Helicoil Trans Bracket

So I'm planning on doing a thread insert on my transmission bracket. I am on a budget so I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this kit. https://www.amazon.com/Helicoil-Type-Thread-Repair-1-5mm/dp/B007PFFYLS
Would I be safe using this or should I go name brand. (Time serts are far too expensive for me)

I'd have no problem using that kit. Even if the inserts are mild steel they're stronger than the original material.

You don't need a brand name as long as the product is decent quality. I've used very similar kits a couple of times without problems.

You would be better off getting a solid insert since those threads hold the weight of the engine trans combined, and the torque is "kinda high". Time-serts or Big-serts are good ones. I have a kit and sometimes install the serts for folks who send me their mounts. I also have mounts I can install serts in and send them to you and you can send yours back.

The helicoil is fine, except it's unavailable. We can get the kits and may even have one in stock. I'll check.

We don't see anything wrong with Helicoil or Recoil brand, except we stack the recoil and it's not the size of the ones in the usual kit. when we are done, there is about 20mm of threads in the hole.

The only time we've torn the recoils out is when we were using shorter ones. If you stack them, they last.

I personally would use a timesert

I've been getting differed opinions and I think I'm just going to retap and use a grade 8 bolt with no helicoil. Does anyone know what size to get if the original bolts are m12?

The problem with going larger is that you then need to open up the mating piece that the bolt fits through.

On my housemates' car, we installed a pair of Timesert sleeves after their son's lurching style of shifting managed to shake the engine hard enough to drop it down against the half shaft. The stock bolts don't have a lot of clearance in the holes that they fit through, before being screwed into the mounts.

If it were me, and it's not, I'd use a heli-coil or TimeSert or equal to keep the original size fastener. Whatever you use, check the spec for hold strength. In general a thread insert, properly installed, will be stronger than original. I'm always suspicious of anything from ebay or Amazon. You never know where they source their product, factory rejects or what. Usually works fine with a bit of research, but I've been burned. A machinist supply place should have something that won't break the bank.

Going larger is a one time solution...next time the job needs to be done you'll be looking for a new mount. I understand budget constraints, but I've also had short cuts come back to bite me in the arse a few times...take that as you will.

I've used EZ-lok inserts a few times and found them to work very well. If you've some tools, can drill and tap the hole, you can usually just get a couple inserts from a machine shop (the local shop does a lot of agricultural repair jobs).

Or just take the mount in and let them do it....it's not a big job.

Al

Final post: If the bolt that goes from transmission mount to bracket is m12x1.5, do I buy an m12x1.5 tap even though the inner part of the helicoil is m12x1.5 and not the outer?

Helicoil taps are referenced by the original bolt size. If you want it to replace a m12x1.5 that's the kit you buy. Kits usually include some coils, a drill, a special tap and the installation tool.

The tap will be marked as "m12x1.5 Helicoil" or something similar.

klxd said:

helicoil taps are referenced by the original bolt size. If you want it to replace a m12x1.5 that's the kit you buy. Kits usually include some coils, a drill, a special tap and the installation tool.

The tap will be marked as "m12x1.5 helicoil" or something similar.

Click to expand...

this ^^^

Thanks!

Here is the reason we always use Recoils (version of Helicoil). If you don't get it right, which does take a bit of practice, you can still use the TimeSert. But I'd have to tear up the Recoil first. And Recoils are a LOT cheaper than the TimeSert.

The other thing.. with the engine mount in place, we can install Recoils. That isn't going to work with TimeSerts. The mount comes off and you have to do TimeSerts on the bench.

I actually did a TimeSert on the car, in my housemate's 2.0 at least.
This required a hacked together vacuum extension to get down into the pocket and get the debris out, and using a correctly sized socket with a 12" extension to drive the tap and reamer, but it worked.

That said, on the bench would likely be a whole lot easier!

hey_allen said:

I actually did a TimeSert on the car, in my housemate's 2.0 at least.
This required a hacked together vacuum extension to get down into the pocket and get the debris out, and using a correctly sized socket with a 12" extension to drive the tap and reamer, but it worked.

That said, on the bench would likely be a whole lot easier!

Click to expand...

Brake cleaner into the hole to get the debris out. It cleans it out two ways.

I've done a timesert in situ on a motor mount like that once. Obviously easier on a bench, but I had already final torqued one of the bolts. That's why I now multi stage tighten those bolts

The 'problem' with buying the kit is you might as well throw it away or sell it afterwards because the chances of having to use it again are slim. Can you not find someone local that has the equipment to do the repair. Heli-coils are OK, they are used in many applications even on new parts. I have stacked them before too in some circumstances.