Chrome Screws for Sport Mirrors - Home Depot?

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Buck62, Sep 14, 2018.

  1. Buck62

    Buck62 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2017
    Messages:
    168
    Likes Received:
    61
    Trophy Points:
    101
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chicago IL
    Vehicle:
    1974 Mercury Comet (Base)
    Hey all...
    Is anyone using non-factory screws and nuts to secure their side sport mirrors? I'm more concerned about any reasons to 'not' use certain screws and nuts.
    Must they be factory?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2004
    Messages:
    6,495
    Likes Received:
    938
    Trophy Points:
    426
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    70 Maverick Grabber, 72 Maverick Grabber Restomod
    The factory used a rivnut / nutsert fixed to the door skin and a 10/24 screw. Staying with the factory way makes it easy to take the mirror off should you need to service or fix it. As there is no need to pull the door panel (like you would if you had a nut in there to secure)

    The nutserts are actually easy to install and a I have done dozens of them. The only way I could see not doing it with the nutsert is if the hole is damaged and requires use of a washer and nut.
     
  3. Acornridgeman

    Acornridgeman MCCI Wisconsin State Rep Moderator Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2004
    Messages:
    6,495
    Likes Received:
    938
    Trophy Points:
    426
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    70 Maverick Grabber, 72 Maverick Grabber Restomod
  4. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2018
    Messages:
    890
    Likes Received:
    527
    Trophy Points:
    236
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    75 Comet
    I suggest using stainless machine screws(y)
     
    jasonwthompson likes this.
  5. CaptainComet

    CaptainComet Large Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2007
    Messages:
    4,982
    Likes Received:
    434
    Trophy Points:
    413
    Location:
    Clearwater, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Comet
    jasonwthompson and BBMS18 like this.
  6. Buck62

    Buck62 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2017
    Messages:
    168
    Likes Received:
    61
    Trophy Points:
    101
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chicago IL
    Vehicle:
    1974 Mercury Comet (Base)
    Thanks for the advice so far!
    I'll definitely go with stainless screws.

    Here's my situation...

    I drilled 1/8" starter holes that line up with each of the sport mirror mounting holes on both sides. Since then, our Comet has just had all the body work done and a custom paint job. The thought of putting one wrench over another to install rivnuts makes me worry that one small slip of the hand will destroy the new paint. That, or buying a tool that I will probably only use once seems a bit wasteful.
    I'm thinking that well nuts (rubber expansion nuts) would work just fine to hold something as light as a side mirror. I can get well nuts and stainless screws at my local Ace Hardware store or Menards. Since they sell the same type of nuts at both CJ Pony Parts and at Melvin's, I'm thinking that will work?? I posted a pic below showing two different sizes of well nuts.
    (I know the screws are wrong... they're just for illustration).

    The size 8 screw (on the left) requires a 1/4" hole for the well nut.
    The size 10 screw (on the right) requires a 3/8" hole for the slightly larger well nut.
    Is it better to go with a size 10 screw?

    Also... Do you guys know what the proper length of the screws are? I don't want them hitting the windows.

    Need advice on this a.s.a.p. !!

    Thanks
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Sep 23, 2018
  7. Krazy Comet

    Krazy Comet Tom

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2012
    Messages:
    7,574
    Likes Received:
    2,337
    Trophy Points:
    531
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chesapeake VA
    Vehicle:
    1972 Comet GT clone 306 . 1969 Fairlane Cobra 428CJ 1988 T-Bird awaiting 331 ..
    Best I remember, the sport mirrors on my Cobra Jet are held in place with sill plate screws, directly through the sheet metal. I know I never installed inserts and it wasn't optioned with sport mirrors. Mirrors have been on it since mid '70s, but it rarely gets wet.
     
    BBMS18 likes this.
  8. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2018
    Messages:
    890
    Likes Received:
    527
    Trophy Points:
    236
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    75 Comet
    You can cover the area around the mirror with masking tape to protect the paint while installing the rivnuts.
    IMHO, you may have the mirrors vibrate if using rubber expansion nuts and possibly chip the paint.
    I would use sheet metal screws like Krazy Comet suggested before the rubber expansion nuts.
     
  9. 73curtis

    73curtis Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Messages:
    599
    Likes Received:
    91
    Trophy Points:
    91
    Location:
    ohio
    Vehicle:
    1972
    Well nuts , easy and work perfect
     
  10. 73curtis

    73curtis Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Messages:
    599
    Likes Received:
    91
    Trophy Points:
    91
    Location:
    ohio
    Vehicle:
    1972
    Lowe’s for well nuts and screws , never had an issue with well nuts.
     
  11. 73curtis

    73curtis Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Messages:
    599
    Likes Received:
    91
    Trophy Points:
    91
    Location:
    ohio
    Vehicle:
    1972
     
  12. BBMS18

    BBMS18 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2018
    Messages:
    890
    Likes Received:
    527
    Trophy Points:
    236
    Location:
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    Vehicle:
    75 Comet
    ROFLMAO
    Looks like 1 vote no on the well nuts.....
    And 3 votes yes!
     
  13. Buck62

    Buck62 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 15, 2017
    Messages:
    168
    Likes Received:
    61
    Trophy Points:
    101
    Garage:
    1
    Location:
    Chicago IL
    Vehicle:
    1974 Mercury Comet (Base)
    I figured well nuts would do the trick.
    But I can also see where using a stainless screw directly into the hole would work, too.

    You're right, BBMS18. It looks like well nuts are the top vote-getter right now.
     
  14. 73curtis

    73curtis Member

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2014
    Messages:
    599
    Likes Received:
    91
    Trophy Points:
    91
    Location:
    ohio
    Vehicle:
    1972
    Just make sure you use the correct size drill bit !!
     
  15. CaptainComet

    CaptainComet Large Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2007
    Messages:
    4,982
    Likes Received:
    434
    Trophy Points:
    413
    Location:
    Clearwater, FL
    Vehicle:
    72 Comet
    I definitely appreciate not wanting to scratch paint. I would also think that rubber well nuts would have a little bounce to them, and wonder if that translates to the mirror vibrating.
    You can see my method for installing rivnuts in this thread. Pretty safe ...

    http://mmb.maverick.to/threads/moving-sports-mirrors-forward.94298/
     
    BBMS18 likes this.

Share This Page