When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Does anyone happen know what the thread size and pitch for the Number 1 idler pulley bolt aka timing belt tensioner pulley bolt is? FWIW, it uses a 10mm hex
Approx 90k ago, it appears the Lexus "tech" cross threaded and rammed this bolt through to secure it...perhaps with an impact. The threads are damaged on the case and will need the size to get the right helicoil insert.
Are you going to confront the dealership? That won’t admit they did it but it will give you (well I should say it would give me) some satisfaction knowing their incompetence did not go unnoticed. This is so typical of the crap they do on a regular basis. Unless you carefully inspect (which in some cases means completely re-doing the job) their work, you do not discover their shoddy mess until it is too late.
That basically makes your query no merit. You drill out old threads to smooth walls and re tap them. Hence, you basically install new threads. You can go to any hardware store, to nuts and bolts, and they will have handy dandy plate with pre cut threaded holes. Just match yours.
Of course, first you will need to clean all the aluminum shards off the threads.
Are you going to confront the dealership? That won’t admit they did it but it will give you (well I should say it would give me) some satisfaction knowing their incompetence did not go unnoticed. This is so typical of the crap they do on a regular basis. Unless you carefully inspect (which in some cases means completely re-doing the job) their work, you do not discover their shoddy mess until it is too late.
I'm definitely going to confront them. I don't expect much because its going to be a he said she said thing with the service manager who may not have been working there and the mechanic long gone. I fault these inexperienced "techs" who use power tools when not needed and also try to speed through jobs for the sake of beating the book time in order to bill and move on to the next customer. If they can give me a discount on parts or future service, that would be great..but I don't expect anything. For now, i'm just concentrating on getting this timing belt job done.
It's very hot here, So i have time. You are welcome.
You drill the existing threads out to smooth wall and re tap them to helicoil OUTER diameter. You use tap provided with kit or use your own, I have entire set of them.
You need to determine what size of helicoil to buy, hence, you need to know your bolt thread size and pitch.
To determine that, you go to any hardware store, where they sell nuts and bolts. Around here, best are Ace hardware, now Johnson's. For weird bolts and nuts, to McLendon's.
They have pre tapped plates with various SAE and metric holes. Or, nuts mounted into plastic plates. You clean old threads residue off your bolt threads, to have clean threads, and try your bolt in one of them holes, until you find a matching one.
That determines what size INNER diameter and pitch helicoil you buy. So that inner diameter/pitch matches your bolt.
You place helicoil into pre tapped for it threads and place your bolt into the helicoil. Reason I said asking here has no merit is because it's easy trip to a hardware store to have question answered. Unless that car is somewhere out in Alaska wilderness and none available.
I actually worked for 6 years as tool and die maker. If it were to help with qualifications. Broken bolts and die guides were daily repairs.