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      09-14-2021, 09:10 AM   #96
XRatedM
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Drives: 11' X5M - 19' VW GTI
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Northern VA

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So after several weeks of no time, I finally got to the heli-coil fix on the swing arm/control arm - there are a lot more wrongs than rights, so just throwing it out there for anyone who might run into a similar situation.

Thread stripping on the aluminum swing/control arm is fairly common - so I wanted to give Heli-coil a go - the process is to drill out a larger diameter, rethread the hole to a larger size then install thread coil (basically to retain the original bolt size m14x1.5 in this case).

Drilled a larger diameter hole - it is critical to be dead center otherwise it just won't work.

First mistake: I was probably slightly off and wasn't dead center.

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Second mistake: Installed the helicoil thread coil, I installed it too deep, it has to be 1/4 in and rest will be threaded in with the bolt and will lock into position with bolt all the way in.

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Removed the strut and replaced the bump stop with DINAN stage 1

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As I went on to put everything back together the bolt won't tighten and kept spinning.
Third mistake: I did not do a great job thoroughly cleaning the cutting oil and added orange thread locker on slightly wet threads and the bolt came out like below - cutting oil did not let the coil sit in place and lock.

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Heli-coil thread coil was damaged and threads stripped again.

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I now have two options, either I can save this swing arm by taking it to a machine shop and having them professionally do a BIGSERT, somewhat similar process to drill out a bigger diameter hole and insert a correct size insert, it is considered to be safe and long lasting.

Or go ahead and buy used swing/control arms and call it a day, maybe replace bushings as I will be going through the pain of removing the entire arm.

Last edited by XRatedM; 09-14-2021 at 02:33 PM..
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