Stripped threads on skid pan

[mrwebb]

Anybody have suggestions on how to avoid stripping the skidpan bolts on a 07 V-8 4X4. I've done my best to start the bolt straight and it still cross threads. It's on the back of the skid pan, not near the front of the truck. Any help would be appreciated! You just can't get to the oil filter without removing the skid pan.

 

[drmorbius]

Anybody have suggestions on how to avoid stripping the skidpan bolts on a 07 V-8 4X4. I've done my best to start the bolt straight and it still cross threads. It's on the back of the skid pan, not near the front of the truck. Any help would be appreciated! You just can't get to the oil filter without removing the skid pan.

I would take the bolt to a place that sells metric bolts and buy a replacement bolt and a tap in the same size. Using a tap handle run the tap through the hole in the back where the skidpan attaches to clean up the threads or have someone with a tap handle do it for you.

 

[J.A.]

To avoid cross threading the bolts in the future, simply replace the self tapping bolts with regular M8x1.25x25mm bolts.

How to fix the damage

 

[mrwebb]

Excuse my ignorance but are they considered self-tapping because they have the notch cut out at the bottom of the bolt?

 

[matroe11]

I also stripped one of the bolts the last time I took my skidders off. I went to the dealership and got a couple of replacements for about $1 each.

 

[climb.on]

If the bolt threads are mucked up, then replace the bolt. If the threads in the hole are trashed, you can start with a tap and see if that will clean them up - if not you can do a helicoil to repair them. Helicoils are pretty slick and can be had at any autoparts store. Just bring in one of the good bolts to make sure you get the correct size helicoil.

I lubed all my bolts and holes on the pan with anti-seize to help avoid this very thing. Good luck.