Armrest repair help
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 146
Likes: 5
From: North Brunswick New Jersey
Take door apart, hold metal dolly behind stripped hole, tap distorted screw hole metal back down with appropriate hammer. Test stock screw until satisfied. Reassemble. Don't over-tighten.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Tapping the metal down to tighten it up is the best idea. The plastic inserts will work in drywall and wood, but the thin sheet metal doesn't give that insert any surface to grip. I think it will just spin on the end of the screw, instead of allowing the screw to engage with it.
You could try plugging it with JB Weld [putty] stick epoxy, then pre-drilling hole with a smaller drill bit. As with any of those panel screws, excessive torque is the 'enemy'.
You could try plugging it with JB Weld [putty] stick epoxy, then pre-drilling hole with a smaller drill bit. As with any of those panel screws, excessive torque is the 'enemy'.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Actually the drywall anchors work quite well when secured with a dab of JB Weld.
If you are speaking of the nose of the armrest a speed nut will do the job.
I owned the 1979 from 1986 to 2003.
If you are speaking of the nose of the armrest a speed nut will do the job.
I owned the 1979 from 1986 to 2003.
Last edited by Paul L; Feb 9, 2017 at 06:28 PM.
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
A professional method to provide a solid mounting point in a thin surface such as sheet metal or fiberglass, is to install a threaded insert. These inserts (sometimes called a threadsert, rivet-nut, or a rivnut) install in a very similar manner to a regular rivet. There are specific tools to install them, but they can also be installed without a special tool.
Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive light-duty version of the tool with 4 sizes of aluminum inserts:
http://www.harborfreight.com/45-piec...-kit-1210.html
In Canada, Princess Auto sells the same tool:
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detai...it/A-p2925204e
Google will lead you to plenty of info, pics, and videos about these inserts.
Harbor Freight sells an inexpensive light-duty version of the tool with 4 sizes of aluminum inserts:
http://www.harborfreight.com/45-piec...-kit-1210.html
In Canada, Princess Auto sells the same tool:
http://www.princessauto.com/en/detai...it/A-p2925204e
Google will lead you to plenty of info, pics, and videos about these inserts.
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