Tap/Die standard automotive work

[lucasd2002]

Do people here use a tap and die set to "clean" or clear the threads on automotive parts. I was swapping some springs and shocks and will be doing some more work in the same area in the near future on my rover. Sometimes dirt/mud from the trail or just everyday road dirt/grease make it seem it seem more difficult than it should to thread some of these fasteners. Things that should be able to be turned by hand until they are ready to tighten with a socket or wrench sometimes take a socket or wrench to tighten nearly the entire travel.

Is there a nice budget set available?

Also, most of the rover is metric which is harder to find - if I am only cleaning threads (not cutting new ones), will SAE work for metric stuff?

[chad s]

To clean threads, you want a set of re-threading taps and dies. Cutting taps and dies remove metal, and will damage existing threads. Re-threading taps and dies move metal to repair and clean threads.

[Thumper]

To clean threads, you want a set of re-threading taps and dies. Cutting taps and dies remove metal, and will damage existing threads. Re-threading taps and dies move metal to repair and clean threads.

I think what you mean are"thread chasers". They are not quite so aggressive and will clean the threads of paint, rust and debris nicely. They are still made of the same hardened (brittle) material so use with care to avoid breaking one off in the work.

[chad s]

I think what you mean are"thread chasers". They are not quite so aggressive and will clean the threads of paint, rust and debris nicely. They are still made of the same hardened (brittle) material so use with care to avoid breaking one off in the work.

Well, these kits are referred to as "rethreading sets"
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=56049&group_ID=1148&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

You can also buy this set labled as craftsman for a lot less money.

[lucasd2002]

Well, these kits are referred to as "rethreading sets"
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=56049&group_ID=1148&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

You can also buy this set labled as craftsman for a lot less money.

This is what I was looking at right after you posted at 12:06.

[Ign]

At the risk of stating the obvious, a wire wheel on a bench grinder will do wonders to clean dirt, rust and grit out of threads. Use a small wire cup brush in your drill chuck for nuts.

[engnerdan]

Or try the sears version for $30 less

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942275000P?keyword=thread+restore


These are all made by Kastar from the best I can tell and rebranded. I am pickign one up this week from my local Mills Fleet Farm.

-Dan

[Thumper]

Ok......same thing just different name.

[GearHd6]

You can also just adjust a threading die with the little set screw so it opens the die. That way you can chase with it and readjust later if you need to cut threads. Just a thought...

[Crasen]

Are you sure it is not the locking feature of a self locking nut keeping you from running the nut down buy hand? I understand that paint and dirt can cause this as well. But you should not be able to run the nut down if it is a self locking nut unless the nut is worn and needs to be replaced anyway.