How to repair the stripped door stop bolt holes?

Jim Spahr · Jul 8, 2012

My daughter has a 1998 Jeep Wrangler with what I am sure is a common problem that is driving me crazy. The two doors are 'stopped' by a nylon strap which is held on to the door frame by two bolts going through a metal bracket and into the sheet metal door frame. The nylon strap is bolted at the other end to the metal below the dash. Since the entire weight of the door swinging open is on these two bolts, it didn't take long for these two bolts to loosen and then strip the flimsy threads in the door sheet metal. I thought of pulling the door panel and putting a nut on the back of these two bolts. But I don't have the FSM with details or the special tools on how to remove the panel without destroying it. Then I saw on Gearz Sat. morning tv show and the answer is called a 'thread setter'. This is sold in kits by Marson and Alcoa and others and has a special rivet like device with a threaded insert. You pop in the threaded insert in the stripped out hole and now you have a secure place to thread the bolt. Problem is the kits start at 65.00 and run up to 245.00. Anyone have any experience with these? Do they work as advertized? What is the best deal?
http://www.amazon.com/Marson-Thread-Setter-Kit-39301/dp/B005YS5ERM

tbensor · Jul 8, 2012

could you put in a bigger screw?

BLK00TJ · Jul 8, 2012

This is the most common way of fixing this problem.

Jim Spahr · Jul 8, 2012

RE; bigger bolt? Actually you would first need to thread the next size up and then bolt a new matching larger bolt in. But I am afraid the stress and the frequency of the door swinging open would quickly strip that one out , also. I am looking for a more permanent solution.

tbensor · Jul 8, 2012

You can find the online manual here: Jeep Knowledge Base

Atthehop · Jul 8, 2012

I rarely let my doors or tailgate swing free. After you fix it always hold the door with one hand and you will never have to fix it again.

MarkNog · Jul 8, 2012

This is what i do and that metal piece woln't even wiggle a little on mine after 8 years.

Jim Spahr · Jul 9, 2012

Full door restrait strap

I went to the Jeep Knowledge Base which is like a FSM . I forgot that there are several door configurations. My dau's is a full door with roll up windows, so it is heavier than many. There are three basic components: footman's loop with a screw at each end, a restraining strap, and a pin with two screws at one end. It is the footman's loop retaining screws that are pulled out.

Jim Spahr · Jul 10, 2012

What size is the stock screw?

I thought this might be helpful for those going the 'next size up' route for fixing this problem. The stock screw is a Metric sheet metal screw .19--24.50, Jeep pn 0636102AA, Quantity 4 . (two per door).

WingingIt74 · Aug 6, 2012

I've been trying to find a better fix too. My old YJ's ones broke all the time, and now that I have a TJ, they are broke too.

ALs07 · Aug 6, 2012

Hi, check out your local hardware store. Our local store has a section with the pull out drawers, all kinds of fasteners. Anyway they have the threaded rivets and the setting tool available. Not that expensive that way. Good luck.

WingingIt74 · Aug 6, 2012

The two Jeeps I've had, the screws break off at the head and the footman loop gets bent. I want to find or build something that I won't have this issue again.

jkaufman_95 · Aug 6, 2012

I have full doors and always just caught the door and have never had the slightest issue with this

WingingIt74 · Aug 6, 2012

I've had the issue with half and full doors. I usually just leave the strap off once the footman loop breaks.

How to repair the stripped door stop bolt holes?

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