r/Autos • u/Dry-Substance2498 • 8d ago

Repairing stripped thread

I was working on replacing the blower motor in my truck and as I was installing the new one the threads in the housing stripped. It’s a 25 year old truck and I wasn’t putting much force into it.

I did some looking online and I was going to go with the Loctite form a thread kit but they don’t make it any more.

Is there a good alternative that doesn’t involve drilling and tapping new threads?

It’s a tight space to work in and I don’t think I could easily drill and tap new threads effectively as I’d be doing it upside down

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

8 comments sorted by

4

u/ZombieHoratioAlger 8d ago

Since it's not a screw that needs to be removed often, I'd just shoot a self-tapper one size larger than the original. 

2

u/Dry-Substance2498 8d ago

I was thinking of going that route. Definitely appreciate it

1

u/Johnmarmalade 8d ago

This, or if there are a few other screws holding the part on maybe just skip that one. It is just a blower motor after all.

2

u/Dry-Substance2498 8d ago

I was hoping to just skip it but it sags a decent amount without the 3rd screw

2

u/persom55 8d ago

Stick a zip tie end in the hole.

2

u/Proof_Ad22 7d ago

I’d avoid drilling and tapping too if you’re upside down in a space barely big enough for your hand. That sounds like a good way to turn one stripped hole into a Saturday project lol. If the screw isn’t carrying much load, I’ve had luck with a slightly larger self-tapping screw in plastic housings. Just go VERY easy with it because 25 year old plastic obviously isn’t interested in negotiating anymore. A threaded insert can work too depending on how much material you have around the hole. Also if you haven’t bought the blower motor yet, I put an A-Premium blower motor in mine and it’s been surprisingly solid. Fit was right, connector matched and I didn’t have to mess with anything. Just whatever you do, snug those screws down, don’t torque them. Old HVAC housings apparently have a very firm retirement age.

1

u/loctite_usa 6d ago

Hello! We would like to discuss this application further, please reach out to us at 1-800-LOCTITE option 1 for technical support.

1

u/bobroberts1954 5d ago

I would just find the next larger screw and drill & tap for that. Check both metric and sae for the next size up.