Thread: Transmissoin pan bolt stripped

So i was putting the pan back on my car and on the 3rd bolt it stripped out (when i looked at the bolt i noticed it was stripped on the bottom of the transmission itself). I put in all the other bolts and torqued accordingly, just that one bolt is in snug. How should i go about fixing this problem?

Tap it out and put in a helicoil? That's my only idea.

yep, helicoil would be the way to go. I bought a kit when I thought I stripped a bolt, but it turned out the bolt just broke.

^ sounds like a good start to me ^

Or you could use a tap and take it to the next size up. Thats what I did when the studs for the Throttle body stripped out. I took those suckers to 1/4-20. I cant imagine why you would use such a fine thread to begin with in aluminum.

Thanx guys,
any idea on what size helicoil and tap i would need?

M6 x 1.0. Not sure what size drill bit and tap they spec for that, though.

1/4-20 is the next step up in standard sizes and that calls for a 3/16" drill bit if I recall correctly, so for the M6 x 1.0 I would say 5/32. I believe the actual drill bit size is 5mm for M6 x 1.0 but I cant think off the top of my head what standard size that is closer to.

Originally Posted by SyntheticShield

1/4-20 is the next step up in standard sizes and that calls for a 3/16" drill bit if I recall correctly, so for the M6 x 1.0 I would say 5/32. I believe the actual drill bit size is 5mm for M6 x 1.0 but I cant think off the top of my head what standard size that is closer to.

I bought a tap set with bits and picked up some bolts. Now the only thing im wondering is where i can find aluminum bolts.

Originally Posted by 99prixgt

I bought a tap set with bits and picked up some bolts. Now the only thing im wondering is where i can find aluminum bolts.

Why do they have to aluminum. Just go to a hardware store and have them match the size and thread pitch. If one is too long, cut it down and debur the end.

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

Why do they have to aluminum. Just go to a hardware store and have them match the size and thread pitch. If one is too long, cut it down and debur the end.

Isnt the pan aluminum? If i mix metals, over time it would promote corrosion.

Look at it this way. You have bolts that go through your LIM (aluminum) straight in to your heads (iron). The bolts can't be both. See any excessive corrosion?

If you're worried about it, GM sells the OEM bolts for a couple of bucks.

Originally Posted by Scimmia

If you're worried about it, GM sells the OEM bolts for a couple of bucks.

I'd just as soon go by the hardware store and get a Grade 8 stainless bolt. Probably cheaper than GM would charge anyway.

OReillys sells the pan bolts too. I've had to buy them before...

I would need the next size up since the hole is stripped out, right?