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Stock JK Tech Bulletin board forum regarding issues with OE (original equipment) components of the Jeep JK Wrangler (Rubicon, Sahara, Unlimited and X) such as factory suspension parts, engine, transmission, body parts, interior fixtures and the on-board computer.

Stripping bolts

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Old Jan 25, 2023 | 06:17 PM
  #31  
arizonajeep66's Avatar
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Joined: Jan 2023
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From: Tucson
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That's good to know. I got lucky this time. Today I bought a Kobalt digital torque wrench and put it on both pulley bolts set to 18 Ft Lbs, and they wouldn't budge at 18 - But I know the next time I have to change the pulleys, the bolt hole threads won't survive. I've already had 3 of the smaller waterpump threads fail - for those I was able to use slightly larger SAE bolts, and that has worked well - but the next time I change the waterpump, I am going to use time serts and or heliocoils. With the price they charge for these cars, they should be installing steel thread inserts at the factory- These aluminum alloy engines are too soft for steel bolts. The threads just will not last over the course of changing waterpumps and idler pulleys every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. My JKU has 136,000 miles on it. IT's already had 3 radiators and 4 waterpumps. I changed the waterpumps about every 40,000 miles before they showed any sign of failure - a $200 waterpump is cheaper than a blown head gasket or new engine. I also change the thermostat, hoses, the idler pulleys and the serp. belt with every waterpump change. I've only changed the tensioner pulley once at 90,000 miles. Other than the stripped bolt holes, this latest job wasn't too bad - Changing the radiator was far easier than I thought it would be.

Last edited by arizonajeep66; Jan 25, 2023 at 06:24 PM. Reason: additional info
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