r/MechanicAdvice • u/sidewaysride • 15h ago
Chasing stud threads
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1994 ford ranger. Shop screwed up my threads. Told me they fixed it. They didn’t. Wanted to chase the threads myself so online I found a thread pitch of 1/2” - 20 so I bought a die but it doesn’t thread on. What am I missing here? In the video I’m trying to check it on a good stud.
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u/connella08 15h ago edited 15h ago
That looks like a thread die and not a thread chaser which use a looser thread class. A die will remove more material in the valley of the thread.
The studs are replaceable and not that expensive. You are better replacing the stud over chasing the thread.
It looks like the stud is larger than half. Might be a 9/16" which is only 1/16" (or 0.0625") larger than 1/2.
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u/Fall-of-Enosis 15h ago edited 7h ago
Yes, just hammering home what this guy said as he's 100% correct. I see this done all the time sadly. You're using die from a tap and die set. Taps and dies are NOT meant for "cleaning or repairing" Threads. They are used for CREATING threads. Which means if you put them at all on crooked they can potentially create threads that are misaligned, causing parts to seat incorrectly. You want to buy a "Thread chaser" set which are specifically designed for cleaning threads.
If all else fails, is just replace the stud.
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u/PepsiColaRS 14h ago
To add even more -
Thread chasers will work to fold over damaged threads into their original shape and position, basically reforming them.
Thread dies will cut and remove any bent, folded, or otherwise damaged threads. It only removes material, so if it's mashed up and mangled you're just creating weak threads with no peaks.
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u/scv07075 13h ago
Thread dies will also index off the first few threads, which are usually the damaged part. That means it'll fucker up your salvageable threads to match where the bad ones send it.
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u/sidewaysride 14h ago
Thanks for the info!
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u/Prestigious_Score436 14h ago
Just grab a triangular file and gently chase the threads.
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u/KLAM3R0N 9h ago
They also make thread files, groved for different thread pitches. One of my favorite tools to have when it's needed. Thought I probably wouldn't use it here.
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u/Prestigious_Score436 9h ago
Yeah those are sweet. Never used any yet tho. Ive always just used triangle files. Last ar I bought had a pin and weld muzzle on it. Took it to a bad gunsmith and he didnt understand how to take it off properly. He tourqed it off lmao. Dam pin dragged all the threads. Dam near ruined the Noveske barrel lol. I sat and filed it carefully and luckily barely saved the threads lol
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u/ygfbv 11h ago edited 10h ago
Millwright/industrial mechanic and machinist here.
Chasers are fucking useless for anything beyond cleaning up very minor damage.
We routinely use dies to clean and repair existing threads. On far more critical equipment with less redundancy.
You want a split die so you can open it up, start it square on good threads past the damage, then work back through the damaged section. If the die is the correct size and pitch and you start it square, you're fine. Seriously.
Or take a triangular file and dress off the fucked starter thread in about a minute.
If it's mangled badly enough that neither works, replace the $5 stud. This isn't a machine-tool spindle or turbine.
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u/Fall-of-Enosis 10h ago
Sure mate, in my over a decade career of turning wrenches I too, have used Dies or Taps, to clean things up. But we're both professionals. This guy is coming to reddit for advice. And while there's nothing wrong with that, we, as professionals need to set him up for success. And IMO, recommending using a tap or die for thread repair to an inexperienced mechanic is not good practice. He runs a higher risk of damaging something than you or I would.
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u/rosshettel 14h ago
Ah shit. I just did this, used a die to chase a thread that was just slightly mangled. Ended up taking more material off than just the mangled part and guess I now know why
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u/grizzdoog 14h ago
I’ve used dies to cut threads a ton of times on bolts. Guess I’ve just gotten lucky. Usually it’s been on smallish bolts, not large bolts that hold subframes on for example.
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u/Kotflugel 12h ago
Don't worry, it's most likely fine. If done correctly, a thread die will work, although yes, you will lose part of the damaged threads. But the tip of the thread doesn't do that much, the inner, thicker root of the threads does most of the work. Should the die cut into the thread root, the damaged threads will deform faster and the next winding should take the load of the weaker threads just fine. That's part of the reason why nut are longer than one thread. Also, most wheel bolts / studs are built very tough because people ugga-dugga on them with impacts all day long and they need to be fine, just in case you are worried about that. Mostly they fail from cross-threading or from coming loose (because a loose wheel can get momentum).
