Headlight Extensions.....Broken stems!

[240Zdragon72]

Today I was pulling off the headlight extensions and the hardware was rusted. Using a 8mm wrench to get the nuts off, they snapped the stems off. Found out that these extensions were made out of fiberglass. The stems are metal and the look like they were just "pressed" into the part. Does Nissan still make the stems for the bezals or will they have to be fabbed from the hardware store?

Thanks :tapemouth

[Ed]

It would probably be cheaper if you went and got some stainless metric bolts, cut the head off and replaced the broken ones. Carefully drill out the rest of the broken bolt and epoxy in the new ones.

[mull]

You should get some of these: http://www.biltema.se/Archive\Product_images\19\Huge\19-2248_h.jpg

Don't know the translation for it... "screw/bolt extractor" ?

You drill within the broken screw/bolt and then you put one of the extractor

in and when you turn it counter clock wise it enters the drilled hole until it

starts to extract the broken screw/bolt. They're cheap too, less than $3

here in Sweden.

[Bambikiller240]

Heaven help you if the extractor breaks (like they often do). It is HARDENED steel and when I broke one in a manifold stud I had to take the head to a machine shop ($$$$) to have the broken extractor and stud removed.

[240Zdragon72]

Thanks for your help guys. Looks like it's a trip downtown to ACE and find some new Hardware! Dosen't hurt to ask. :rambo:

[EScanlon]

Those Hardened Steel Extractors will not work on your Fibreglass imbedded Bolts. Not only will the bolt NOT screw out (it's imbedded, and not screwed in) but by the time you drill out enough of the center to insert the extractor you might as well drill out the bolt.

You must do as Ed said, drill out the old and imbed with epoxy, although I prefer the JB Weld.

Enrique

[240Zdragon72]

Is JB Weld better than Fiberglass Resin? Because, I have a whole bucket full of the Resin and I have never used JB.

[EScanlon]

The Fiberglass Resin, BY ITSELF, is not as strong as the JB Weld. The F. Resin is supposed to be used to impregnate fiberglass cloth or mat. It is the combination of the two that makes for it's strength. To cut up a bunch of little fibers to stick into the holes, I think would be more hazzle than the benefit derived.

Additionally, the amount of mixed resin you'll use for BOTH sugar scoops would probably be less than a tablespoon or two. The amount of catalyzer required for such an amount would be LESS than a drop (if memory is correct). If you add more, you'll "cook" it much faster and hotter than is good for it and you might crystalize the resin.

JB Weld on the other hand, uses equal parts of each of it's two parts. Making spot mixes much easier to do than with fiberglass. Additionally, it hardens to a substance that CAN be drilled and tapped with ease, whereas it is really tricky to tap fiberglass resin.

Last major difference, is that catalyzed fiberglass resin can be very runny, in the vicinity of maple syrup or more fluid. This makes it critical that you keep your workpiece positioned to NOT let the resin flow out. JB Weld on the other hand ends up being the consistency of toothpaste or thereabouts and will hold a vertical edge much better.

For the price of $5 you can usually find it in the hardware section, making it much cheaper than fiberglass.

2¢

Enrique

[240Zdragon72]

Thanks again. Without you guys, I would still be trying to figure out a lot of stuff. Hopefully I will be able to have them fixed and on the car by the weekend!