Stripped Brake Caliper Bolt Hole?

On the XJ that continues to be the bane of my existence, the bolt holes for the caliper bolts (sliding caliper bolts) in one of the knuckles no longer have threads in them.

Caliper mounting ears are part of the knuckle, not a separate caliper mounting bracket.

So, Timesert or Heli-Coil safe to use? Or do I need to go to the trouble of sourcing a new knuckle?

I berkeleying hate this XJ, it continues to hog my garage, and everytime I fix something I find something else wrong with it.

• Lee

I had the same thing happen on my 98 dakota (yes, I know, not the same thing) had Heli-Coils put in, working fine so far.

find a vehicle that uses the next size bigger threads but the same guide pin diameter and length and tap the holes for those..

Helicoil, good enough for aerospace, good enough for anything on a car, plus the helicoil will take less material out of the ear.

Drill it out and weld a nut on the back?

wvumtnbkr wrote: Drill it out and weld a nut on the back?

or just weld the bolt in and put the vehicle in question up for sale on a Craigslist section 300 miles from where you live?

Same thing happened on my durango NAPA carries a self tapping bolt to fix it for the durango. Money says they have them for xj too.

Funny how most of the posts here are Chryslers! I fixed my BIL Dakota with a Heli-coil set.

In reply to novaderrik: You better also fake the address on your title! 300 miles isn't very far if you're really, really mad!

Heli-coil is fine. The bolt is loaded in shear so no real fear of failure due to pulling the thread out. But even if it was I would still use them. I have seen cylinder head bolt holes repaired with these with no issues.

I put Heli-coils in both holes. I needed a 21/64" drill bit for the 8mm Heli-coil, of course I didn't have a 21/64, Fastenal is closed, only thing available local is E36 M3ty black oxide Dewalt bits at Lowe's. Bought one, broke one, thankfully it's not a blind hole, I was able to just knock the broken bit out from the other side with a punch. Went back to Lowe's bought the last 2 bits they had, then finished the job with no other hiccups.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

• Lee