I have had to use a tap to clean up a lightly stripped internal thread.

Now, when I put the bolt in, it wiggles around a bit. When I tighten it all the way, it seems to be stable, but is it a concern that it move around in the whole a little before it is fully tight? I just don't have a lot of experience. Is it normal for a bolt to have some space to move around in the thread before it tight?

This is on an aftermarket exhaust manifold / catalytic converter. The three other bolts are fine.

 

that is because you are NOT supposed to use a tap to "clean/repair" threads. you are supposed to use a thread repair kit/rethreader

 

Do you mean I need to use inserts?

What do you use taps for, then?

Aren't repair kits comprised of taps and dies?

Thank you.

 

You used the wrong tap, and yes, we use taps to "chase" treads that have been damaged all the time.

Also yes, repair kits do have taps, but with a repair kit the tap you use is "bigger" then the damaged hole to allow for the insert to be installed, the insert will be the correct size for the treads you are repairing.

You have two options, get the correct bolt for the hole you tapped or get the repair kit and install the proper insert for the bolt you have. 94

 

Thanks for the explanation.

The bolt is 5/16 24, and I used the 5/16 24 tap.

Should I have have used a different tap?

How do you know when to "chase" and when to use an insert?

 

i really dont understand how ppl give WRONG info.

a thread repair kit does NOT make the hole or threads bigger. a thread repair kit does just that REPAIR threads. do they look like taps YES are they taps NO.

taps/dies--- for CUTTING new threads have a theads that come to a VERY sharp point.

thread repair tap/dies have a less sharp almost rolled edge to REPAIR threads

also NO insert is needed when you use a repair kit. what you mean FCM is a time sert 10000x diff than what he should have used.


this link below is what you should have used.


http://store.snapon.com/U-S-Metric-C...c-P641094.aspx

 

Actually, a friend did this, and I am not sure whether he used a cutting tap or a repair tap.

But if the size is the same, shouldn't the cutting tap still not make the hole any bigger?

 

no it will make hole a tad bigger because when u cut threads (new ones) there is a set amount of material removed due to cutting them, then you run the same size tap into a hole that has rolled threads what you are doing is cutting MORE material away and lesing overall surface area of the threads that will be left

 

Ok, so the sharp threads of a cutting tap remove additional metal even if the same size thread is used.

A tap with rolled threads does not remove additional metal.

I can only assume he used a cutting tap, since the whole does seem to be slightly bigger.

There is very slight wiggle room for the bolt. The question is whether that's an issue.

 

IMO if it were ME i would look online for a drill/tap size chart find next tap size and according drill bit and just drill out (if there is room to go bigger) and tap next size up, get new bolt and keep friends off your car that dont have a clue

 

I also don't have a clue. That's why I asked a friend...

But I am learning, and this information is really helpful, so thanks again.

 

We use taps, ["sharp ones"] all the time at the shop to "chase" treads without making the hole any bigger, when we "repair" a hole it is always with an insert, [BTW Time Sert is a brand name for an insert, so is Helicoil and Recoil]

I did not give "WORNG" info, tell me what part is incorrect, other then not assuming the OP had a friend try and "repair" a hole that was far too damaged to be chased. 94

 

Is it normal for a bolt to move side to side at all when screwed in about half way? Or is it supposed to have zero wiggle room?

 

that is the statement that is wrong

again when using a thread REPAIR kit you do NOT use a inset of ANY kind

 

Apples and oranges, we call it "chasing" when we "fix" treads, when we "repair" a hole it is always with an insert. 94

 

^ ok maybe just diff wording lol

sorry