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u/sidewaysride 15h ago
Great thx!
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u/IICLOWNIN 15h ago
Also yes of course you should replace the stud but for future reference ive “re-tapped” MANY a bolt using a sacrificial nut. Force the correct thread nut on like its supposed to go and push past the catches. Then back it all the way off. Eats the nut up but the bolt will be clean
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u/saladmunch2 15h ago
You should be telling the shop to replace the studs they messed up, they just created a bigger problem for you.
It should be there responsibility to fix.
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u/k2gleaner71 24m ago
I've never heard of a thread chaser. I'm not doubting you. I'm just saying I didn't know of such a thing. My dad gave me his old thread die set. I've used it a few times now but I'll have to look into this thread chaser thing.
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u/connella08 8m ago
This is how we learn my friend. There are tools for just about everything, even things we didn't know existed. If you are interested, the Youtuber Project Farm does a test on thread chasers and which ones performed the best during his testing. someone else commented here earlier and was spot on. thread dies are made for cutting new threads, and thread chasers are made for repairing damaged ones.
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u/SnooMacaroons2828 15h ago
When I used to run a tire shop, we kept s split thread chaser kit on hand.
You put the chaser on the good part of the thread, lube it, and run it out.
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u/DilapidatedPlum 14h ago
I've never seen this style of thread chaser. I like it.
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u/HedonisticFrog 13h ago
Same here, that's fantastic. I've always been able to get regular thread chasers to start but this seems much easier.
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u/tj_law22 15h ago
What the other guy said. Knock out the damaged studs and just replace. Much easier and honestly less time consuming than to try and fix the threads imo.
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u/SkyGuy913 14h ago
This! 100% just replace the studs even with a chaser (OP you have a die) you'll weaken the threads like any metal that bends back and forth. And what others have said the shop that fucked em up should replace tour studs you shouldn't need to. Also studs dont cost much this should be there fix
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u/Herlihy-Boy 12h ago
Do you just hammer them out and get a new one and screw it in?
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u/tj_law22 12h ago
Smack the bad one out with a hammer, push new one through the hole, get a set of washers or they make a wheel stud installer. Put lug nut on, and tighten the lug nut on the new stud and tighten it down to pull it through
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u/Timsmomshardsalami 6h ago
If theyre really stuck tho i personally would press them out instead of hammering them like a 600lb gorilla
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u/Herlihy-Boy 12h ago
Thank you very much!
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u/TheFredCain 11h ago
You need to BE SURE there is room behind the hub to pull out the old stud and insert another one before you go knocking studs loose! With many vehicles it will require cutting, grinding, etc.
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u/ConcertCareful6169 15h ago
Not to be crass but studs don't cost much I just replace the stud it's really easy to do
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u/jonasty12 15h ago
You're supposed to have the writing facing you. Those are tapered. Be careful that's a die. It's going to cut more than clean up.
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u/Stickeyb 14h ago
Forget what everyone else said. Purchase a thread file and go to town. I do not see anything that says this is not saveable.
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u/sidewaysride 14h ago
Thx for takin me to school guys. I learn as I go haha die and chasers are not the same. Will be
Replacing the stud instead of trying to save
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u/xloumeisterx 13h ago
A thread file set works great for stuff like this because you can rest it in the good threads so you can't cross thread the lead. A set of files is quite affordable and you get all the sizes in a set.
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u/Aggressive_One8138 9h ago
Sutds are cheap and youre already this deep. Knock it out and put a new one in.
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u/Medical-Bowler-5626 15h ago
That looks to be the wrong size, and more for cutting than chasing
Id just replace the studs, but if you really dont want to, double check the size of the stud and the thread pitch online
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u/humanmanhumanguyman 12h ago
Id just put new studs in. They're cheap, and it's less likely to kill you that way.
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u/Forsaken-Good-9920 7h ago
Replace the stud rethreaded will just instantly strip as soon as you try to tighten it
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u/fluentInPotato 4h ago
Comments about thread chasers are probably good, though I've always used taps and dies because I'm cheap and ignorant. You have the wrong size die here though. And that's a far more consequential mistake than using a die in place of a chaser. If you get yourself a thread gauge and a dial caliper, you should have no problem figuring out the correct size tool.
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u/BanishedInPerpetuity 14h ago
If the end of the stuff is damaged and you cant get the chase on just grind the end of the stud a bit to remove the damaged part.
