top fixing captured nut replace/repair

in process..
the captured nuts the 3 each [ per side] 1/4-28 fine thread ] nuts that affix the soft top on each side had .. got loose , .. usually i do not care for any soft top .. takes up too much room bejhind the seats [.. in winter when its freezing i want a hard top .. in summer when the heat beats down i want a hard top .. spring and fall or on summer midnight runs . [ or day if its a short[ 50 miles] go .. no top at all..

welll i dismounted the soft top and was saddened when the nuts fell .. what to do . [ this was years ago.. . so for temporary fix wjhen i trailer hauled fom utah to tennesee[ memorable photo. wifey shot , the big brown bronco with the MG on trailer with the GateWay Arch in the background, on the big road rolling]]

i used bent nails , works .. however.. when a manic.. i mean mechanic . wanted to lower the soft top and failed to notice the bent nail method he ripped the ,,,, out of the side panels ,, such is life .. id rather have tan than black anyway..

so as advised here i sourced nutcerts to fix .. real fine ,, except i got the rivet certs since i wanted the locking keys.. rivit cets did not work.. i suppose my material was too thin or the things were faulty since when i attempted install the threads shelld out of the inserts , before getting a tight installation ,,i had searched for years for a Q zized drill bit ,. napa knew what i wanted , every one else looked at me as if i were a mad man .. Q=0.332... as it turns out an 11/32 is about right with what was shipped.. , with the tool i got a regular netcert.. it installed good ,, then i needed 5 more nut certs,,
[ pics if requested]
what a nice vendor , shipping me 10 nutcerts , just a dollar each delivered.. .
that might seem a lot , but it will restore the operability of soft top , no nut certs available around here for sure..

so if you are puzzling about what to do about captive 1/4 - 28 fixing nuts for the soft top that have come adrift ,, i suggest sourcing from

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/

they don't play games with shipping charges.. nuts for less than a buck a throw .. delivered..

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productselection.asp?Product=655

m

Michael-

How about a picture. Would like to see your work.

one picture is the installed nutcert.. the fresh hack saw scaring is a result of cutting off a rivit cert that failed to tighten enough , ,, could be one of several reasons for that , other pic is an over view of area , showing installed nutcert, a hole waiting and the tool [ untightened ] the tool is on a rivit cert vice nut cert,, i am waiting for the dollar a wack part.. .

if you need/wish further , ask

I had one blow out and used a cage nut after I filed the hole square.

Mine had failed as well. Fix for me was to weld in some fine thread flange nuts.

The flange is large enough diameter to weld on to. Grind off excess and it's better than new!

http://www.boltdepot.com/product.aspx?cc=7&cs=110&cm=28

Why not cut a piece of 1/4" steel and drill and tap with three holes for the top mount and a fourth in the center or off to one side to hold it in place? Then remove what's left of the old weldnuts and slip the new plate in place and hold it with the fourth bolt?

BTW, I tried the poprivit repairs using aluminum rivnuts and it worked-for all of one day before the aluminum threads failed.

I used steel rivetnuts in other areas. I bought them in a kit at NAPA a long time ago. For the top I would have gone with the 1/4" plate as stated above because if it came loose before, the rivetnuts are not as strong as the original captive nuts. IMHO

thats a good solution Gerry , a fourth fixing bolt would fit neatly in the center..hidden by the support bow for the cockpit cover [ can't spell the T word today ..]

however, i have no 1/4 inch stock and no thread taps, ..

the steel nutcerts may or may not last.. should be no longitudinal forces on these attachments , only lateral[shear] forces ..
i am happy with my 10 dollar solution for now..

time will tell...

Two of the three on my drivers side are gone. But, right now the entire 1/4 panel is gone as well. I've plenty of room to weld new captive nuts in place. Love the idea of the flange nuts. I had sourced some regular (read-that: small) nuts, but the flange will work great!

aint't it wonderful ...>>> world wild net worki...
inital post was to pump my vednor for excellent service .. ..

m