CGT strut thread repair and such, M14x1.5 die source?

[auditude at get.net]

Yeah, I know.  It's not the first time I've answered my own post.  But traffic always seems to be light on
the weekends anyhow.

I found this, and it's cheap.  Seems like it was made for the job, since I'm not trying to cut new threads.

http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/search.asp?partno=TR14150

Only $1.98.  Very cool.  Not what I would expect from $nap-On tho'.

Later,

Ken

On 7 Jul 2002 at 13:24, I posted:

> Hi all,
>
> I worked on the Coupe GT until the wee hours last night/this morning,
> trying to swap out the springs with other ones.
>
> It's been a while since I've tinkered with a Type 85 suspension.  All
> in all, it wasn't too bad.  Not that I'm finished.
>
> The driver side strut has some ugly looking threads at the top.  I
> have been trying to find a thread die to clean them up a bit, but
> nobody around town seems to have them that big.  I did find out that
> the threads are M14x1.5, which I discovered by finding the matching
> bolt at a hardware store.
>
> Does anyone know a good/cheap place where I could find an individual
> die in this size?  I imagine mail order is what I'll end up doing.
>
> I think I've given up trying to get the car back together this
> weekend, and I'd prefer to clean up the threads on the current strut,
> rather than install some better ones I have.  My problem is
> compounded by the fact that the allen wrench hole in the top is
> really buggered, and I was finally able to force the slotted nut off
> by using a smaller allen wrench than is correct, and driving the
> thing around with a hammer and screwdriver past the trouble spot.
>
> That was after I figured out that I hadn't lost my allen wrench I
> used on the passenger side.  Since it didn't fit the driver side, I
> thought I somehow had the wrong one.  Someone really buggered up the
> driver side strut.  I wondered why I had to "unscrew" the top
> retaining cap (the one that's not threaded, but just sits there
> normally) off the strut.
>
> Also, for the life of me, I couldn't get the driver side ball joint
> out of the strut housing.  I had to drop the control arm and then it
> actually just fell out.  I was amazed.
>
> Some interesting engineering someone did on the ball joint retention
> bolt.  It's a longer bolt than stock, with a nut and lock washer
> under the head to take up the slack.  It's always such a learning
> experience, going through used cars.  Like the wear I found on the
> brake line.  Um...
>
> Driver side control arm bushings look good.  I didn't inspect the
> passenger side ones, but I imagine they might be ill since it pulls
> to the left slightly under acceleration.
>
> While I'm on the subject of cutting threads, does anyone know the
> thread size/type on the shifter?  I'd like to shorten it and retain
> the stock knob.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Ken