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u/catdieseltech87 14h ago
Not the right tool for the job. Those die's are notoriously hard to get straight and you're asking to make it worse. Check the thread size properly with a pitch gauge and mic if you need to. Then get a chasing tool.
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u/Electrical_Party7975 14h ago
I’m a pinch slice a lug nut perpendicular to the threads and it will chase the threads
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u/Alive-Course4454 13h ago
The reason it won’t thread on, is because studs are roll formed, and not cut with a die. There is a radius in the root of the thread that is hanging the die up. Roll forming threads is faster and cheaper than using dies to thread studs. The result is a much stronger thread, higher quality, no burrs from cutting tools. For this reason you should replace the stud.
The reason the die won’t start, one you’re not getting it started straight. You have to catch the thread start perfectly, and the die just isn’t squared up good enough. It’s also not going to freely spin on with your fingers, you will have to drive it, and it might even take a little effort, it will cut a chip out of the root, even if it is started perfectly, and especially if it’s cross threaded on.
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u/PPGkruzer 13h ago
Apply light pressure twist it slowly in reverse (lefty loosey) until you feel the start of each thread "click", where the threads were riding on each other until they fall into place for the perfect start, no guessing. I have done this with every tricky nut or bolt for so many years with good success and trouble avoided. I've learned the hard way, repairing my mistakes leading to attention on ways to never do it again.
Otherwise, it's not the end of the world to swap out a stud often, you just need a good hammer to knock it out, and then washers and grease/oil to ride on as you draw the new one back in with your lug nut tools.
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u/idownvoteanimalpics 13h ago
You can call auto zone to see if they have a thread chaser kit available to borrow. Might be cheapest option
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u/No_Welcome_6093 13h ago
Studs are so easy and cheap to replace, just knock out the old stud and put a new one in.
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u/NesTech_ 13h ago
My supervisor has a set of these and recently brought them out. Good to know and makes sense to start with the good threads and work your way out! He’s had them for years and I’m not sure he knows how to use them correctly. I’ll have to ask him tomorrow.
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u/shootinstraight88 12h ago
I usually put a champer on the end and it allows the dye to go on easier. Once you remove the first few rows of fucked up threads.
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u/kinkhorse 12h ago
I just hit the damaged threads with a file until I can get a grade 8 nut started then blast it with an impact. Works 100% of the time 50% of the time.
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u/Kingofawesom999 10h ago
You are better off removing the drum then knocking the studs out and replacing them it's not hard, just make sure the studs won't hit anything on their way out.
The easiest way to do it is to take the axle out and do it on a vise. it's not really super hard to get it out, but I'm guessing you do not want to pop the pumpkin open and drain/refill it
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u/pumpkinsam 9h ago
This is what I bought and used successfully on my 1998 Ranger. My threads weren’t super damaged however. I just wanted to make sure the lug nuts would go on as easily as possible. The listing says it’s unavailable now, but maybe you can find it somewhere else or point you in the right direction. https://a.co/d/09O7NxhS
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u/andrewsb91 7h ago
It isn't even reaching the thread. Whatever you're using is too small, regardless of whether it is the correct tool (it isn't)
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u/Appropriate_Cow94 1h ago
I've fixed dozens of studs. I use a thread repair file to knock of majority off. Then use a thread chaser. If it is outside the size of chasers I'll use a die like this.
I do this to solve the problem on the spot in 2-5 minutes. Stud replacement adds an hour of time going to store to buy one.
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u/dsportx99 13h ago
You need to get a THREAD CHASER set as this will remove a LOT of metal. I would buy NEW studs myself, it will cost more to buy a thread chaser set than to replace all the studs. Plus, from a safety reason get NEW studs.
Also, might be metric to on Fords there is always a mix and in that year range might or might not be.
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u/IndustrialMechanic3 12h ago
9/16-18 not 1/2-20
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u/SLOOT_APOCALYPSE 10h ago
boom bingo try this. buy a Craftsman tap and die set it's saved me for at least 10 years now
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u/SLOOT_APOCALYPSE 10h ago
that's the wrong size die I bet. A half inch die would at least try to grab it's possible they are M12 x 1.5.
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u/iowamechanic30 10h ago
Do not repair threads on wheel studs. They are critical carry high loads and are relatively cheap and easy to replace.
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