Stripped brake mount on my Pike

I did this on my lyrik. If you're using those cup and cone washers on your brake mount, I managed to get it to thread in to the remaining thread in the fork and stay tight after removing these washers, and it didn't upset the brake alignment at all. Did it up and did 3 weeks in the Alps and finale and Golfie trips it didn't come loose.

You might get lucky and it works like it did for me but these washers are needed on my girlfriend's lyrik as otherwise the brake doesn't sit flush to the rotor and rubs. Worth a go though 🤷

Sadly, not using those washers.

helicoils are pretty easy to do.  Stronger than the original thread.  If you are not confident in doing them any engineering shop should be able to do one for you

Helicoil or time insert

Definitely helicoil it. Did it on a fox 32 I had years ago. I bought a cheap kit on eBay and it took 5 mins.

Helicoil would be best.

You could also try getting a length of threaded rod (or a much longer bolt with the head cut off) and threading that into the hole. Probably, your existing bolt didn't reach to the bottom of the hole, so there may be enough thread left at the bottom to thread into. Locktite the threaded rod into the hole, fit the brakes using a nut at the top with one extra washer, then cut the rod so it's flush with the top of the nut, then remove the extra washer. Best to do this on both mounting holes so you use the same tool for both.

If you're running a 180 mm rotor, you could fit a 200 mm one and get an adapter that bolts to the fork, but has bolt holes for the caliper (i.e. has four holes instead of just using two longer bolts to space the caliper). Permanently mount that to the fork using threaded rods as above, then you just fit you caliper as normal.

You could also try getting a length of threaded rod (or a much longer bolt with the head cut off) and threading that into the hole. Probably, your existing bolt didn’t reach to the bottom of the hole, so there may be enough thread left at the bottom to thread into. Locktite the threaded rod into the hole, fit the brakes using a nut at the top with one extra washer, then cut the rod so it’s flush with the top of the nut, then remove the extra washer. Best to do this on both mounting holes so you use the same tool for both.

You could have saved a lot of words by saying use a longer bolt... Unless you meant epoxy (not Loctite) the bar in place?

You could have saved a lot of words by saying use a longer bolt

It's extremely risky to use a bolt that reaches to the bottom of the hole. It's easier to get the length right with threaded rod. Also, the threaded rod is steel so much less likely to strip it when refitting calipers than threading into a hole tapped into the magnesium fork lowers. This is why the old ISO mounts with an adapter for post-mount calipers were better - you didn't have the risk of stripping the very fragile threads in the fork.

Edit: Also, don't epoxy the stud in place. It needs to be threaded into undamaged thread at the bottom of the hole, then loctited into place so that it can be removed in the future but won't unscrew when you remove the nut holding the caliper on.

If the plan is for new lowers or new fork then you've got nothing to lose by giving a helicoil a go. I did one years ago on a set of 32's, £5 or so off eBay and took a few minutes. They usually come in a set with lots of them so you can practice in some scrap first

Recently Helicoiled a set of FOX Factory 36's

Both brake mounts and the small cable guide hole

Easy to do, buy the kit off eBay and just take your time

Superficial
Free Member
You could also try getting a length of threaded rod (or a much longer bolt with the head cut off) and threading that into the hole. Probably, your existing bolt didn’t reach to the bottom of the hole, so there may be enough thread left at the bottom to thread into. Locktite the threaded rod into the hole, fit the brakes using a nut at the top with one extra washer, then cut the rod so it’s flush with the top of the nut, then remove the extra washer. Best to do this on both mounting holes so you use the same tool for both.

You could have saved a lot of words by saying use a longer bolt… Unless you meant epoxy (not Loctite) the bar in place

Or the term 'engineers studs' fnarr fnarr, s****....

I'd helicoil it, easiest/cheapest fix, often better than the original thread (IME).

I've got a semi-stripped brake mount and front hose mount at the minute, I was able to grab some thread in the brake mount by using a longer bolt but I'm constantly thinking about it and would love to fix it properly. Can anyone drop a link to the helicoil kits you've used?

Something like this:
Recoil

You want a M6 thread, with a 1mm pitch. The "1.5 x D" part is the depth of the insert. ie. 1.5D = 1.5 x 6mm = 9mm deep insert.

Near Stockport? I'll do it for you.

Something like this:
Recoil

You want a M6 thread, with a 1mm pitch. The “1.5 x D” part is the depth of the insert. ie. 1.5D = 1.5 x 6mm = 9mm deep insert.

Near Stockport? I’ll do it for you.

That's an extremely kind offer, thank you. Unfortunately I'm nowhere near otherwise I'd already be in the car on my way over. Thanks for the info too, that's exactly what I needed.

I don't suppose there's anyone here around Cambridge who is comfortable doing a helicoil?

And this is why the IS brake standard was superior to Post Mount! All the threads were in the easily replacable £5 adaptor bracket...

There was a thread on this recently, in which multiple posters claimed to have never heard of a stripped brake mount....

Sorry, nothing useful to add, but helicoil does seem to be a sensible solution...

rossburton
Free Member
I don’t suppose there’s anyone here around Cambridge who is comfortable doing a helicoil?

What size. Haven't done a fork or any for ages, last thing I did was a cosworth YB cam caps in situ about 10 years ago.

@scruffythefirst: M6 x 1mm.

I've got a recoil M6x1 kit, but for some strange reason no inserts. I think Mackay's have them. PM me.

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I don’t suppose there’s anyone here around Cambridge who is comfortable doing a helicoil?</span>

I'm in Loughborough and have done it before, but still a bit of a drive!