Stripped the PM brake boss tread on my fork lower while hastily wrapping up a fork rebuild lat night..ok 3am.

While waiting for a buddy to get back with me, I figured I should probably try tapping a new steel tread insert myself since I'm halfway clicking the order button for a new lowers anyways. Good experience even if I screw up.

Questions:
To do it myself, what tap size, helicoil size would I need to buy and typically where could I get these? Not sure what the tpi is on the standard m6 bolt (5mm hex head) that goes in the brake boss but it's the standard 5mm hex head M6 bolt we all use on metric MTB stuff. What are the specs for the tap, driver and the helicoil itself?

Is there a place/store to just buy the tap and single helicoil and not the whole set?

Or, is there anyone in North County SD or Temecula (shop or cool dude) who's skilled in helicoiling, knows how to do it or a trusted mechanic at a LBS who could do this but not costing 1/2 the cost of a new lower?

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Department of Good Times

Yes, you can get just one size in a small blister pack. It comes with the tap and several helicoil inserts, sometimes includes the drill if it's not a standard size, but it will say the size on the pack. Check online and/or call Sears, Home Depot, Walmart, autoparts stores.

[I forget -- are you in Temecula? Hanks Hardware will have it there, but not open Sundays. Otherwise in North County see above]

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

Another option, Marshall's Industrial Hardware. If you take the bolt down there they will match it with everything you need and you'll be able to but one of everything.

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Looks like Bolo might be able to tap this for me.. redemption for the loose headset oversight

If not will try your guys' input. Where's Marshall

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Department of Good Times

+1 on Marshall's and they are right off Miramar Rd near the west end

Like Dan stated, the heli coils can come in the small kit with a couple of coils, tap, drill, or at least tell you what drill to use. Might check to see if its a bottom tap since you can go right through to the other side Not too hard to do at all and your more than handy for this job. Good luck

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You never know what tomorrow will bring so go ride your EBike today or walk your pooch
Fear the Yeti
"Go ride your bike today, don't let the old man in.."

Mike

Important point!

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

SIRI doesn't recognize bottom tap. What's that? So Sears or home depot/Lowes would have a kit? Pep boys? Miramar is too far.

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Department of Good Times

A bottom tap is for a blind hole application like this. It will be flat on the end, as opposed to a tapered point, which would hit bottom before cutting all the threads. You might have to get a kit and a bottoming tap separately. Haven't been to Marshall's, but it sounds like a place that would have it. Locally, try NAPA autoparts.

I just looked at a kit I have (sorry, not the size you need), and online, and it looks like they come with a bottoming tap, which makes sense, since it's it's usually a blind hole when you strip threads.

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

"Chase it with rice vinegar, the red blossom one." -Bolo

Thanks for the tips, B.
Pfft.. that was easy. Although I still would not trust it on crankarms.
Work went smoothly and even got to fully rebuild garvityaddict's Boxxer WC and enough time to sticker, I mean clean, his bike up. Thanks!


Next, wheelbuilding.

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Department of Good Times