What is Reddit's opinion of Kastar 971 SAE and Metric Thread Restorer Kit?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

That part will work like brand new with a good disassembly, cleaning, and lubrication. That old school stuff was made to last.

If threads are a problem then chase the burs off.

https://www.amazon.com/Kastar-971-Metric-Thread-Restorer/dp/B003QHQEPE

It's possible the threads are damaged and you can chase them with a kit like this. If you're willing to take chances and the bolt goes in a decent amount you can always shorten it or buy a shorter replacement at the hardware store.

if you can touch it w/o it sticking to your finger it should be good to go...I use Ultra Black when doing differential covers and after 4 hours I fill em and drive em and havn't had a leak yet.

Thread chasers can clean threads and straighten threads, but if they're gone, then it'll need a heli coil or insert.

Kastar/Lang makes the master kit, same one's on all the tool trucks for 3X the price. It's a handy tool to have and use. Thread restorer's are NOT the same as a tap, a tap is designed to cut threads, restorers are designed to chase threads/clean them and straighten them.

https://www.amazon.com/Kastar-971-Metric-Thread-Restorer/dp/B003QHQEPE

$76 Kastar 971 SAE and Metric Thread Restorer Kit https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003QHQEPE/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_6ERJ92KAQ41Y52AAH8EP?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Same kit for $75 USD. Not sure where you live, it's about $110CAD on Canadazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Kastar-971-Metric-Thread-Restorer/dp/B003QHQEPE

I've had this same kit on my wishlist for months now. This is the cheapest version I found. Somehow I doubt your snappy set costs $75 lol, sorry mate.

https://www.amazon.com/Kastar-971-Metric-Thread-Restorer/dp/B003QHQEPE

How does this style compare (functionality-wise) to the more traditional "slotted bolt/nut"-type thread restorers?

Buy these

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003QHQEPE

Not going to name names, but these are the same thread chasers some of the more expensive brands sell as their own.

If you take your time and make sure you’re all straight and threaded in nicely then it will work.

The safer option is to use a chaser tap / thread cleaning tap. like this from summit or this from amazon which looks suspiciously similar to my snap on set.

They’re designed to restore/reform threads, not cut new ones so there’s less of a chance of boogering it up. It’s got a flat end, so you have to have it threaded from the get go, so it’s a lot harder to cross-thread or start off crooked plus it won’t cut new threads even if you were cockeyed. Also, you can just use a socket or wrench to turn them which is nice if you don’t have a lot of clearance.

A regular die can/will cut the existing threads, removing material, which could leave the fastener weaker. To what extent (if to any meaningful degree), I’m not sure.