Help with Screw Sizing Pacific Energy Alderlea T5

[durutti123]

Long story short, I managed to strip the lower bolt on the door catch (part #. 80001556) on my T5. Have never done a tap and die before, and want to make absolutely sure I don't mess this up. Local machine shop told me the screw bolt is a 1/4" x 20 tpi. Just want to first confirm that is the correct size, and second would this be the proper heli-coil to get:

https://www.amazon.com/Helicoil-5521-4-Coarse-Thread-Repair/dp/B0002SRE8Q/ref=sr_1_1

Or, should I bite the bullet and get a kit that has various sizes in anticipation that I will someday do this again (hopefully not on this appliance)? Thanks in advance.

 

[begreen]

How thick is the metal being tapped? If there's not a lot of meat there for the bolt, it might be better to go up a size to 5/16" and skip the helicoil.

 

[durutti123]

You are correct, not much meat there. So will going up secure the screw enough for a decent seal on the door gasket?

 

[begreen]

Yes, I'd go up to 5/16"x 20. This will require drilling out the latch plate to clear the larger size before tapping the stove body for the 5/16" bolt.

To verify, these are the bolts we are talking about, right? Why were they removed?

 

[durutti123]

Yes, I'd go up to 5/16"x 20. This will require drilling out the latch plate to clear the larger size before tapping the stove body for the 5/16" bolt.

To verify, these are the bolts we are talking about, right? Why were they removed?

View attachment 331283

Sorry Be, got busy at work and just got back from Africa so life is a bit of a catch up. Yes, those are the bolts. Just the bottom one is stripped. I loosened them to get a better seal on the door, and then tightened the one too much. So, just drill out the latch hole to 5/16th and then use a 5/16 bolt. Any other recommendations?