Damaged threads while installing cat shield

Heli-coil is easy to do and is stronger than the original threads. I have done it a number of times over the years.

Watch a couple YouTube videos.

 

you got this. Just go slow, make sure you have the correct angle into the hole. spray, thread in thread out, spray and repeat.

Just remember its already screwed up, how much worse can it get LOL

 

That whole cross bar is replaceable if you feel the need

 

Just make sure never look back to the bolts that were removed from them.

 

I am. The factory bolt has a narrower tip so think I came in at an angle before I realized.

 

Haha! Appreciate the encouragement. Hopefully, things go well this weekend and I'll have some improved pics to share.

 

Great tips above from other members. From time to time I have to remove my MillerCat shield to get access. I drive the passenger side tires up on my curb in front of my house to get more clearance. I don’t have ramps and feel secure having all 4 tires touching the ground.

My floor jack comes in handy because I use it to hold my shield in place (with a rag on the bowl) as I start threading my bolts.

 

This is great access advice. One I often forget when I'm out on a trail by replacing the curb with a rock.

The only thing I can add is to clear up the verbiage on how to use a "tap":
Make sure the tap is perpendicular to the surface of the metal, directly in-line with the intended hole.
Turn tap clockwise until you feel resistance and then another half turn, turn tap a quarter turn counterclockwise and repeat. Half turn in and a quarter turn out until you have the tap in the metal and there is no real resistance. The use of a lubricant in your case is not necessary as you are only reforming the threads and not cutting a bunch of metal, but it can't hurt. That is pretty much how to tap a hole keeping the tap in line with the intended hole.

I don't think you will have any problems.

 

SUCCESS!

Thanks to everyone for their excellent advice! Using the Irwin tap, I was able to fix the threads on the truck. Watching enough videos and taking the many how to tap directions in mind, I successfully cleaned up my mistake. Luckily I didn't have to drill out the hole and use a repair insert or a nut/bolt solution. Feeling good it's still the 'stock hardware'.

Parts I used:
- Ramp to give more clearance under the front wheels
- WD40 as my cutting oil hadn't arrived
- Irwin metric tap set (specifically the M8 1.25 thread pitch tap)
- Covid face shield my wife had an extra of << This was awesome btw. It kept the lil pieces of metal out of my eyes.
- The truck's jack to hold the cat shield in position while I carefully threaded the bolts
- Torque wrench just to make sure I hit 14 ft-lbs on security and frame bolts

Special thanks to @Bertw192, @auskip07, @MGMDesertTaco, @Gen3TacomaOBX, @TA2016, and @Toycoma2021 for the extra guidance and support.

 

Glad to hear.

 

Good work!

Welcome to the fun world of mods and fixing your mistakes.

 

Red loctite the original bolt and send it with an impact gun, then walk away. Return tap set to Lowe’s and buy some whisky.

 

Haha!