Captivated nuts - Over centre clips.

[RayD]

Does anyone know what the three captivated nuts look like for the over centre clips on the roof? A picture would be even better.
Ray

[Sy V]

Ray

Struggling here man!

[RayD]

I'm not surprised - it will have to be someone who's had the roof material off.

I removed the full width plastic cover to identify a rattle and one of the captivated nuts started turning when I came to replace the stud. If I knew what it looked like I might be able to stop it.

Ray

[jabrown39]

I just stripped off the roof material in prep of new canvas. I will take pictures tonight and post ASAP. I am not sure exactly what you are looking for but will take pictures of the whole lot.

Cheers,
Jim

[jabrown39]

RayD,

What are you looking for? All of the captive screws are visible with the plastic cover removed.



Point me in the right direction and I will post what you are looking for.

[RayD]

Thank you Jim,

I already had the over centre clip back in place before the nut started to turn. I imagined it might be an ordinary nut set in a cage above the plate, as in Fig 2.

From what you say I can now see how the circular piece shown in your picture is the actual nut, as in Fig 1, and in my case it is just spinning in the plate. Have you since seen them from the top?

Regards,
Ray

[jabrown39]

I'll get a clear picture of the clamp retaining screw nuts later this afternoon.

From what I remember, it looks like a relativly long female threaded cylinder that is "pressed" into the metal without any additional mechanism to keep it from spinning. There are two of the nuts that are concealed in the bonded area and a single that is exposed on front and back side.

[Gordon]

They're "Rivit-nuts" aren't they?
Rivet nuts on ebay

[jabrown39]

That looks like them. I don't see what keeps them form spinning except for compression when inserted. Once they spin . . ?

[RayD]

I shall have another look, especially as the plastic cover is still creaking.
Cheers, Ray

[Gordon]

You need a tool "rivet nut gun" to fit them, it collapses them into place much like a pop rivet...
Rivet nut tool kit (for reference, not price)

For the amount of torque they have to hold;
if one has gone loose, it would probably be worth working super-glue into the outer edge of the fitting, while spinning it to work the glue in.. let it cure for a bit and see if it bites..

super-glue is pretty good on close-fit metal-to-metal... after all, threadlock and bearing lock are basically the same thing

once secured, try running a tap down it to make sure the tread is clean, then use stainless setscrews/bolts in it to keep things clean for the future.

[RayD]

Super glue did it, I had a small drill ready to two put two copper rivets (earth wire from flat twin and earth) in the junction between the nut and the plate but in the event after 10 minutes the super glue stopped it turning.

A couple of observations for future reference… the nuts and the screws are badly matched – it’s not hard to get them crossed on the way in – a sure way to get the nut spinning.

As for the plastic cover creaking, hopefully this as been solved by a three-inch length of double sided sponge tape at each end (the kind used to hold double glaze units in)

Thanks again,
Ray

[RayD]

Does anyone have one of these, or know if they're available and where?

It's one of the two holding the top cover on the dash.

Thank you

Ray

[Candles]

You have sim cards holding your dash?

[RayD]

Got a bit excited then ...I thought you'd found me one!

[GeoffSmith]

You have sim cards holding your dash?

No. Only one. The other side is held in with a spire nut.

[paulwatkins]

Ray,
I used a couple of the fixings that you get with speaker kits - They look very similar to the ones in your pic. You just place them over the tabs and give them a small pinch with pliers to hold them in place.

If you haven't got any, I'll have a look and see if I've got some lying around.

I'm sure you could pick them up at any motor factors or halfords.

[RayD]

Thank you Paul,

I've got some of the self tapping screw type - this is different for having a proper thread. One of mine disappeared behind the dash - I’ll have another look for it today.

Ray

[GeoffSmith]

Ray,

Short shift Dave (DeeAitch) supplies spire nuts with the stainless fastener kits. It might be worth dropping him a PM.

Geoff

[RayD]

Thanks Goeff,

I'll do that. My search down the back of the dash revealed nothing, so I'm buggered if I know where the other one went to

Ray