At 02:36 PM 6/15/2010, Karl Wolz wrote:
>I can't imagine a helicoil being as strong as new threads in virgin steel,

Helicoils are made of stainless steel, tempered to a bit below
spring-temper, i.e. they're springy but will deform somewhat if you
stick a screwdriver between the coils and twist.  They should be
noticeably stronger than the original threads in any automotive material.

>though I don't think strength is as critical as the helicoils' tendency to
>come out when you remove the bolts.  Either way should work fine.

Have you had a problem with this?  They expand quite tightly into the
(new) hole.

Yours,
David