Stripped Brake Bracket Holes

[Sheldon S.]

I am looking for some suggestions on how to fix the stripped holes that hold the emegency cable bracket to the rear frame cross member. I have already painted the frame and then discovered these two holes are stripped just enough that the bracket wont tighten up. Really hate to weld and re drill but maybe that is my only option. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanbks
Sheldon

[Bill C.]

Re: Stripped Brake Bracket Holes

Sheldon,

There is a tool that body shops use to put permanent inserts into the frame. They are not welded, but sorta "pop rivited" in place ....

You can paint over the insert (which sits flat against the frame) - should be not even noticable (bracket will cover it).

[Michael F.]

Re: Stripped Brake Bracket Holes

Wouldn't a Heli coil work? Or replace the mount. They aren't very expensive.

[Graeme B.]

Re: Stripped Brake Bracket Holes

Yes Bill is correct, Riv-nuts as I know them. You drill the hole out slightly and rivet in this insert like a pop-rivet is installed and your done. They come in Ally or Steel.
Cheers, Graeme.

[Steve L.]

Re: Stripped Brake Bracket Holes

Riv-nuts are the solution. But the riv-nuts come pre-threaded for machine screws. The correct bolts are self threading so the threads will not match.
You will need to figure out what machined thread and correct bolt dia will match to get enough bit. You should try this out before you put the riv-nut into the x member. Once your happy with the amount of bit, throw that riv-nut out since your machined threads will be mangled. The riv-nut tool needs to thread into the riv-nut using the machined thread prior to installation.

Also, aluminum riv-nuts are easier to install and will have enough holding capacity but aluminum against steel is a corrosion disaster. The aluminum rivets used throughout the body is an engineering crime. Some of those rivets, in particular the ones that were exposed to the elements, were nothing but white powder from corrosion on my 73. The #3 rear x-member is heavily exposed. If you use the aluminum riv-nut, scuff the outside surface and paint it in an effort to electrically isolate the rivet from the steel x-member.

[Steve L.]

Re: Stripped Brake Bracket Holes

Actually thinking about it some more, if you have a welder, I think it would be a lot easier just to tack on two small spots on the hole edge with a welder and your done. You probably burn off an inch of paint around the weld. I think this would be a lot easier than messing around with a riv-nut.

I actually have the same problem but with one fuel line clip on the kick up. This is a trivial item when doing a full frame restoration. I'll be putting on 2 tack welds which shouldn't take more than a few minutes and replacing the paint.