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Triumph TR6 - Screwed up (again)

Forgot that the aluminum alloy flywheel was not apt to take the torque values listed in Bentley's to install the pressure plate. Stripped one of 6 bolts; the other five took the 20# torque. So off to AutoZone for a helicoil kit. Of course the clerk had no idea what a helicoil was, asked for a part number or car application. Finally figured out that thread repair kit equaled helicoil. Puchased 5/16-18 and back to the shop. Drilled out the stripped hole and inserted helicoil. No problem. Then decided to also do the same to the bolt on the opposite side to insure "balance". Alas, the only other helicoil in the kit had already been used so back to the store to fight with the manager and get some more helicoils. Job accomplished. pressure plate installed and this time tightened only til good resistance felt, no more. So with that long story, here're the questions...did I do right? Should I have removed the flywheel and had a machine shop do the work. Was it a good idea to "balance" the flywheel by also doing the opposing bolt? Will this rotating mass hold together or have I set myself up for a hugh failure down the road? All comments/thoughts/opinions/etc. welcome. Thanks.
db
Doug Baker

Doug

First a disclaimer- This is only speculation. I am no expert but in thinking about it...

The bolts holding the pressure plate on the flywheel are subject to tension. A helicoil probably does not have the same strength as a virgin thread. But they are probably strong enough for this application.

As far as balance, I don't think the weight of the helicoil vs the virgin threads would make a significant difference so you probably didn't need to "balance off" the helicoil

I think the worst that will happen (if the threads do start to fail) is the pressure plate may start to separate from the flywheel as the threads wear or helicoils pull out until you can't release the clutch anymore. I don't think you will see a catastrophic failure. If the separation does happen then you may need to get a new flywheel or have a machine shop work the existing one.

For what it is worth.

Hope it goes well.
Michael Petryschuk

I'd double your insurance policy
DON KELLY

Hell Don, I don't have insurance. I can't drive the damn thing so why have insurance!! I assume that you too do not have insurance!!!
db
Doug Baker

Michael,
Guess I need to ask Dave at TRF what torque values those 5/16 bolts should have.
db
Doug Baker

I was talking life insurance ;)
DON KELLY

Oh, well, I'm insurance poor in that regard. Worth a hellvu lot more dead than alive, I'm afraid!
db
Doug Baker

You might want to keep that info on the QUIET,
if you no what I mean!
DON KELLY

Don...too late!@@ She already knows it and reminds me of that every time I climb a tree to prune limbs or go off hiking on the Mountain or canoeing or diving alone or any other activity w/a mite of risk associated.
Doug Baker

She's a devious one Doug
DON KELLY

Wait..."On the mountain"? You only have one back there???
Rod Nichols

There's a mountain in Alabama?
DON KELLY

Yeah, yeah, yeah, y'all never miss an opportunity. Madison County and Jackson County to our east even more so lay at the southern end of the Applachians and yes, while not as rugged nor as steep as the Rockies, we do have mountains and Little River Canyon near Ft. Payne AL is as rugged a piece of real estate as ever I've seen and keep in mind, I've lived in 7 states, 3 foreign countries (plus Texas) and visited all states but Montana and to date about 18 other countries so I've seen some geography and yes Rod, I've been to Idaho. Spent a long night beside a trout stream near Bear Lake once freezing by butt off.
Come to Alabama. The mountain roads make a great drive.
db
Doug Baker

This thread was discussed between 04/08/2010 and 05/08/2010

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