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MG MGB Technical - Repairing striped threads on rear brake adjuster

I have just removed one of the rear brake adjusters. The threads on the bolt with the cone-shaped brake shoe separator on one end is slightly stipped. I say slightly becasue it will thread in but then it slips back past the threads. Does someone have a simple fix for this or do I have to buy a new one. I know they are only about $35 but I have some many $35 items that I like to fix what I can instead of just replacing. Is this a situation for a "helicoil" or whatever they are called or maybe a little solder on the threads?
Tom

A helicoil may work, I wouldn't try anything else. I'm not sure there is enough thickness to drill the helicoil size hole. If you don't have a helicoil kit it will cast about the same as a new adjuster.
You should be able to find a used adjuster. If you post on The MGB Experience forum you may be able to find one there.
http://www.mgexperience.net/

Clifton
Clifton Gordon

It is interesting that you asked this question right now. About a week ago I was working on a swimming pool heater for my neighbor and they had stripped the main drain plugs/threads and to replace the part was going to cost $1,700 USD. After doing some research, I found something called "Stripped Thread Repair" made by Permatex. It is item #81668. I am very impressed as the stuffed worked great. You can even torque it up to 128 foot pounds and it will withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees F (148 C). You may want to check it out. The little kit cost $8.99 and is a two part mixture and is designed so that you can take the bolts in and out. It is for repairing the threads and is NOT for a one time installation, so this should work for your brake adjusted threads. I found it a local hardware store.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out.

Cheers,

Robert
Robert Browning

check out ebay item # 110124351229 for £6.95 (about $14) plus shipping. Quite a bit less than $35
Dave O'Neill 2

Tom - If the thread damage is on the bolt portion of the adjuster a Helicoil won't fix it, they are for female threads only. You might want to try one of the people who deal in second hand parts for a replacement. Two names that come to mind are Tony Barnhill and Chris Roop. I don't have e-mail addresses for them, but both of them regularly post on the MG Experience Forum at: http://www.mgexperience.net Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Tom - My mistake, Tony Barhill rarely posts on the MG Experience, but his web site is at: http://www.theautoist.com/ Chris Roop does post on the MG Experience. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

If the adjuster body is steel, you could run a nut down the threads of the pin, and weld it on, or better, remove adjuster, remove the cone, drill the threads out of the body, then weld a nut to the outside.
Martin Layton

The adjuster body is alloy.

The adjuster is similar to the Tri*mph TR6 - and presumably others - except that the mounting studs are offset on the Tri*mph version. You could use the centre bolt, though, if used Tri*mph parts are more plentiful in your area.
Dave O'Neill 2

Hey Tom and others:

I was a little shocked to see this thread on an item relating to brakes (even though the rear brakes do less of the stopping).

To me, an Ebay purchase of $14 or $15 or a $35.00 bill is not an expensive repair for something that is directly related to your health and that of your passengers and those in other cars.

If you repair it correctly once - it may be the last time you have to bother with it. I fear any other solution might have you coming back to repair it again in the near future.

I am sure Atlanta Imported Auto has one of those for 5 - 10 bucks

Good luck with your brakes - nice MG weather now.

Jeff
J Delk

The adjuster body is aluminum, and regularly corrodes, galls, strips due to lack of lubricant on assembly. The bolt is hardened steel and generally only suffers from aluminum from the body being stuck in it. Helicoil the hole 3/8-24. Put the bolt in Oven cleaner or other strong alkali to eat the aluminum off it, reassemble with Lubriplate or graphite grease - life and adjusting to it will be far easier and more reliable forever.

FRM
FR Millmore

This thread was discussed between 13/05/2007 and 14/05/2007

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