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Stripped lug in drum

Posted: March 30th, 2009, 8:52 pm
by pillowmeto
Over the weekend I stripped the lug threads in a new front german drum while torquing to 74 ft/lbs. Has anyone fixed this by installing a threaded insert (e.g. Helicoil), and if so did you have any problems with it?

-Matt

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: March 30th, 2009, 10:01 pm
by smsazzy
I recommend only tightening to 65ft/lbs. I would not go over 70 for future reference.

I have not ever had to helicoil a drum, but if I did, I would likely replace it. I would expect the process to warp the drum.

Don't take my word for it though, I am sure there are plenty of people who have done it before.

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: March 30th, 2009, 11:07 pm
by FV80
Matt,
The "proper" way to fix that problem is to go find some 14mm lug bolts from the later model drums. The 'standard' ones are 12 MM and the stripped out hole is just about right for a 14mm tap. In a pinch you can do just one, but I generally go ahead and do them all so I get some semblance of 'balance' (such as it is) back on the drum. It also means that, when you're in a hurry, you don't have to figure out WHICH hole has the different size lug :mrgreen:. Of course, you'll need a 14 mm TAP for that too - NAPA should have it.

You can either get the lug bolts from your local VW junkyard or order them from someone like CIP1.com ... of course RaceCarSupply *MIGHT* stock those as well.
Steve

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: March 31st, 2009, 9:51 am
by Ed Womer
Heilacoils are fine and I used them on front drums for many years until the drum was to worn. The only problem is they will start to back out of the hole and you will need to replace them. I started to use locktight to stop them from moving.

Check you torque wrench since it might be off and that is why they stripped, which was my original problem. Also I only torque to 65lbs.

I repalced my worn drums with ones with parts from my local VW shop and they were Mexican and I like them since the hole to adjust the brakes is very large and makes it easy.

Ed

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: March 31st, 2009, 1:15 pm
by brian
Heli coils are available but the kit will cost nearly $90. Upgrading to larger studs sounds like the hot set up.

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: March 31st, 2009, 3:34 pm
by VDF1
I had helicoils installed in my drums at a local automotive machine shop for about $10 each because they had the kit so I just bought the threads and paid for the drilling and inserting.

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: April 1st, 2009, 9:35 pm
by problemchild
I used helicoils for years. I would consider it a proper fix and preferable to big ugly newer wheelnuts.

They did work out occasionally .... because the hole was so shallow, they did not really dig in and anchor .... but it was easily fixed and once aware of the tendancy, rarely re-occurred.

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: April 3rd, 2009, 9:30 pm
by jpetillo
Ed Womer wrote:Check you torque wrench since it might be off and that is why they stripped, which was my original problem. Also I only torque to 65lbs.
Yes, always a good thing to check.

Another thing, when you use a clicker torque wrench, throughtout the weekend as you check your lugs nuts each time the "click" will nudge it a little bit more when it hits the stop and you end up with them very tight after many times. When you let the wrench click you should feel for it and not let it hit the stop hard.

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: June 27th, 2009, 10:03 pm
by sharplikestump
I don't believe we ever need more than 65 #s torque. In fact, when I raced in the rain, I dropped this closer to 55#s, as the rain acted as a lubricant. The proof if this is that when you went to remove the lugs after things dried, it took conciderably more torque than what you used installing them.
The other thing is that few of us check the threads on the lugbolts. Due to the number of cycles that we torque them, along with the high torque value that some of us use, we start moving the threads on (off) the bolt. Check em, and many of us will find that the treads start looking like a saw blade. Using a bolt like this gradually destroys the drum threads.
Also, heli coils should not back out if you make them short enough and install them at least 1/2 rev below the face of the drum. Same goes for the sparkplug hole. Don't worry about giving up that 1/2" of thread, as the holding power of the heli-coil is several times that of a new drum.

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: June 28th, 2009, 12:25 pm
by Bill Carroll
My experince with helicoils on many applications, including aircraft is very postive, when installed correctly (proper drill, tap and use lock tight) they are better than the origional thread and will not warp the drum. Same reason we install inserts in the case for our cylindar head studs, mechanical advantage over stock part. I use my old trusty bar torque wrench to 55# and I run 150+ miles per weekend, I haven't found one "loose" yet (I do not have helicoils). I do check the torque several times each day and the only time I think I see them move is the after first run after changing wheels I am not saying that I know more than the others here, I just know what I am seeing with ammount of time each weekend. Rain causes rust, lubrication such as WD40 or antisieze will give you a tighter lugs with the same torque. A FV manual I read says to torque the wheels to 55-65 but never more, (the drums are soft).

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: June 28th, 2009, 9:00 pm
by DanRemmers
sharplikestump wrote:In fact, when I raced in the rain, I dropped this closer to 55#s, as the rain acted as a lubricant. The proof if this is that when you went to remove the lugs after things dried, it took conciderably more torque than what you used installing them.
Could that be caused by rust forming on the wheel, lugnut, and threads?

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: July 1st, 2009, 4:16 pm
by sharplikestump
Dan (and others),
Refer to Bill C's comment as to what happens when you spray the bolts with WD40 or use anti-sieze compound. It is no different than lubing/not lubing rod or head bolts. You get a higher degree of tension with the same torque. Granted, water may not be as lubrious as oil, but it does lubricate to a degree in this case.

Re: Stripped lug in drum

Posted: August 19th, 2013, 11:07 am
by wroché29
Hi guys!

"standard" "stock lug threads: 12M x 1.75?? or something else?

Thanks