www.imoc.co.uk

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This is how I fixed my front bumper strips. I think it should apply to imports that had the toblerone strips too.

This what you're usually left with after you've had to remove the bumper for whatever reason:


For carrying out this repair task you will need:

1.M6 Helicoil thread repair kit
2.4 Stainless M6 bolts approx 25mm long
3.Loctite thread lock

Tools needed:
Junior hacksaw
File
Tap wrench/small adjustable
Electric drill
3mm Drill
Centre punch
Hammer

This is the sort of kit you'll need:

Comes complete with M6 helicoil tap, drill bit, insert tool and inserts

First off, protecting the finish on the bumper strip as best you can, cut off the remainder of the stud flush to the bottom of the bracket until you are left with this:


Using the hammer and centre punch put a mark in the centre of the remaining bit of stud, then drill out (carefully) 3mm approx 8mm deep. Do not worry if you go into the plastic, but make sure you do not drill all the way through!


With the hole drilled out 3mm, put in the drill bit from the helicoil kit and drill out the 3mm hole to the same depth as before.

With the hole drilled out, it is now ready for tapping. Keeping the tap wrench as square as possible to the hole, cut a new thread into the hole using the tap supplied in the helicoil kit. If you don't have a tap wrench a small spanner/adjustable can be used but take care:


You are then left with this:


Take an M6 insert from the kit and place the tang into the slot of the inserting tool like so:


Screw the insert into the tapped hole you have just made until the top of the insert is flush with the top of the hole:


You might be able to break the 'tang' on the bottom of the helicoil, but as it's such a shallow hole, do not worry if it is not possible. remove the tool and you are left with a nice strong M6 thread:


With a bit of Loctite threadlock on the bottom of the M6 bolt, screw this into the threaded hole until it bottoms out and goes tight (do not overtighten):


Then cut off the head of the bolt leaving approx 15mm of thread. Using the file, take off the sharp edges from cutting and put a small taper on the top of the threadto leave 'lead in' for the nut. Leave the threadlock to dry for a few hours and you're left with this:


One fixed stud that if used with stainless nuts will never seize and shear again.

Hope this helps and save some folk some money