Louver stud repair
#1
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Louver stud repair
So I picked up an '87 IROC some time back and the majority of the studs on the hood louvers were busted off. I decided to replace the plastic studs with bolts and am hoping this will fix the problem for good.
So here is how I did it:
Started off by carefully breaking off the remaining studs with some needle nose pliers, and then using my die grinder with a carbide bit, I ground the remaining material down so it was flush.
Next I took sixteen 1/4"-20 x 1/2" round headed bolts and ground them flat with my angle grinder ,so they would sit flush in the holes. I also used some metric flat washers so that there would be more surface area for the epoxy to adhere to.
Next I mixed up the two part epoxy per the directions and added a good amount to each hole. Then all of the bolts with washers were added and I made sure all of the bolts were positioned real well.
I let both of the louvers dry undisturbed for a few days and then bolted them to the car using some rubber backed washers and 1/4"-20 nuts. You want to make sure you don't over tighten them or you run the risk of breaking the epoxy loose. Also once I get the car painted I'm going to use some loctite on them to make sure they don't back off.
So that's pretty much it and I hope this gives you an idea of how easy this is to fix. I spent right at $15 for all of the hardware and epoxy which is a heck of a lot cheaper than $300+ for new louvers lol!
So here is how I did it:
Started off by carefully breaking off the remaining studs with some needle nose pliers, and then using my die grinder with a carbide bit, I ground the remaining material down so it was flush.
Next I took sixteen 1/4"-20 x 1/2" round headed bolts and ground them flat with my angle grinder ,so they would sit flush in the holes. I also used some metric flat washers so that there would be more surface area for the epoxy to adhere to.
Next I mixed up the two part epoxy per the directions and added a good amount to each hole. Then all of the bolts with washers were added and I made sure all of the bolts were positioned real well.
I let both of the louvers dry undisturbed for a few days and then bolted them to the car using some rubber backed washers and 1/4"-20 nuts. You want to make sure you don't over tighten them or you run the risk of breaking the epoxy loose. Also once I get the car painted I'm going to use some loctite on them to make sure they don't back off.
So that's pretty much it and I hope this gives you an idea of how easy this is to fix. I spent right at $15 for all of the hardware and epoxy which is a heck of a lot cheaper than $300+ for new louvers lol!
#2
Member
Re: Louver stud repair
Thanks for the write up. I was trying to figure out a way to repair my louver. This will help me a lot. Should make this a stickie.
#3
Supreme Member
Re: Louver stud repair
Just a suggestion if you are going to do something like this then drill some holes in the bolt head. That way epoxy goes through the holes, it will be much stronger.
#4
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Re: Louver stud repair
Great write up man. Have you drivent the car with them since as I just worry they wont hold is all.
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Re: Louver stud repair
old post, but would you happen to have the pics?
I've got an idea what and how you did it...
How did it hold up?
I've got an idea what and how you did it...
How did it hold up?
So I picked up an '87 IROC some time back and the majority of the studs on the hood louvers were busted off. I decided to replace the plastic studs with bolts and am hoping this will fix the problem for good.
So here is how I did it:
Started off by carefully breaking off the remaining studs with some needle nose pliers, and then using my die grinder with a carbide bit, I ground the remaining material down so it was flush.
Next I took sixteen 1/4"-20 x 1/2" round headed bolts and ground them flat with my angle grinder ,so they would sit flush in the holes. I also used some metric flat washers so that there would be more surface area for the epoxy to adhere to.
Next I mixed up the two part epoxy per the directions and added a good amount to each hole. Then all of the bolts with washers were added and I made sure all of the bolts were positioned real well.
I let both of the louvers dry undisturbed for a few days and then bolted them to the car using some rubber backed washers and 1/4"-20 nuts. You want to make sure you don't over tighten them or you run the risk of breaking the epoxy loose. Also once I get the car painted I'm going to use some loctite on them to make sure they don't back off.
So that's pretty much it and I hope this gives you an idea of how easy this is to fix. I spent right at $15 for all of the hardware and epoxy which is a heck of a lot cheaper than $300+ for new louvers lol!
So here is how I did it:
Started off by carefully breaking off the remaining studs with some needle nose pliers, and then using my die grinder with a carbide bit, I ground the remaining material down so it was flush.
Next I took sixteen 1/4"-20 x 1/2" round headed bolts and ground them flat with my angle grinder ,so they would sit flush in the holes. I also used some metric flat washers so that there would be more surface area for the epoxy to adhere to.
Next I mixed up the two part epoxy per the directions and added a good amount to each hole. Then all of the bolts with washers were added and I made sure all of the bolts were positioned real well.
I let both of the louvers dry undisturbed for a few days and then bolted them to the car using some rubber backed washers and 1/4"-20 nuts. You want to make sure you don't over tighten them or you run the risk of breaking the epoxy loose. Also once I get the car painted I'm going to use some loctite on them to make sure they don't back off.
So that's pretty much it and I hope this gives you an idea of how easy this is to fix. I spent right at $15 for all of the hardware and epoxy which is a heck of a lot cheaper than $300+ for new louvers lol!
#7
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Re: Louver stud repair
Last edited by jharrison5; 11-05-2015 at 07:33 PM.
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#8
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Re: Louver stud repair
Also be a good time to give them a coat of paint, help keep the sun off the plastic. I used satin black and a coat of clear to get the right look.
#9
Member
Re: Louver stud repair
I think it would be very important to make sure you put the hood insulation back in place after using epoxy. Heat weakens epoxy. In fact it is one of the few ways and in my opinion the easiest way to remove epoxy when needed. A hard dryer and a little prying and epoxy usually comes apart pretty easily. I have 4 sets of louvers I have snagged from Pick n Pull over the years and all of them have some broken studs. I'm going to try this technique on a set. But as noted, I am going to make sure to use the insulation!
#10
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Re: Louver stud repair
Yes insulation is important.
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Re: Louver stud repair
That makes sense due to the metal picking up the heat and transferring it. Wouldn’t heat resistant epoxy be a good option?
#12
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Re: Louver stud repair
I worry about the epoxy's ability to hold the bond with metal well. I would be interested in knowing how much force it would take to pull one out. The best way might be to fill the "hole" with epoxy, put the bolt in the hole and then cover the bolt head with more epoxy and put a plastic washer over it lightly to give it a flatter surface. That way it's far less likely to pull out. If you used a standard hex head it would also be less likely to spin but more prone to cracking the epoxy if you were jerking the wrench on the nut impactfully.
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Re: Louver stud repair
I did the same and it worked, for a while...
I just went to a car wash and both louvers went flying and broke.
I used the best gorilla epoxy that I found.
Any better glue?
I just went to a car wash and both louvers went flying and broke.
I used the best gorilla epoxy that I found.
Any better glue?
#15
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Re: Louver stud repair
#16
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Re: Louver stud repair
If I break another pair of louvers I'll just pay up for the real metal version one of our members is selling.
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Re: Louver stud repair
Ok, this is what I did...
First broke the remaining of the studs...
Ok, this
Flatten them out with a Dremel...
This is how it looks with the glue and the bolts...
This is what I used...
First broke the remaining of the studs...
Ok, this
Flatten them out with a Dremel...
This is how it looks with the glue and the bolts...
This is what I used...
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