Roy, it just occurred to me... we should have but that bolt in from the other side. Probably would have straightened the threads out. Doesn't matter now that you got it fixed but maybe one of us will remember if there is a next time.
Tried that...sent you a PM on that (and some other stuff).
So everyone else isn't curious...
The first few threads were buggered up (probably from airgunning the wheel bolts) and we couldn't get one bolt in.
I bought a couple rear wheel bolts and borrowed a 14mm x 1.5 pitch tap from work. I chased the threads, but the first few were a write off. No good way to repair that kind of thing (other then drilling it out and installing a helicoil or other type insert).
When a hole is threaded, the machinist drills with the appropriately sized drill, then chamfers the hole. Then chamfer provides an easy entry for both the tap and, ultimately, the bolt or screw.
The exit side of a tapped through hole isn't chamfered so the lead in for the first thread isn't there. The last thread may not be perfect form, so a bolt may not enter easily, or at all (which is what I found when I tried).
I'm just glad not all the threads were buggered up. Airgunning is a great way to remove bolts, not so hot for installing them (it's ok to run the bolts in, but not tight...use a torque wrench for that). This is especially applicable for aluminum wheels, btw.
ave
