Cleaning bolts and bolt holes

Should running a thread chaser in the bolt holes somethin I should do for every bolt hole or is cleanin the bolts with a wire brush sufficient and cleanin the hole with a small wire brush good what is the recommendation? Thank you
 
Chasing the threaded holes is a good practice. What you don't want to do is run a die over bolt threads! Good chance it will undersize them. Wire brush is safe, if in doubt, replace them.
 
i use a thread restorer set. it came from mac tools. the taps and dies are not designed to cut threads, it cleans up old threads.
 
I don't know what the real mechanics do, but for bolt holes I use a sweat fitting brush with the handle modified so it will fit in a drill chuck.
 
...agree 100% on bolts. Good grade bolts have "rolled" threads, not die cut threads or lathe cut threads. You weaken them with a die.
 
I like a wire wheel for bolt threads. Leaves a nice burnished finish. I usually use taps to clean holes because I have a lot of them from my machine shop days. Rust isn't good for them so I soak the hole with PB or Kroil for a while before I tap. Unless it's an emergency fix I don't put in any screw that I can't run in with fingers.
 
Always. You cant torque a bolt properly when you are fighting rust or crud. I hate it when they start getting looser and you have to take it apart again to add a thread insert.
 
Mike, I agree with your procedures 100%. I always wire wheel bolts, tap holes, clean up lock washers with a pocket knife, wire wheel under bolt heads. Like to be able to run stuff by hand first, using PB. I guess mostly I have always ran across Grade 8 and 5 bolts. Last week I was cleaning up a PTO drive assy. on a power unit. I guess the bolts were shear bolts,(softer than Grade 2 ?) because the wire wheel ate the threads off! Opps! This was a "first" for me.
 
If I"m building an engine and need to torque to specs, I run a tap in every hole to clean out rust and sealers. Otherwise your torque will be off.
 
If you can run a thread die on the threads with your hands you will not be changing the threads. Same with a thread tap. I use the one finger on a tap or die handle. It takes more than one finger to remove steel. I have drilled and tapped thousands of holes in my last 50 some years and once you tap a hole you can runt the same tap in and out of the hole 50 times and you will not change the threads one bit. I wonder how many thread cleaning taps could be sold to tool and die/ mold makers.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top