MGB MGB sunvisor rivets [and now cracked glass]

[eschneider]

Thought I'd run this by the MGB experts before testing the waters with both feet, especially since I'm neck deep in the water anyway.....

Here's the story.... Customer comes in with floppy visors. The visor rivets are loose, so I drilled out the old ones, and popped a couple of new ones in place. THOSE came loose, so I drilled the new ones out, and the drill bit hit the corner of the windscreen glass and cracked it.

So now that I've purchased a new windscreen for the customer (and rubber seal, and the frame-to-body gasket....) and disassembled the frame assebly using a can of PB blaster, a jewller's torch, and 3 busted screw extractors.....

I really don't want to use rivets again. On a new frame, I could have prbably threaded the holes and used a threaded fastener, but the holes are enlarged - if not from the rivets being sloppy, then from some dope drilling the old ones out over and over again..... *cough*

So here are my thoughts about how I might sink deeper into the hole I'm digging:

1) use a 10-32 screw and thin nut (the back side of the pop-rivets protrude into the frame anyway....)
2) attempt to use a heli-coil insert into the frame, maybe with a build-up of epoxy on the back side
3) use rivets again with panel bonder to glue the visor brackets in place (won't work for the rubber bits, though)

 

[RonMacPherson]

Have you explored the possibility, instead of thin nuts, of using a riv-nut type fastener?

One where the nut is inserted into the drilled hole, then tightened where the body collapsing expands and captures the nut, kinda like a drywall fastener used in home repairs..

 

[DrEntropy]

I like Ron's suggestion best. The only issue is how intrusive the ends of the riv-nuts will be when putting the rubber and glass back in. The inserts can likely be skeined down in the channel after installed/expanded and will likely hold the screws snugly enuff. Cut the 10-32's so they can't touch the glass and use LocTite on 'em.

Make all channel paths clear of interference before you reassemble and be VERY aware of which screws go into which holes. There are differing lengths for different holes. That replacement job is hateful in the BEST of circumstances. No need to make it harder.


We won't ask what prompted ya to use a drill that close to a piece of temper'd glass, either. :smirk:

 

[eschneider]

We won't ask what prompted ya to use a drill that close to a piece of temper'd glass, either. :smirk:

<laugh> stoopid is a stoopid does......

I NOW know that when an MGB owner says "I'd like to fix my floppy windscreen visors", the EDUCATED answer is "bite me"

Thanks for the nut-sert / riv-nut idea.

 

[DrEntropy]

Anything to DO with an MGB windshield should elicit the same response.

...OR you could explain it'll be a complete replacement, for close to $500. There's very little "wiggle room" on that.

The things were DESING'D to break yer heart!