oh my hubby is throwing tools! he took the pan off to change oil, filter and gasket, it had been leaking. and there is a bracket holding up the tranny that has a center bolt with the bracket nutted on. He had trouble getting to the pan bolts because the center nut on the support wouldn't break free. now he has cross threaded the middle rear pan bolt, and he is soooo mad i can't even offer my hands to hold something up, or nothing! what can he do? can he put a pipe on the rachet on the center nut, or will it break something worse? and can we fix the cross threaded bolt?

Thanks!

Lisa

 

DO NOT use a larger tool. get a tap the appropriate size(maybe 5/16 SAE) and re-tap the hole. take a bolt if you need to buy a tap. the center bolt is the trans. mounting bolt. what ever you do, do NOT overtighten the pan bolts or it will leak FOREVER! check the teflon washer on the drain plug if it has one. TAKE TWO DEEP BREATHS AND RELAX. PICK UP TOOLS! if you aren't making mistakes, you are not doing anything!! LUCK!

 

If the center mount bolt wont come off, there are two 15MM bolts holding the top of the mount to the trans "TAIL" . You may remove these as an alternative, Although They arent as "EASILY ACCESSIBLE".

The pan bolt hole should be "Re Tapped"and the bolt carefully installed. Dont force it,if you crack the aluminum, it will leak miserably.

 

i think that one way or the other, the best repair is going to be to gain access to the cross threaded bolt hole by getting the cross member or mount out of the way. I've never seen a mount to bracket nut that wouldn't break loose on a GM vehicle (and I've had a thousand trannys out of them...just ask my aching and arthritic right elbow!). if he's using a short ratchet, switch to a lnger handle or even half inch drive. most of the time, once aluminum has been cross threaded, running a tap into the hole just removes more materiel and then it won't hold the proper torque. the best and permanent fix is to install a thread insert. the kit is a bit pricey but he repair is better than original and it won't ever be a problem again...provided that he doesn't try to cheat the bolt hole again! been there, done that....it's how i know about thread inserts. the directions are simple to follow...right on the package. and...it's a metric thread...definately NOT 5/16".8mm X 1.25mm thread pitch, most all parts store carry insert kits.

 

if the hole is TERRIBLY cross threaded, then an insert IS the best bet and they work very well. i have an early model (86/87) 700r4 in my street rod and the bolts are standard. yours may be metric that is why i said TAKE A BOLT WITH YOU.! i replaced my pan with and aftermarket pan with a drain plug. not as knowledgeable as carguy, but i have cleaned up a hole in alum. IF it is not, as i said, terribly crossthreaded. i don't take the crossmember out or loose to change the gasket/filter. all bolts are accessible on mine. JUST A THOUGHT! i really thing a longer rachet is the problem with the cross thread. ALWAYS start bolts by hand for a few turns and this problem will not occur.

 

SORRY CARGUY! you are, as you know, right! i was thinking pre-86 on the 700r4 which mine is, not 86-87 as stated. earlier models were not metric which i guess is why hot-rodders like them! my apologies!!!!!

 

My hubby was way to angry, so he just stepped back.I really like the idea of going to an after market pan with a drain plug. I couldn't believe it didn't have onme. They're just going to retap it, which my husband could have done..........had he not wanted to BURN it in the driveway. I guess all you guys know what I mean! Thanks sooo much!!