Well, the coil is out, but it wasn't easy and it wasn't pretty. It didn't
unscrew so much as unravel. In pieces. (I tried one of my Easyouts to start,
but the hole isn't deep enough to allow any of the threads on even my largest
one to grab anything.) Gabbing an end with a needle nose and unscrewing
resulted in it coming out in about three pieces. It never unscrewed - the
pliers just made it small enough to pull out a piece without severely damaging
the threads.
So, now I am on to the next problem: replacing it. I am off to NAPA to buy a
replacement, but I don't expect this to be a walk in the park either. I know
now why the original failed. The thread hole is slightly enlarged around the
outside edge of the coil, meaning the threads are only holding on the bottom.
I think that lead to the damage that was preventing me from screwing the stud
in and my struggles with the pliers only made it worse. To compound the
problem, depth of the thread is limited by a head bolt that goes right through
the hole, so I won't be able to use a punch to remove the tang on the coil.
Right now I am thinking of screwing the coil in and leaving the tang; it can't
be snapped off by the stud as the head bolt will stop it from moving. I am
also thinking about packing the flared outside end with a little JB Weld. It
don't expect that to add any real strength, but it might prevent the new coil
from unraveling the next time around.
At least, that is what I am thinking at the moment, but would appreciate any
thoughts or opinions.
Jim
> From: jandkstone99@msn.com
> To: bk13@earthlink.net; shop-talk@autox.team.net
> Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:11:19 -0600
> Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Replacing a damaged helicoil
>
> Thanks guys. I'll give it a try tomorrow and report back.
>
> > Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2011 19:02:00 -0800
> > From: bk13@earthlink.net
> > To: shop-talk@autox.team.net
> > Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Replacing a damaged helicoil
> >
> > I second this approach. Use a dental pick type tool to lift the top end
> > out enough to grab with a needle nose pliers and it should unscrew.
> >
> > Brian
> >
> > On 2/25/2011 6:18 PM, Eric J Russell wrote:
> > > I have been able to remove them that way - if you can grab the *top*
> > > coil and twist it tighter so it releases its grip on the piece it is
> > > in, you can unwind/remove it.
> > >
> > > Eric Russell
> > > Mebane, NC
> > > http://home.mebtel.net/~ejrussell
> > > ----- Original Message ----- Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Replacing a
> > > damaged helicoil
> > >
> > >
> > >>> Bend the end of the coil more and unscrew
> > >>> it with a needle nose pliers?
> > >>
> > >> That has worked for me in the past, but as Pat said it needs to be
> > >> the top
> > >> of the Helicoil (so it tends to shrink while you unscrew it). IMO
> > >> anything
> > >> that tends to spread it (like an easy-out) will just lock it in place
> > >> tighter.
> > >>
> > >> -- Randall
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