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MG MGA - Screw Holes

How do you handle screw holes that have gone bad?

I have a couple places where DPO's have used screws that are too big and stand proud or most often have gotten retapped such that the screw is going in at an angle.

I'm hesitant to just put a dollop of weld in the spot because it will be too thick to re drill easily.

Expertice?
Tysen McCarthy

Pop rivets?
David k Brenchley

Depends on the location, metal thickness, duty etc.
You could braze the hole if you are worried about weld hardness, but a good centre punch should keep the drill in place.
Where are your problem holes?
Art Pearse

Art,

They wander around a number of places, but the ones that are bothering me today are the ones that hold the escutcheons at the end of the fur flex around the door jambs.

I'm not a great welder and my experience is that I get a lump of weld inside the hole that causes the drill to move off center. brazing might be the right answer.
Tysen McCarthy

How about soldering a small piece of sheet steel behind the original hole and re-drilling? This is a self tapper? Or even epoxy the piece of sheet in place.
But if it were me, I'd weld it closed, smooth off the face with a Dremel and re-drill using a jig if necessary to locate the hole.

Art Pearse

Alternatively, drill out the hole, fit a nutsert and use a stainless steel machine screw to suit the nutsert.
Chris at Octarine Services

An old trick is to cut one (or two) slivers of metal, fold them into a 'U' shape and put one side of the U into the hole with the other side outside. Then replace the screw.

Regards
Colin
Colin Manley

Here's the problem I'm trying to solve. You can see how the screw isn't seating properly.

Tysen McCarthy

Tysen
Yes, the trick I described will close up the hole enabling you to put the correct smaller diameter screw in place. You may a few slivers of metal 'U's to close it up sufficiently.

Regards
Colin
Colin Manley

Problem is the hole is in thin sheet metal, no depth.
I would weld it and re drill
Art Pearse

Art
Yes, the trick mentioned is aimed at self tapping screws in sheet metal.
Colin Manley

This thread was discussed between 18/03/2017 and 20/03/2017

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