Where is the tow eye tap?
11-17-2013, 03:24 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Where is the tow eye tap?
I was a able to drill out the aluminum plug on my 1989 S4 and I can get my tow eye in a twist, but not more than that. I provably need to get the remaining aluminum out of the threads with the tap that's being passed around. Anyone know where it is, or is there a better option?
11-17-2013, 09:46 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
I was a able to drill out the aluminum plug on my 1989 S4 and I can get my tow eye in a twist, but not more than that. I provably need to get the remaining aluminum out of the threads with the tap that's being passed around. Anyone know where it is, or is there a better option?
While you're waiting for the tap you can probably improve the thread engagement by using a dental pick to follow the thread, and remove some of the metal stuck in the valleys.
11-18-2013, 09:17 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks. I do have a dental pick, but I think I need to burrow out some more aluminum with a drill, as the pick has been useless to date. The aluminum is heavily adhered to the steel. I used a 1/2" drill bit to go through and am trying to think of ways to scrape out more that is tightly lodged.
11-18-2013, 02:22 PM
#7
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
CraigL graciously loaned me his tap a while back, and it worked perfectly.
Some thoughts:
-- The last drill bit I ran through was a 5/8" dia, on a very low-speed drill motor.
-- Then gently worked the tap through with frequent remove-and-cleans. 1/8 turn forward, half a turn back to clear the chips. With lots of thin lubrication.
-- I used a few layers of heavy tape on the bumper shell in that area for protection, and put towels in the nose section behind the grill to grab the chips and lubrication overflow out the back and the front.
-- When done, completely flushed the tow eye socket with solvent and compressed air.
-- Socket was then lubricated with chassis grease to protect the threads from corrosion. Thinking about this later, I probably should have used some spray battery-terminal protectant, the stuff that's a little like parafin when it dries. That would keep it sealed and waterproof, but would push out easily just by threading the tow-eye into the hole. The grease is fine, but can get a little messy if one is not careful when removing the tow-eye after use.
Some thoughts:
-- The last drill bit I ran through was a 5/8" dia, on a very low-speed drill motor.
-- Then gently worked the tap through with frequent remove-and-cleans. 1/8 turn forward, half a turn back to clear the chips. With lots of thin lubrication.
-- I used a few layers of heavy tape on the bumper shell in that area for protection, and put towels in the nose section behind the grill to grab the chips and lubrication overflow out the back and the front.
-- When done, completely flushed the tow eye socket with solvent and compressed air.
-- Socket was then lubricated with chassis grease to protect the threads from corrosion. Thinking about this later, I probably should have used some spray battery-terminal protectant, the stuff that's a little like parafin when it dries. That would keep it sealed and waterproof, but would push out easily just by threading the tow-eye into the hole. The grease is fine, but can get a little messy if one is not careful when removing the tow-eye after use.