I'd like as many opinions as I can get guys(and gals).This started about a year and half ago when my wife got a flat tire on the way to work (not in the vette).She was lucky enough to pull into a John Deer dealer,and the mechanics were nice enough to help her out.What they did not realize at the time,was that shorter bolts,supplied in the spare tire well in the trunk were supposed to be installed with the donut spare.What happened was the car would not move with the longer bolts as they hit on the backing plate and park brake assy.As soon as they realized the problem they removed the bolts with the air gun and the damaged bolts stripped out the hub threads on two(or three?) of the holes.It held long enough to get home.I immediately bought a heli-coil set of the proper thread size and repaired the threads in the damaged holes.Last week we heard a noise from that wheel,and since it was still under warranty I had it checked at the dealer.Turned out the minor damage to the park brake linkage was causing the park brake to apply lightly which is easily fixed.When the mechanic saw the heli-coils and pointed it out to the service manager they called me and said the car was unsafe this way and I should replace the hub to the tune of $1,400 + dollars.THAT got my attention as I told them to button it up and send my wife home,but not before they forced her to sign  the "unsafe"repair order.Now,I did my homework on Heli-coils,and found the origins and stregnths of the product and I feel the threads are now stronger than original.I am a mechanic and have used heli-coils for over thirty years with no failures to this point.I am afraid when my lease is up,and I return the vehicle,a red flag will come up and they will force me to repair this.I can do the repair but I feel it is a matter of principle and want to stand my ground.What say you guys? Am I wrong on this.Is the tire in danger of loosening? It has been fine for a year and a half.Sorry for the long winded description.

                              Jules

You are right, the helicoils are stronger then the original threads providing they were properly applied. The problem is the dealer also has a liability issue thanks to the way too many attorneys we have in this country, and the way too corrupt court system. The car was modified so the liability falls on the last person to work on it. If it were mine I would take my chances, or do the repairs myself for a fraction of the cost the dealer quoted.

I agree with the fish.... Let hwer ride as is. While that is going on you can check out the local wrecking yards for a replacement. For me that would have the kid in a candy store effect.

The helicoil is stronger and will hold better than the original.  Contact the manufactuer of HeliCoil and they can send you some test result which prove this is a true statement.   There are many manufacture applications where HeliCoil is used in original construction because of this fact.

A little homework and a good lawyer will blow their statements right out of the water.  In addition, forcing a "Unsafe" statement with a signature, at least in Ohio, is illegal.  It is consider high pressure and scare tactic sales.  It can force a customer into buying something that they would not otherwise buy.  It is considered predatory tatics, and can be prosecuted in Ohio.  Food for thought.

Jules,
I understand your "principal" stance however I would buy a used or new hub and replace it myself. Here's why. I manage a police fleet of over 700 cars. I deal with liability issues, warranties, insurance companies, and lawyers on a daily basis. No doubt $1400 is an absurd amount for such a repair but I deal with that also on a daily basis. It is the nature of a dealership service department. Everyone their works on a percentage basis. The helicoils are probably better then the oem setup and someone may be willing to put that on paper. But that is still no guarantee that you won't have a problem when the lease is up. Then you would have to file in civil court to try to resolve a relatively simple problem.
Once you remove the "principal" factor from the equation it seems clear that the easiest solution is to let it ride until it is time to turn the vehicle in. It really boils down to spending a little money on the hub or a lot more money using the courts to recover some of the money from the shop that originally caused the problem and the lessor dealership for predatory tactics. I would fix it myself. Just my opinion.
Scott

I agree with Scott.  Common sense says spend the least amount to correct the "problem", and break the chain of litigation this country has become so used to throughout the years.

And this is just my opinion...don't lease anymore vehicles!  Why rent when you can buy?

Hope everything turns out for you.

 While that is going on you can check out the local wrecking yards for a replacement.   [/QUOTE]

 The junk yard is a good idea,but I think you said it was a leased car. In the end you'll have to have that changed back to original as it was probably put in their computer file on your car.

 Next, if it does fail , and you hit someone with the wheel falling off,do you think the insurance company is going to cover you? They'll do anything to get out of paying any lawsuit. They'll claim you made  unsafe modifications and leave you with the lawsuits

Heli-coil company wont make those claims because someone can sue them too if it happens

Well,the common theme throughout your posts seems to be I'm correct on principle,but fix the darned thing myself and avoid the litigation and insurance headaches.      

    Ken, you are correct about the Heli-coil being used in original construction to make for even stronger assemblies.It was invented for that very purpose, in the 1930's,when the light weight metals used in airplane engines would not hold the threads,due to vibration and constant removal and installation for maintenance, etc.Heli-coil to the rescue.It is also used in original construction in the Space Shuttle and Boeing airplanes to strengthen assemblies.

    Ranger and vettedreams, you are effectively logical in your arguments.Remove my "principal factor" and the choice is obvious.Return the vehicle in the condition required, and as I recieved it,and avoid litigation and insurance headaches.

   Vettedreams,as far as leasing vs. buying, it works out for me, as long as you lease a car with a good residual value,you can usually get a much lower monthly payment or a much nicer car for the same payment.I only lease for the extent of the warranty and never with any money down.I have a new car for my wife every three years and no worries about fixing much myself which leaves me more time to work on my vette (theoretically). I myself, drive a company work truck everywhere, so it helps not having two car payments.

Huk Finn (love that handle) ..good point about the insurance aspect.As a matter of fact thanks for all the great view points,everyone.

 Conclusion:I will fix it myself and not renew my lease for another car with this dealer,mostly to satisfy my"principle factor".

         Thanks everyone, Jules

82collectorshark38646.5934259259

jules
       fix tghat hub yourself avoid the hassel later at only a fraction of the cost, more money for the vette later.

The only problem I can see with using a Heli-coil in that location is the length of it. If it is in a wheel hub, it couldn't be very many threads there. It really would depend on how thick the hub is. Other than that, I don't see any problem with that "fix". If the hub is thick enough to install the complete length of the Heli-coil, then the repair is solid(imo). I would keep an eye(and a torque wrench) on them for a while!