Damaged threads while installing cat shield

Hello Tacoma enthusiasts!

I am new to the forum and created an issue for myself that I'm hoping other community members have some guidance/advice on how best to move forward. Recently on Black Friday, I bought a certified used 2023 Tacoma double cab TRD Sport 4x4. For reference, I do not generally mod my vehicles...I just use them as is. Also, I don't have much of a background in fixing cars or working as a machinist or some other trade. I have a work-from-home job so this is outside my comfort zone but I am willing to learn and do the repair myself.

With that said, I had heard/read about potential issues with our trucks like cat thefts so did purchase a cat shied from Cali Raised LED as a preventative measure. Well, when I was mounting the driver-side shield, I was trying to screw in the factory bolts to the truck frame and didn't realize I went in off-thread. It wasn't until I was trying to fully tighten the bolt and it wouldn't move that I realized the problem. :-( Of course, in hindsight, I feel dumb that I didn't stop sooner but I'm here now.

My question - how do I fix this? So far, I purchased a tap and die set from Lowes (Irwin brand based on a review I saw from Project Farm) to rethread the hole. Btw, I didn't buy any cutting/tapping oil yet but let me know if that's needed as well. First question - is this the correct path? The tool arrives tomorrow but I'm also wondering if I should buy a thread repair kit instead ie where you drill out the hole and rethread with the appropriate size insert. If so, then which one would be best for this situation?

The picture shows what my threads look like. If anyone needs better angles, let me know. I appreciate any advice and thanks in advance!!

 

Buy a tap and die set and see if you can chase the threads. Looks pretty bad tho

 

You can try a tap.
If that doesn’t work, throw a Helicoil in it. It should be good to go.

 

I think you're on the right path. The threads look buggered, but fortunately the cat shield isn't bearing a lot of weight, so just enough thread to hold it in place is fine.

 

On questionable non critical threads. Throw some blue loctite on it and ride with it.

 

Also, if the tap doesn't work, and you have access to the back side, you could always drill it out and use a non-captive nut on the back.

 

Where is this exactly... on the crossmember support? The pictures are so zoomed in there's no context.

 

Looks like the factory frame brace/cat guard pipe.

 

Wow, that's a full send. Were you using an ugga dugga to get that bolt started???

 

Thanks, @Bertw192. That is where I f'd myself.

For anyone else, I'm flat on my back trying to get this part mounted. Needless to say, I don't have proper access underneath but read from others that it's doable. Even though the shield is bent to shape, I still had to use my elbow/off-hand to brace it against the frame just to get the threads to catch. << The driver side has less access as the exhaust runs by the spot I need to secure the shield.

Here are a few more pics of where my issue is.

 

A few more pics

 

This is an interesting idea. I'll have to check.

 

I've done it a few times on my BIL's rust bucket, where the sway bar captive nuts/bolts snapped off. Worked a charm.

 

Is there anything I should know when trying to rethread the hole i.e. should I get a tapping oil? This is what I ordered so far. https://www.lowes.com/pd/IRWIN-24-Piece-Tap-and-Die-Set/1003019162

 

@p0cketlint,

You've received several good ideas in this thread. Re-tapping the hole sounds like a good start since you've already purchased the die set.

If you've never tapped a hole then please attend you-tube university as you don't want to break the tap in the hole.. that'll be a bigger PITA. You can use whatever motor oil you have handy for tapping lubrication.

The other option of using a longer bolt with a nut on the back as @Bertw192 mentioned is another great option.

Another more expensive option (which requires an online order) would be to buy a serrated thread cutting screw of the correct size.. these are expensive as far as bolts go. They tap the threads as you screw them in place.

 

try to cut new threads first,
if don't work get a nut and bolt, lock washer that fits

 

You can spray some wd40 in there before hand. Just thread slowly and back the tap/die out a few times during the process so the metal shavings fall out. Helicoil's have saved me a few times.

edit: wear eye protection

 

Are you using vendor supplied bolts or putting the ones that came out of those holes back in? Asking because that looks like either tried to put the wrong pitch in there or a standard bolt. I do get that you said it was pulling against the bolt a little.
Id just go to the hardware store(take the bolts you took out w/ you) and get the automotive bolts, not just regular grade 5, the ones w/ the starter nipple on them and then just zap them in and out a few times w/ the impact then mount the plate.

 

Drill through and use a long bolt, some washers, and a nut.

 

Appreciate the input! I bought some cutting oil today after watching a few more how to videos. But if WD40 can work, I'll use what I have when the tap arrives.