I was installing a new brake line on my frame last night, and was tightening one of the bolts. I hadn't even started to snug it yet, and it popped back out at me and now just spins in the hole.

How can I fix this? Heli-coil? Some kind of insert?

This repair will have to be something that doesn't involve any welding and the like, since the frame has just been powdercoated and I don't want to ruin it.

I had the same problem, i put a nut on the screw inside the frame.it worked great tightened right up and you would never know it was stripped.

It's in a spot where I don't think I can get a nut on it.

how about a larger metal screw?

Look up a product called Riv-Nuts ... they're a rivet nut. See if that will work in your application.

Neal

There isn't that much pressure against the screw holding the line in place. Why don't you get some epoxy repair and fill the hole. When it hardens drill a pilot hole and put the screw in. If it's self tapping you can screw it right in.

i think the easiest thing to do is drill and tap to the next size up.( 5/16-3/8)

Thanks guys for all the suggestions:) . It gives me some options on how to deal with the problem.

If it's just a brake line clip, I'd think you could take a ball peen and knock it back in. When you strip the threads, it tends to pull the metal up, if you knock it back in, you'll be able to thread that in no problem.
Just don't go crazy with it, you'll strip it out easier next time.

For a low pressure application like this, take a piece of wire and bend it in a "U", insert one leg of it in the hole and run the bolt back in. The wire takes up some of the space in the hole.

Use a metric bolt. You should be able to find one a size up from what you are using but smaller then the next size SAE. Good luck

Nelson

I used the ball peen hammer method last night, worked like a charm. I place the ball end against the hole, holding it securely, then struck it several times with another hammer to ensure all the hits would be good and not beat the hell out of my frame if I should miss. Appears to have solved the problem.

Thanks again, guys, I appreciate all the responses.:)

That ball peen idea is a keeper. Never thought of that myself.

That ball peen idea is a keeper. Never thought of that myself.
LOL, when you've stripped as many threads as I have, you know ALL the tricks. :)

My philosophy is tighten it 'til it strips then back it off a quarter!