Recent content by wessexmike

I have had an issue with a set of threads on a rear crossmember that proved tricky. Admittedly this sounds very simple. The bolt that sheared did so when undoing it, so wasn't a case of brute force and ignorance. I have had vehicles for 35 years, and done a fair bit of work on them over the...

Indeed. The tap I'd borrowed was softer than the nut. It has now been cleaned out properly, and an M10 does fit, if somewhat still a bit tightly. Thanks for the tip, but not for assuming I am a complete fool.

Thanks. Have ordered a few 3/8" UNC bolts. It will at least rule these out if they don't fit... Thanks Wammers, I'd never realised the AF meant 'across flats'.

Thanks, will give that a go.

I assumed an M10 tap would have same thread pitch as M10 bolt. It went through the nut with no resistance, which is why it seems odd that any M10 bolts I try are not working. Halfords and Screwfix don't stock anything but metric, so can't buy a couple of different types to try unless I buy...

Well I used an M10 tap today which spun through quite feely. M10 bolts are still getting really tight after about 5mm in. They can't be metric nuts on this crossmember, but close to M10. Any thoughts on which bolts to try? Thanks in advance!

Thanks for all the replies :). Mm, will get a tap and die set, although will have to be a cheap one...

Thanks. Should be, but these are only going in 5-10mm before getting so tight they will shear (and one has...). Any other sized nuts used ever?

Hi folks Recently got a 1994 Defender 110 300tdi. The seller said that the rear crossmember had been replaced at some point. He had not put the towbar back on, so I am planning to, plus add a rear folding step. There are 3 nuts welded underneath the crossmember that are used to attach the towbar...

Hi folks. After having said I'd never get one, I bought one 2 months back. Having sold my motorbike I couldn't be left with just a Passat, so have got a 1994 110 County with 230k miles. Hope it doesn't act as too large a tap on the base of the wallet!