts and a new dust sheild from the dealer.

Thank Turbo1Ton for verifying the bolt size. I appreciate that.

In my spare time I want to play around with pressing the bearing apart enough to regrease it and will call on my local buddy network to find someone who has the helicoil install tool for 14 x 1. 5. I like the idea of having one on the shelf ready to go.

Hub will be here Tuesday. I feel so much better knowing that when I'm done it will be done right with the help of the TDR force.