johnwill Posted September 1, 2020 Report Share Posted September 1, 2020 As per the title, one of my Surrey hardtop roof panel fixing nuts has finally lost the ability to grip the bolt tightly. any ideas on the best way to resolve this? thanks john Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR4Tony VC Posted September 1, 2020 Report Share Posted September 1, 2020 Hi The problem is that basically the Steel square nut worries the cage so that it deforms and the nut spins. You need to stop it doing that. Plastic metal works. Mix it up and carefully insert a good amount so that it fixes the nut in place. if the threads are stripped you can also use plastic metal and drill and tap a thread set in. It won’t last forever but stands up to moderate use. the only real way to fix it is to remove the old nut and cage and replace but it’s not an easy job or in the case of an aluminium lid rivet in a new nut and cage or insert a rivnut, but the latter is not neat. Regards Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drewmotty Posted September 1, 2020 Report Share Posted September 1, 2020 You will need to ease back the headlining and all will become clear. I had to make new cage nuts for mine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnwill Posted September 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2020 (edited) The nut is not spinning, it’s just the threads that are very worn, but plastic metal is an option for that I guess. The lid doesn’t come off and on that often, so could last a while? The lid is steel. Are the cage nuts easily accessible once the headlining is moved? Edited September 1, 2020 by johnwill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted September 2, 2020 Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) The cage nuts are spot welded to a plate that in turn is spot welded to the front edge of the frame (presumably your talking about the front as the rears are different) you could if required ease the head lining back and then drill the spot welds out to remove the plate and then repair with the plate on the bench and then refit or as Tony says get some tape under the nut to stop excess going through and then fill the nut with likes of JB Weld and then redrill and tap. Stuart. Edited September 2, 2020 by stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jerrytr5 Posted September 2, 2020 Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 Replace them all with studs (use loctite or araldite on the worn one). Makes it so much easier to fit the lid as you can just spin the nuts on instead of trying to locate the bolt. Jerry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnwill Posted September 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 (edited) Thanks for the advice everyone. Food for thought. ive put a slightly larger dia bolt in at the moment, it’s holding but it’s not ideal. I had considered putting a stud in. Still an option. anyone know the original thread size of the bolts/captive nuts please? Edited September 2, 2020 by johnwill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrytr5 Posted September 2, 2020 Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 Think it is 5/16th unf. Regards Harry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tr graham Posted September 2, 2020 Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 5/16th in the front. 3/8th in the back graham Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnwill Posted September 2, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2020 Thanks all Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tim hunt Posted September 3, 2020 Report Share Posted September 3, 2020 Odd but on my car the threads are 5/16th UNF front and rear. Maybe a PO made the change on Graham's car. I have the original bolts at the front but fitted studs at the rear as Jerry suggests - much facilitates fitment. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnwill Posted September 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 On 9/1/2020 at 7:39 PM, Drewmotty said: You will need to ease back the headlining and all will become clear. I had to make new cage nuts for mine. What’s involved in easing back the headlining? (Just got back onto this job) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrytr5 Posted September 13, 2021 Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 These might help. I made the cage nuts and cage Regards Harry Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnwill Posted September 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2021 56 minutes ago, harrytr5 said: These might help. I made the cage nuts and cage Regards Harry Great help, thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.