[Vwdiesel] bob slater/boltophobia

[SLATERSFB at aol.com]

 I agree. I have metric taps, but chose to just clean the threads. I figure it should fit as snug as possible without binding; more accurate torque reading and more likely to stay put. 
Also, I would only oil threads on installation. Early on in my career as a maniac I lubed all threads with CV joint grease figuring they would not seize that way. Well they sure didn't - they backed out on their own, the head came loose and gasket failed. Took less than 10k miles. Had the same thing happen on exhaust flange bolts. They always rusted so bad I had to destroy them to remove, so CV joint grease seemed the logical choice. Nope, wrong again. Loostened on their own. Never Sneeze is the way to go in that case. I think the thing with oil on threads is that its slippery when you're snugging down, then gets squished out of the way & bolt stays put. Most manuals specify only oil - in my experience.  I learned a lot be screwing up a lot.

Cheap Bob in NY


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There are tools called thread chasers.  They look like a dulled tap.  
The reason is that a tap can ruin a set of threads if used as a chaser.  
If the tap is cut for a looser class of fit then the threads it will 
remove required thread material and thus leaving you a thread that will 
be out of spec and will be loose.  Not sure as it makes much difference 
with the vw, but it could.  So if I can't find the metric thread chasers 
I'll be using the homemade bolt option.
Justin

>I like to do two operations:
>
>-cut slots in the thread, usually with a cut-off grinding wheel
>
>-flatten the bolt tip, so that it "bottoms out".  Sometimes, I 
>cut an X in the tip, to help clean out the bottom.  But you definitely 
>want to chase the threads all the way there.
>
>vwdiesel wisdom says buy a tap.  
>
>Cheaply yours,
>
>Val
>  
>