What size is this screw?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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What size is this screw?
The screws that hold down the TPS on an LT1? I broke one and I can't find anything that will fit. It's close to a 10-32, but not quite. Also on the metric end it falls right between a size 8 and size 10, but as nice as that is they don't sell a size 9 at Lowes. Do they even make a metric size 9?
I owe a friend two of these screws, they don't have to be Torx, they just have to fit. Any help would be appreciated.
I owe a friend two of these screws, they don't have to be Torx, they just have to fit. Any help would be appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 1
Re: What size is this screw? (Nathan Plemons)
It is a 4.5mm. You will probably have to go to a dealership or a specialty fastner company. Not to many places stock this size. You may want to contact a machine shop, I know the on I use has all kinds of weird bolts including a 4.5 mm screw.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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Re: What size is this screw? (snaketr)
Cool, there is a place here called Diamond Screw, they sell damn near anything with threads on it. I've got one that I'll take by there tomorrow and see if they can match it up. It just struck me as odd that they would use such a strange size, then use such a low quality part.
I was installing it with a 1/4 inch ratchet and barely tightened it to have it break clean off. I then switched to the screwdriver handle instead of the ratchet.
You guys are great, I mean honestly who would just happen to know that it's a 4.5mm ? :cheers:
I was installing it with a 1/4 inch ratchet and barely tightened it to have it break clean off. I then switched to the screwdriver handle instead of the ratchet.
You guys are great, I mean honestly who would just happen to know that it's a 4.5mm ? :cheers:
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: What size is this screw? (Nathan Plemons)
Hey Nathan,
If the company you mentioned doesnt have them,try a Lowes store that has the automotive/industrial fasteners sections.(Some Lowes Dont)
A Lowes I went to had automotive fasteners and etc in an aisle and I found those tiny screws I needed,for the TPS and the throttle body cover on top and bottom coolant cover.
They were Button Head screws so all you need is an allen key,plus they were made of a stronger metal and not that flimsy piece of junk the GM ones are.
Be sure to use anti seize on all TPS style screws.Even the GM ones seized in a throttle body on me and because they were so flimsy, the torx head snapped off like nothing.
Also they had numerous bolts and fasteners in grade 8 and higher in many sizes one could subsitute for the originals.
Keep us posted on.
:)
If the company you mentioned doesnt have them,try a Lowes store that has the automotive/industrial fasteners sections.(Some Lowes Dont)
A Lowes I went to had automotive fasteners and etc in an aisle and I found those tiny screws I needed,for the TPS and the throttle body cover on top and bottom coolant cover.
They were Button Head screws so all you need is an allen key,plus they were made of a stronger metal and not that flimsy piece of junk the GM ones are.
Be sure to use anti seize on all TPS style screws.Even the GM ones seized in a throttle body on me and because they were so flimsy, the torx head snapped off like nothing.
Also they had numerous bolts and fasteners in grade 8 and higher in many sizes one could subsitute for the originals.
Keep us posted on.
:)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,052
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From: Warrenville IL
Re: What size is this screw? (Nathan Plemons)
I mean honestly who would just happen to know that it's a 4.5mm ?
a different car with TPI, GM has used that 4.5mm for alteast the last 10-12 years.
I ran into the same problem, in fact alot of specialty screw companies didn't even carry this size.
There are a couple things you could do if you have trouble locating them.
You could re-tap the TB for a slightly larger standard size screw like a #10-32, which is what I did.
That way if you'll never have to worry about it again. Even better would be to use a heli-coil, which is what I should have done. Luckily I never had any problems with the retapping job despite the fact I was constantly adjusting my TPS.
You could get the screws from the dealer. Someone on the board here may even have some extras laying around in the garage.
Also alot of times when you order a new TPS you get new screws with it. Of course I would use this as a last resort since you would pay about $30-$40 for a new TPS just to get the screws.
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Re: What size is this screw? (nickd)
Also alot of times when you order a new TPS you get new screws with it. Of course I would use this as a last resort since you would pay about $30-$40 for a new TPS just to get the screws.
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Re: What size is this screw? (Nathan Plemons)
Just wondering, did you find the screws you needed?Was it at that place you mentioned?
I cant find a place around here that has misc auto screw sizes, the last Lowes ive found it at was in Indianapolis, but I live by Glasgow now and theres nothing around here except maybe if I drive to BG.The Lowes around here SUXS!!!
:)
I cant find a place around here that has misc auto screw sizes, the last Lowes ive found it at was in Indianapolis, but I live by Glasgow now and theres nothing around here except maybe if I drive to BG.The Lowes around here SUXS!!!
:)
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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Re: What size is this screw? (Bill's86Coupe)
No I haven't been out there yet because there is no big hurry on me getting the screws. If you get off on the Russelville road exit of the parkway and head towards BG, on your right you'll find this blue building called Diamond Screw, they have just about anything, but I'm pretty sure they are only open weekdays.
