Martin Bagnall Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 Long story but just imported our 110 Puma (2016) and the importer took off the factory fitted tow-bar. During the process they have stripped the M16 threads (lower 2 holes) in the crossmember. What repair options should i look at? Is it a full backing plate can i get the holes re-drilled and tapped? or are they captured nuts? There aren't any peep holes to look in from the front or bottom. Thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 They’re captive welded nuts inside the crossmember, so you’re possible looking at cutting it open to fit new ones. Are the bolts out or are they stuck in there still? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 If you can get them out, drilling larger and tapping for a slightly bigger bolt is probably easiest? Try levering behind the head as you turn them - if you are lucky the thread will catch and they will wind out. They must have used some force to strip them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 I'd be very surprised if they've stripped M16 threads. How do you know the threads are stripped ? Are the bolts damaged. Have new bolts of the correct size been used ? Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted February 25, 2021 Share Posted February 25, 2021 5 hours ago, Mo Murphy said: I'd be very surprised if they've stripped M16 threads. How do you know the threads are stripped ? Are the bolts damaged. Have new bolts of the correct size been used ? Mo Easy done in today's poor excuse for mild steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 ^^^^ added to poor steel quality a high torque impact gun can quickly impart serious damage. How do I know ....... Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Why would the importer remove a factory fitted towbar, I reckon the import company should fix it or at least compensate you for the damage caused. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 Coming back to this and looking again ... I'd still be very surprised if they are stripped ! I used to repair damaged bosses on new vehicles and even the very finest monkeys the production line could provide with very powerful air tools could not strip an M16. Cross thread and try to ram it home, yes, but not strip. Are they the right sized bolts ? The heads look quite small. Remove a bolt, put a picture up and let's have a look at it. Noting that the plate has dropped by a 1/4 inch or so, says the bolts are too small to me. If the threads were stripped it wouldn't drop that much. If they are stripped then the bosses could be helicoiled or broken out and feed new boss plates in on a wire. Tapping from the back would resolve a cross thread but if no access then I'd drill a short lead onto the thread of the boss and then try to pick up the correct thread with a tap (but that's an experience thing !) Mo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glue Posted February 26, 2021 Share Posted February 26, 2021 What Mo Said! M16 Bolts would normally be a 24mm head / socket, those you've got look to be much closer to M10 / 17mm which would explain why the plate has dropped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 Agree with Glue. The difference between an M10 and M16 is just about the 1/4 inch that the plate has dropped. If they are M10, how have they been secured? Has the importer bodged nuts or a nut plate inside, or even welded them in? Best of luck, and let us know what you find. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveSIIA Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 On 2/26/2021 at 8:47 AM, western said: Why would the importer remove a factory fitted towbar, I reckon the import company should fix it or at least compensate you for the damage caused. I agree with Western on this. Was the vehicle yours before it was imported or did you buy it from the importer as is (inc tow bar problem)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 I think the heads look even smaller as they're flange heads which usually have a smaller hex than the equivalent standard hex head bolt of the same thread size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy _1 Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Are you sure they are striped, those heads don't look like m16. If the are striped just drill them with a 17mm bit put new m16 bolts right through to the rear side put a backing plate say 6 or 8 mm thick. Thats you sorted the old tow pack was fixed like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy _1 Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy _1 Posted March 5, 2021 Share Posted March 5, 2021 M16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Hunter Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 I don't know what your point is, or what you are trying to show in your last two photos. Some text would help 'cos "M16" doesn't tell me much. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted March 6, 2021 Share Posted March 6, 2021 Andy, I think that would be a bit kitchen table for such a late vehicle. Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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