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Trapped nuts - headlight

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 10:56 am
by southerly95
Hi - I'm replacing the n/s headlight bits and although 2 screws came out with some coaxing the other 2 b.....s broke off leaving the rusted screw shank and trap nut as one.

Possible solutions are:

1) Drill the screw shank out and recut the thread, i've never managed this in situ without breaking loads of drill bits.

2) Cut the top off the trap nut surround and then get it in the vice to sort.

What els ecould I try? Thanks, john

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 3:44 pm
by mike.perry
Replace the headlamp bowls with plastic ones and replace the other fittings which must be pretty rusty.

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 4:35 pm
by bmcecosse
It's always nasty when your nuts get trapped. As mp says - throw them away - and fit new plastic shells (use brass nuts/bolts) - and don't worry about them ever again!

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 4:54 pm
by Dean
bmcecosse wrote:It's always nasty when your nuts get trapped.
Most definitely.. avoid treading on them at all costs!

Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2009 6:02 pm
by PSL184
I've just had the same problem - The rotton metal bowl is in the bin and a new plastic one is going in - I've just got one fixing screw that broke off to drill out the wing then it will be brass nuts and bolts holding the new bowl in too....