Forks helicoils?

[hunterso]

Hi
I bought a set of forks recently that had been fully rebuilt.
New stanchions, seals, sliders all polished.
They looked good so I thought why not.

It now seems that the threads  on the sliders which hold the mudguard and top of the caliper are bugggered.
The guy I bought them from has offered to fit them with helicoils.

Can't say I'm convinced and my initial reaction just to tell him to do one and get a refund.

What do you think? Any advice welcome.

Picture below shows the threads in question -
I'm thinking this is already a weak area and drilling would weaken it further - am I right or wrong?

These are not the actual forks - just a picture I grabbed from the net

[Trigger]

No problem in helicoiling those holes. As long as it is just the threads that have stripped and there are on remaining bits of bolt left inside. Check for any hairline cracks because the coil will just spread this out.

[Bryanj]

I agree, no problem at all with those, done them many times

[hunterso]

Ok great - thanks for that chaps

[Doc.]

Helicoils are technically better than the original threaded holes.
You're spreading the load over more area (like having a larger diameter bolt), and you're not wearing the threads in the Forks each time you remove/refit the Bolts.

If all vehicle makers weren't so 'penny-pinching', they'd fit them in the first place 

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Not sure about that.The only reason helicoils became available is because of brain deads over doing them
Chhers
Bitsa

[Green1]

Been drinking again Bitsa your slurring again.

Mick

[hairygit]

Not always Bitsa, I have repaired several for people where electrolytic corrosion between the steel bolt and ally of the forkleg has actually "eaten" the thread in the ally , or bolts have rusted so badly they bring the thread out with them (bolts holding the rear caliper halves together on a 750F1 being one example!)

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Yeah in your dreams you know what I meant.Example oil bowl bolt got to be done up like the spigot on the titanic and we know what happened to that
Cheers
Bitsa

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Hairygit
Agreed but we all know that as the age of the bike continues the lack of maintence declines and you end up with old stuff thats going to give you problems.
Cheers
Bitsa

[Doc.]

I work on Civil Aircraft for a living Bitsa, where money is no object during manufacture.
Many/most threads in Alloy components will either be Heli-coiled from the factory, or have 'solid' inserts fitted.

Ever heard of Case-Savers, particularly where Air-Cooled VWs are concerned (with their relatively soft Magnesium Alloy Crankcases)?