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Soft Top Lock Problem

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Old Apr 3, 2011 | 04:43 PM
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Default Soft Top Lock Problem

One of the captured nuts on my top lock is MIA. I have removed all the trim and searched for the nut with no luck. I am sure it made it's way to the bottom of the bird cage somewhere.
Photo of windshield header attached
Can someone tell me if this is a square nut, like most captured nuts? The big question is how do I get a new one in there and hold it in place?
Has anyone had this problem and can you share the solution?
Thank you,
George


Last edited by Aflyer; Apr 3, 2011 at 04:47 PM.
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Old Apr 3, 2011 | 04:57 PM
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How about a rivnut?
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Old Apr 3, 2011 | 10:17 PM
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Default Soft Top Lock Problem

5thvet,
Well you are going to have to help me out here. I don't know what a rivnut is.
I have checked the AIM and the service manual, & can't find any information.
The other three nuts for the top locks are there, there just is no way to see what they look like.

Thank you for your response.

George
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Old Apr 3, 2011 | 10:30 PM
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Default Rivnut

http://www.cardinalcomponents.com/

Pretty handy little wickerbills...............or was it a whatchamacallit?

HTH
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Old Apr 3, 2011 | 11:31 PM
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Default Convertible top latch

HTH,
Ah ha rivnuts, well we learn something new everyday. A great solution for many projects. I am afraid for this application though I will lose the ability for adjustment on the top latches. The other question I have is; with that rivnut flange will the reveal moulding?
Anybody tried the rivnut on this application?
Thank you,
George
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Old Apr 4, 2011 | 11:06 AM
  #6  
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gcooper,
Not real sure about the reveal molding clearance but I am sure you could file down the rivnut flare a bit. Also not sure if anyone has used them for this application or not. They are used a lot in C-2's for the attachment of the spare tire tub since the threaded holes in the crossmenber is thin where they attach and they often strip.

Don
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Old Apr 4, 2011 | 02:17 PM
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George,
While the original nut is a "captured" nut, it provides only enough movement for alignment of the receivers. The alignment (tight/loose), of the top frame is provided by the latch on the top frame. I think that a riv-nut would probably work fine. I personally use "Nutserts" by Lawson Products, but I think that they are the same thing. For a 1/4" X 20 screw, at least with the "nutserts", you have to have a 3/8" hole. If I remember right, that's about the size of the hole already in the frame. There is plenty of room behind the frame, and the nutsert will end up flush with the frame when it is set, so it won't interfere with your stainless. http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/1_4...t_p/a10276.htm

Good luck,
Mike Coletta
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Old Apr 4, 2011 | 08:31 PM
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Default Soft Top Lock Problem

Mike,
Thank you very much for your input. You are right the major adjustment is on the top latch, not the receiver as I was thinking. The receiver probably does not have to be able to move very much for alignment.
I looked at the site provided and this does look another alternative.
I am going to try to put a new square nut in there and see how it works out.
If that fails to pan out the nutsert and the rivnut both look like good options.
Thanks again,
George
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