The arm rest screws on my 68 convertible keep pulling out of the door frame. I have been using oversized sheetmetal screws and they hold for a while but then they pull out too. Has anyone ever fixed lis more long term. I have considered epoxing nuts and using machine screws. Thanks Keith
License Plate Plastic Screw Inserts Keith, I have used license plate mounting plastic inserts (white square plastic pieces with the hole in the center) that come in most license plate mounting kits when I have stripped out sheet metal in the past. You can find these license plate mounting kits at most auto stores in the Dorman or the HELP! section. These are the white plastic pieces that hold the screws that hold the license plate to the bumper on most older cars. First you drill a hole with a unibit, and then snap the plastic license plate nut in the hole. Obviously, make sure that the hole you drill is a tight fit for the plastic insert. You should even file the hole square for a tighter fit. It must be tight or you will pull the plastic insert out of the door when you close the door. After you snap the plastic insert piece in, you then use the appropriate sheet metal screw size in the plastic insert to hold the armrest on since you cannot use the screws in the license plate kit. The screw will spread the tabs out in the back of the plastic insert and make a nice, tight fit, preventing it from coming out. The only other option is to weld the hole shut and redrill it. Hope this idea helps. Ken
Ken, thanks for the tip. I take it from the above message that I would drill a larger hole and then file out the corners to get the insert to fit as it is square? If I am going to get it welded I would probably have a backing plate with a nut welded to it tcaked in right. I don't have a welder so I would need to have a friend help me out on that one. Thanks Keith
repair Kens method is a good one. that way if the plastic does ever strip out you can just replace it with another one.
