2013 4.0L Auto – Trans Drain Bolt Stripped/Spinning

So I took the pan off yesterday cleaned the filter, new o-ring/gasket, 5qrts new fluid. In the process that 29ft-lbs torque spec on the drain bolt stripped my threads and now the bolt is spinning (I even used a torque wrench!?!?!)

My big issue is that I’m trying to go to MOAB on Friday… I’ve RTV’d around the washer on the pan prior to putting fluid it as the bolt is tight and not wanting to come out. I’m worried that the drain bolt has the potential to fall out on drain/ruin my trans (is this even possible??).


Sounds like I have 3 options

1 - New Pan (shipping times and expense make this hard with my upcoming trip)

2 – Junk Yard pan locally (I run the risk of getting a damaged pan/pre-stripped bolts)

3 – Heli-coil in new threads. Is this even possible? Reading the threads it sounds like these bolts have sleeved threads?


What would you do? Rock the ghetto RTV bolt for the trip or seek alternatives?


Thanks!!!

 

Possible short term solution. Drop the pan, replace the bolt with the same diameter & thread pitch but longer length to accept a nylock style nut on the inside. Maybe even add a fiber washer on both sides for a better seal.

Tighten it all up to make a good seal. Replace pan after trip.

Edit: Or drop the pan & have a correct size nut welded to the pan on inside.

 

I like the suggestion by @mtip .

Torquing a drain bolt that is lubricated you always have to reduce the rated value. The rated torque value is for a dry installation. I never use a torque wrench on a drain bolt and haven't for 55 years and never stripped a bolt or pan.

Tighten the drain bolt by hand until it touches the pan then snug it down on the gasket or tighten onto the crush washer until you feel it crush.

IMO 29 ft-lbs is excessive regardless for an oil / transmission pan of any type.

 

Thanks for the quick input you guys! Super appreciated.

This is my inner lazy guy speaking but, is there even a possibility that that nut could even fall out and drain AS-IS? The thing isn't leaking and I couldn't get it out even when unscrewing and prying on the back of the bolt with a screw-driver. Sounds like the threads are maybe an inserted sleeve in the pan that's likely spinning as a whole. I'm kinda thinking that this sleeve (if there is one.. just some verbiage I found in the threads) might be impossible to fall out once stripped. Not sure though, hoping someone has experience with this haha

I totally agree with you Jimmyh, I tightened that drain bolt with a torque wrench with the pan off the car with the threads dry and it still stripped!

 

Drill it out larger and retap it.

 

It will not fall out. I stripped mine and drove it while waiting on a new pan to arrive. It never leaked a drop either.
Good luck trying to get the bolt out as I gave up and just junked the old pan.

 

Thanks so much for sharing, definitely inspires some confidence to drive it as is. I plan to order a new pan now and probably replace it in a month or two to slowly 'flush' out my old trans fluid.

If anyone feels like I'm putting myself at major risk by doing this feel free to let me know! lol

Thanks for the input! Considering that tap kit is $40 from Home Depot and and Rock auto sells a new pan for $75 I'll be going with the new pan unless I decide that driving it as is is super sketchy for my big road trip

 

For now, do you have a torch and some silver solder? Clean it well, flux it and solder it from the inside. put the new pan on when you return.

 

Based on Rob MacRuger’s experience, I’m gonna rock the spinning RTV’d bolt for my trip to Utah and make some prayers to the Toyota gods as I wait for a new pan.

That is a great idea though. I wish I had of thought of it yesterday after I new I’d stripped it

 

I see you're in MT. If you want to make a trip to Butte, I have a spare trans pan sitting around. It has been minorly dented in the center, but it should seal up fine. I've just been holding onto it as a spare. PM me if you want to come grab it

 

It's what I did. There's enough material to go to

$13 M12x1.25 mm Self-Locking Nylon Insert Hex Lock Nuts, Pack of 6

M12x1.25. Use a 27/64 drill.

 

I pick option 1, a new pan might be costly, but it gives you piece of mind.