Build Thread: Sixstringsteve's 2002 Tacoma double cab: Carlos

[Kevin B.]

Steve has at least on back up vehicle

I'm available tomorrow if you need help Steve, but I did volunteer my help to Kevin first

I think I'm good. I've got nothing to do right now that will need more than one set of hands anyway, that'll come later in the week. You should help Steve tomorrow so he has something to drive and can come help me later.

 

[sixstringsteve]

why do you need a shop to do the helicoil? are the ball joints just hard to install an uninstall?

because I'm a dufus and I"ll screw it up. The hole isn't a through hole. It's tough to tap a hole that doesn't have an exit. I don't know how to explain it. I'd need a bottom tap to do it, and I suck at tapping.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Do it right and replace it. I will come over one night this week and help you do it.

I may hold you to that. I don't have a press big enough to press out the bearings.

As long as I can get 59 ft/lbs on the helicoil, I'll be fine.

 

[sixstringsteve]

You should help Steve tomorrow so he has something to drive and can come help me later.

I like this idea. Let me research what needs to be done to swap knuckles.

 

[blznnp]

because I'm a dufus and I"ll screw it up. The hole isn't a through hole. It's tough to tap a hole that doesn't have an exit. I don't know how to explain it. I'd need a bottom tap to do it, and I suck at tapping.

i used the tap that came with the helicoil kit on my intake manifold, its not a threw hole and no problems, just had to spend time cleaning out the holes and making sure I got all of the shavings. I would probably replace it to though, especially if you have one already lined up to replace.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I was under the impression that a helicoil, when done right, is just as strong as the original threads.

 

[TRD270]

Let me know Steve, I'll be down at Cabelas tomorrow picking up some stuff for FYTO. I'm off on Monday so I can come torch parts off

 

[sixstringsteve]

uh, no torching necessary. I'll keep you posted though. Thanks for the offer.

 

[TRD270]

uh, no torching necessary. I'll keep you posted though. Thanks for the offer.

I can always find something to torch

 

[sixstringsteve]

Crappy cell phone pic. I think the black grill is a little much, but at least it isn't chrome.

The thing about replacing the spindle/knuckle is that I'll need new wheel bearings too, so we're talking an extra $300 or so after parts and labor to press it in. I'm fully confident a timesert will fix it (assuming I can find someone to install it).

 

[AddictedOffroad]

The issue with this is that I'd also have to drill out the lower ball joint, weakening it. I may hit you up for one of those spindles. Thanks!

A nut on top will fit and not interfere too. It will make it drivable until you can replace the spindle. I will see what I have the in shop tomorrow. Call me to remind me though.

 

[sixstringsteve]

its actually the outer hole that's stripped. The bolts only engage for about 3-4 turns in those holes, and the PO had a washer on it, making it only engage for 1 or 2 turns.

 

[kellerexpress]

Crappy cell phone pic. I think the black grill is a little much, but at least it isn't chrome.

The thing about replacing the spindle/knuckle is that I'll need new wheel bearings too, so we're talking an extra $300 or so after parts and labor to press it in. I'm fully confident a timesert will fix it (assuming I can find someone to install it).

Looking good, i like the black grill.

 

[blznnp]

At least on my intake manifold, which is aluminum, the helicoil is stronger than the original, but the aluminum isn't the best for threads.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I think a timesert is steel and it seems to be a bit better. Id love to be able to find a shop that can install one without removing the knuckle

 

[blznnp]

I would think that you could just do the thread, then blow it out with air to get the shavings. I don't know how they are set up or how the hole looks, but I would at least give it a try before you take it to a shop and pay them to do it.

 

[Max Power]

Did you pick up a compressor yet?

 

[sixstringsteve]

We tried that, then we tried running a tap through to clean it up. It was cutting more than we wanted, and after about 40 lbs of torque the threads broke loose and it was totally stripped.

 

[blznnp]

well nevermind, just weld it

 

[STAG]

Did you pick up a compressor yet?

Iirc Steve has a killer air compressor that I wish was in my garage.