Can new #8 hardware possibly fix threads?

[TheArlenG]

The threads in one of the holes in my aftermarket steel bumper are damaged, not to mention the bolt that came out of it. Appears some of the overlapping sheet metal was interfering when it was put in, and they just said $%$% it and drove it in anyway. When I try to screw in one of the healthy #8 bolts by hand, it gets stuck after a few turns, and I didn't try to force further.

I never used a tap before and a little afraid to try. I was wondering if there's any harm, or even if it's possible, to fix the threads just by attempting to crank a new #8 bolt through the hole? Thank you... Arlen.

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[SouthCo]

I'd say no do not just try to run the new bolt in... You don't want to chance making it worse.

 

[garyji]

This!!^^^^^

Try the tap. Nothing to be afraid of. Just take your time and keep it oiled.

G.

 

[TheArlenG]

Ok guys...thanks for the quick feedback. Was sooo tempting to just try to brute force that bolt. Heading to the youtubes to watch some tapping vids!

 

[JimLee]

If you try and force it you could end up with a seized bolt sticking half way out of the hole, or worse broken off in the hole. As many others have already said, tap it.

 

[zrickety]

Ok guys...thanks for the quick feedback. Was sooo tempting to just try to brute force that bolt. Heading to the youtubes to watch some tapping vids!

A good tap and die set is worth it's weight in gold. I got mine on ebay, was not terribly expensive.
Some ATF fluid makes a good cutting oil.

 

[TheArlenG]

Fixed! Got a 40 buck set from HF... only place nearby that had what I needed. Worked like a charm.

Thank you guys.

 

[SouthCo]

Great job!

 

[JHTS]

Good work I had to buy a tap and die set to put my bumper in and ended up wondering why it took me so long to get one.

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