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Stripped Threaded Plastic Holes

Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 8:22 am
by bscotti
It's all happened to us ... Oh I'll just snug up all these screws before my next run ... oops ...

Are there any repairs that work? With many of our parts nla or nearly impossible to replace like a TPS trans, what's a vintage guy to do? Has anyone tried a helicoil?

Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:14 am
by Eau Rouge
4-40 helicoils are available, but many areas of these things don't have enough meat to insert a helicoil. If it does, it's an option.

The simple and quick fix is a drop of CA into the stripped hole, let it set up a tick, then thread the screw into the proper depth. Then try to remember for next time that there are few, if any, threads in an R/C car that can take torque of over tightening. If its a metal to metal connection, and you don't want it to fall out, use blue or purple Loctite thread locker. ;) If it is a machine screw into nylon or graphite, you won't need anything extra, just snug the screw up and leave it—it won't fall out ever.

Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:32 am
by MelvinsArmy
Yep, CA for plastic and nylon. We did that all the time back when I raced.

Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:34 am
by bscotti
Thanks guys. Nice simple solution.