This afternoon when putting the rear wing onto the fuselage, the front screw felt soft. Ie it wasn't tightening. When I got in after an unsuccessful session, the thread had start coming out of the hole. I have then removed it with a pair of pliers.
any ideas on how to fix, or is this the sort of thing that Starboard what replace?
one photo shows thread halfway out, the other out completely, and then a phot of the thread in its own,

If it's under warranty, I would go that route.
otherwise, I think you have some options. One would get the same insert. I am pretty sure that is not a special size insert. You should be able to get it from a bolt store or online. You should check that the aluminum thread is still in good shape.
The other option is use a Timesert or similar. They are pricier but what I like about them is that it is a not a spring type insert; it's a sleeve. I don't know if they have them in stainless steel though (the one I used in my car was not but I didn't need SS).
you can always go to a machinists; some retired guys from the trade are always happy to help for very cheap. My machinist is a retired Boeing machinist; he is always happy to see me because I am the excuse for him to play with his tools.

They are M6 helicoils. They can be replaced easily if you have the right tool.
That can happen if you use a screw too short or too long, or if you tighten it too much or even with time.

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WillyWind said..
If it's under warranty, I would go that route.
otherwise, I think you have some options. One would get the same insert. I am pretty sure that is not a special size insert. You should be able to get it from a bolt store or online. You should check that the aluminum thread is still in good shape.
The other option is use a Timesert or similar. They are pricier but what I like about them is that it is a not a spring type insert; it's a sleeve. I don't know if they have them in stainless steel though (the one I used in my car was not but I didn't need SS).
you can always go to a machinists; some retired guys from the trade are always happy to help for very cheap. My machinist is a retired Boeing machinist; he is always happy to see me because I am the excuse for him to play with his tools.

That's great thanks. I've spoken to a few folk and understand this is repairable. I'll check out the helicoil and timesert options.

I've had this same problem a few times across my fuselages. Really easy to fix. Bought a stainless steel helicoil kit off AliExpress for about $30. Grab the end of the damaged coil and carefully wind out. Make sure there is no debris in the whole (clean out with some crc, etc). Get the new coil and the tool and just wind in till it's as far in as the others - just below flush with the top of the hole.

one tip for young players - the coil goes in with the little cross piece (that slots into the tool) facing down. I spent a good hour unsuccessfully trying to wind in the other way. Hey presto - you're done.

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BobbinAbout said..

WillyWind said..
If it's under warranty, I would go that route.
otherwise, I think you have some options. One would get the same insert. I am pretty sure that is not a special size insert. You should be able to get it from a bolt store or online. You should check that the aluminum thread is still in good shape.
The other option is use a Timesert or similar. They are pricier but what I like about them is that it is a not a spring type insert; it's a sleeve. I don't know if they have them in stainless steel though (the one I used in my car was not but I didn't need SS).
you can always go to a machinists; some retired guys from the trade are always happy to help for very cheap. My machinist is a retired Boeing machinist; he is always happy to see me because I am the excuse for him to play with his tools.

That's great thanks. I've spoken to a few folk and understand this is repairable. I'll check out the helicoil and timesert options.

It always was a helicoil

Got tired of helicoils failing and ditched Starboard.....

I had the same with my 115 starboard black fuselage,
Just replace the helicole, super easy .

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shaneNZ said..
I've had this same problem a few times across my fuselages. Really easy to fix. Bought a stainless steel helicoil kit off AliExpress for about $30. Grab the end of the damaged coil and carefully wind out. Make sure there is no debris in the whole (clean out with some crc, etc). Get the new coil and the tool and just wind in till it's as far in as the others - just below flush with the top of the hole.

one tip for young players - the coil goes in with the little cross piece (that slots into the tool) facing down. I spent a good hour unsuccessfully trying to wind in the other way. Hey presto - you're done.

Many thanks - I ordered some on Amazon this morning. Hopefully have that fuselage back in action mid-week.

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California said..
I had the same with my 115 starboard black fuselage,
Just replace the helicole, super easy .

Thanks. Hope it is easy!

Thanks for the useful info. Just a little question. I found online many different size of helicoils, both in length and diameter (like M5, M6, M8 etc.). Which one is the right one to order to fit the starboard fuselage?
Thanks in advance for the answer

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Wen said..
Thanks for the useful info. Just a little question. I found online many different size of helicoils, both in length and diameter (like M5, M6, M8 etc.). Which one is the right one to order to fit the starboard fuselage?
Thanks in advance for the answer

M6