HELP! Wiper door dilemma!

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 20, 2001 | 08:07 PM

7t2vette

Thread Starter

The ORIGINAL and bestest

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 10,009

Likes: 240

From: Toronto Ontario

Toronto Events Coordinator

HELP! Wiper door dilemma!

Help please! I have a wiper door where the bolts broke off, and the previous owner drilled them out, and tapped the holes for 1/4-20 bolts.
Whats the problem, you ask? Well, three of the holes are okay, while the back hole one the driver's side was not drilled straight. It works, but it is really half-as*ed, and it bugs me! I am trying to come up with a way to fix it, or an alternate method of attachment to the linkage. Has anyone fixed this same problem? I know that the original bolts are notorious for breaking off when they are attempted to be removed. I don't think a heli-coil will work because it would require me to drill the holle straight, and insert the coil, but one side of the hole would be extra large due to the previous hole. Any suggestions out there?

Later

Bruce :chevy

Aug 20, 2001 | 09:08 PM

7t2vette

Thread Starter

The ORIGINAL and bestest

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 10,009

Likes: 240

From: Toronto Ontario

Toronto Events Coordinator

Re: HELP! Wiper door dilemma! (7t2vette)

anyone........? :confused:

Aug 20, 2001 | 09:14 PM

lyonsh

Drifting

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 1,908

Likes: 0

From: Manassas, VA, USA

Re: HELP! Wiper door dilemma! (7t2vette)

Fill up the hole with JB Weld, then drill it out straight and put in new bolts. Just a thought. :cheers:

Aug 20, 2001 | 09:20 PM

Steve Straus

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2000

Posts: 4,679

Likes: 6

From: Charles Town WV

Re: HELP! Wiper door dilemma! (7t2vette)

Drill it oversize and back it with a nut? Just a guess.

I haven't looked at my door yet, so I don't remember exactly how they attach. If I think of anything better I'll come back.

Aug 20, 2001 | 11:20 PM

7t2vette

Thread Starter

The ORIGINAL and bestest

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 10,009

Likes: 240

From: Toronto Ontario

Toronto Events Coordinator

Re: HELP! Wiper door dilemma! (7t2vette)

Any more suggestions out there? I am afraid to try the JB Weld thing, as I am unsure exactly how strong the stuff is. I don't want to drill out the hole and use it only to find it didn't work, and ruining my door in the process!

Aug 20, 2001 | 11:27 PM

ScubaJKD

Burning Brakes

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 831

Likes: 0

From: Reston VA

Re: HELP! Wiper door dilemma! (7t2vette)

Post a pick so we can mull it over and come up with some creative solutions. :rolleyes:

Aug 21, 2001 | 12:29 AM

69L71

Drifting

Joined: Mar 1999

Posts: 1,381

Likes: 15

From: Lusby MD

Re: HELP! Wiper door dilemma! (7t2vette)

3 solutions:

1) Drill and JB weld a new nutsert (threaded insert) into the hole (I did this)
2) Send the wiper door out for repair. I think Ecklers or one of the other major mail order guys have this service.
3) Get a new wiper door.

Aug 21, 2001 | 11:18 AM

Jughead

Senior Member since 1492

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 87,927

Likes: 156

From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...

St. Jude Donor '09

Re: HELP! Wiper door dilemma! (69L71)

I like the JB weld solution too. It's very strong stuff. Previous owner replaced the lower ball joints many years ago. When they were installed whomever drilled out the rivits missed the mark a couple times. I was driving around with a couple errant holes near the lower joint.

When I re-did my front suspension, I filled those hole in with JB weld. The actual ball joint bolt hole was also slightly enlarged(Bubba). I filled the gap with JB weld and redrilled to the correct size. The JB weld is still there. Strong stuff!