How to fix those stripped battery box cover fender lip screws

[dave6666]

I really thought that the 2.7625 inch pounds of torque I was using would be OK. But they are finally all stripped.

You know, these:

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Right here...

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You could use some oversize screws.

Regular rivet nuts won't work on this flexible plastic.

So I used some rivet nuts made for materials like the plastic cover. McMaster Carr part number 97217A376.

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I prefer black screws, but have these SS hex head 10-32 machine screws and 3/4 OD washers for now.

No more 2.7625 inch pounds of torque to ruin my day.

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[FATHERFORD]

FILTHY!!!!

Vipers are garage queens, they should never be that dirty!


Good tip though dave.

 

[dave6666]

FILTHY!!!!

Vipers are garage queens, they should never be that dirty!

I'm trying to decide if you're the wind in my sail, or the thorn in my side...

Actually, I do keep the wheel wells clean, as well as the suspension. The car has been in the garage being modded for a couple months now, and I don't recall what puddle jumped out in front of me as I pulled in the driveway that last time. Cleaning them for photo ops has been low on the list.

I did clean the fender lip real good for the final pic though. Mail me some Twinkies and a six-pack of long necks for a prize
and we'll be pals again.

 

[FATHERFORD]

I'm trying to decide if you're the wind in my sail, or the thorn in my side...

Actually, I do keep the wheel wells clean, as well as the suspension. The car has been in the garage being modded for a couple months now, and I don't recall what puddle jumped out in front of me as I pulled in the driveway that last time. Cleaning them for photo ops has been low on the list.

I did clean the fender lip real good for the final pic though. Mail me some Twinkies and a six-pack of long necks for a prize
and we'll be pals again.

Just giving you hell.... I haven't cleaned my undercarriage/wheel wells since I have owned it. I worry about driving it more then how dirty it is under the car.

Although this weekend I do plan on putting it up on a lift and giving it a good inspection/cleaning underneath.

 

[ViperTony]

Great tip Dave. I feel really lazy this morning and I don't feel like searching your posts for all of your great McMaster part numbers. I don't suppose you can list all of the parts you've utilized from McMaster for me? There's a box of Suzy Q's in it for you.

 

[dave6666]

Great tip Dave. I feel really lazy this morning and I don't feel like searching your posts for all of your great McMaster part numbers. I don't suppose you can list all of the parts you've utilized from McMaster for me? There's a box of Suzy Q's in it for you.

Double up on some Ding-Dongs and **-**'s and I'll have the McMaster rep bring pizzas over to discuss your needs. Or are those pizza pies in your neighborhood?


Brinnnng, Brinnnng, Brinnnng.

"Hello, Domino's Pizza #476 in Burleson, How may I help you?"

"Uh, yeah, this is Dave with the Viper. Ya'll still deliverin' pizza pies this late?"

"Sir, we don't have pizza pies here. We sell pizza."

"Tony said I could call them pies. Tony's got a Viper too. Ya'll better start calling them cheesy things pizza pies."

"Yes sir, Dave with Viper. Tony sounds like a gangsta name. We don't want no trouble here in Texas."

"Yeah, and bring me some beer with those pies. Ya'll done wore me out all this 'splaining I got to do."

 

[SYNFULL]

Are any special tools needed- or do the rivet nuts compress when you tighten the screws in?
Thanks

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Seems you've slowed your car down with all that added extra new weight.

 

[PatentLaw]

Well done fix. Thanks for sharing. As people actually have to replace their batteries, they will see the benefit of this.

 

[-FROG-]

Nice fix!

 

[dave6666]

Are any special tools needed- or do the rivet nuts compress when you tighten the screws in?
Thanks

You have to use a rivet nut setting tool. A screw might be able to finish setting them, but the initial force required to get them started is a little high.

And once you have a rivet nut tool you can do all kinds of areas. Here's my list I've done while doing my side exhaust conversion:

Battery box cover
Side sills
Door hinge covers
Collector heat shields to footwell
Passenger footwell heat shield inside (drilled out spot welds for access to DynaMat there)
Rubber shift boot

Those all had stripped sheet metal screws.

Also, from a previous project, the Roe duct under pan, instead of riveting it solid. With rivet nuts and screws, it can be removed for cleaning now, and for access to coolant drain plug.

 

[ViperTony]

Double up on some Ding-Dongs and **-**'s and I'll have the McMaster rep bring pizzas over to discuss your needs. Or are those pizza pies in your neighborhood?


Brinnnng, Brinnnng, Brinnnng.

"Hello, Domino's Pizza #476 in Burleson, How may I help you?"

"Uh, yeah, this is Dave with the Viper. Ya'll still deliverin' pizza pies this late?"

"Sir, we don't have pizza pies here. We sell pizza."

"Tony said I could call them pies. Tony's got a Viper too. Ya'll better start calling them cheesy things pizza pies."

"Yes sir, Dave with Viper. Tony sounds like a gangsta name. We don't want no trouble here in Texas."

"Yeah, and bring me some beer with those pies. Ya'll done wore me out all this 'splaining I got to do."

I'll tell you what....my local Stop & Shop has a 2 for 1 sale on all their Little Debbie snack cake stuff. I'll fill up a freight truck with it and ship it down to you so long as I don't have to read through all of your posts to get the McMaster part numbers.

 

[twinturbo3150]

nice litle doit yourselfer