Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Tech tips and how to's

Moderators: notoptoy, bmccarthy67, S Allen, Solex68

111jag
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 114
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2015 12:58 pm

Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by 111jag »

While attaching the backup bracket I was able to tighten one bolt into the frame with the captive nut, but the second bolt broke free of the captive nut. The one bolt seems to be tight enough as the broken one is a bit loose but seems to hold the bracket. Should I just leave the broken one alone and call it a day, or if I do get it out is there a way to fix the captive nut? It looks as if the captive nuts are welded to the inside of the frame.
User avatar
Nissanman
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 3244
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:07 pm
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by Nissanman »

Game over I fear.
Just run with the one good fastener.
Nissanman, just trying to help.
1965 SP310 Engine No. G-93326 Car No. SP310-10817
http://nissanman.shutterfly.com/117
On the road again!
Habitat.pat
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 460
Joined: Thu Jul 07, 2016 8:29 pm
Location: Central Texas
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by Habitat.pat »

You could drill & tap another hole spaced out to match the bracket & move the light over or drill & tap 2 holes & move the light in or out. Plenty of material there.

Peace, Pat
67.5 SPL311 Stroker Restomod
We support Habitat for Humanity
A hand UP, not a hand OUT
User avatar
keith0alan
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 888
Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 10:07 am

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by keith0alan »

A rivnut might work.
User avatar
dads311
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 195
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2016 9:24 pm
Location: Emmett, Id.
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by dads311 »

I use rivnuts quite often when I lose a capture nut. looks like a rivet but is threaded inside and clamps down like a rivet.
PXL_20230319_191404386.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Mike
rebuilt dads 67.5 1600
1952 GMC 302ci 6cyl w/cam and 3 deuces
1965 Mustang (Wife's)
1971 Nova (Son Claimed)
User avatar
Mattk
Roadster Nut-Site Supporter
Posts: 659
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 1:49 pm
Location: DFW, TX
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by Mattk »

I also use rivnuts. There great for just this situation.
MattK
111jag
Roadster Fanatic
Posts: 114
Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2015 12:58 pm

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by 111jag »

I've never heard of rivnuts? Can you show a picture of it installed? Do they come in different sizes?
User avatar
Solex68
Site Supporter
Posts: 1986
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 3:30 pm
Location: Laguna Hills, CA
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by Solex68 »

111jag wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 8:32 pm I've never heard of rivnuts? Can you show a picture of it installed? Do they come in different sizes?
Short Video
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0301/ ... 1599786275
Greg a.k.a SOLEX68 - http://www.datsunvents.com/
Laguna Hills, CA
68 2000 U20
Always willing to help another Datsun Roadster owner
Pending installs: SS brake lines, Stan Stealth Dizzy
User avatar
Solex68
Site Supporter
Posts: 1986
Joined: Fri May 25, 2012 3:30 pm
Location: Laguna Hills, CA
Model: 2000
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by Solex68 »

Anyone have a recommendation for a RIVNUT tool? Any of the Amazon choices any good? Other options?
I've never seen one but it looks like a fun tool I could somewhere else, no plans to use it on my car.
Greg a.k.a SOLEX68 - http://www.datsunvents.com/
Laguna Hills, CA
68 2000 U20
Always willing to help another Datsun Roadster owner
Pending installs: SS brake lines, Stan Stealth Dizzy
User avatar
dads311
Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
Posts: 195
Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2016 9:24 pm
Location: Emmett, Id.
Model: 1500/1600
Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by dads311 »

Any of them on Amazon will work. I like the smaller one I have and it works well with the smaller bolts and screws. If I were going to be doing lots of 3/8 or 1/2 inch bots the 18 inch handles might be nice to have. You can also set them with a bolt and nut and maybe a couple washers by putting a bolt in the rivnut with a nut on the bolt, insert into the hole and tighten the nut down collapsing the rivnut. Much faster using the tool though.
Mike
rebuilt dads 67.5 1600
1952 GMC 302ci 6cyl w/cam and 3 deuces
1965 Mustang (Wife's)
1971 Nova (Son Claimed)
User avatar
redroadster
Roadsteraholic
Posts: 2077
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2013 10:58 am
Location: KCMO
Model: 1500/1600
Year: High Windshield-68-70

Re: Captive nut broke free while tightening backup light bracket?

Post by redroadster »

You can use a smaller screw instead of bolt and if to small a bit of MIG wire in the hole to shim.
Datsun dealer tech 76 to 87
Mitsubishi tech 9 yrs
Volvo, Kia, Toyota too
6 month - Rolls Royce
ASE MASTER TECH 96. - 11
70 SPL 86 Z31 T , Sportster