Repair screw nut for hand hold strap above right front seat

[egarcia77035]

I have a 1966 M2OE that had the upper screw pulled out after my BFR.  I inspected the original screw and it appears stripped as the tip is blurred.  I have a 10 / 32 tap that I inserted into the hole were the old screw was and could not locate the receiving nut.  Anyone have any ideas how I can find or replace the receiving nut?

[Shadrach]

10 minutes ago, egarcia77035 said:

I have a 1966 M2OE that had the upper screw pulled out after my BFR.  I inspected the original screw and it appears stripped as the tip is blurred.  I have a 10 / 32 tap that I inserted into the hole were the old screw was and could not locate the receiving nut.  Anyone have any ideas how I can find or replace the receiving nut?

Remove the overhead interior trim to find out what happened to the nut. If I recall correctly, it’s anchored into the steel tubing. It’s likely still there, just misaligned with the hole in the trim.

[egarcia77035]

Thanks, on my way to the airport and I'll check it out.  I'll let you know what I find.

[Hank]

You can also poke around with a pick and often find the nut, too. With the tip in the nut, you can push/pull the trim over it, then quickly replace the pick with the screw.

[egarcia77035]

Just returned.  My mission was successful.  The tap has an awl at the other tip and once I removed the trim, I stuck the tap in and turned it in both nuts making certain they were free of burrs.  Once this was done, I reinstalled the trim, fastened the one that was already in the the one that fell out.  It's tight and the nut wasn't stripped.  Thanks again!!

[Fly Boomer]

1 hour ago, egarcia77035 said:

Just returned.  My mission was successful.  The tap has an awl at the other tip and once I removed the trim, I stuck the tap in and turned it in both nuts making certain they were free of burrs.  Once this was done, I reinstalled the trim, fastened the one that was already in the the one that fell out.  It's tight and the nut wasn't stripped.  Thanks again!!

Thanks for posting the success.

[Shadrach]

1 hour ago, egarcia77035 said:

Just returned.  My mission was successful.  The tap has an awl at the other tip and once I removed the trim, I stuck the tap in and turned it in both nuts making certain they were free of burrs.  Once this was done, I reinstalled the trim, fastened the one that was already in the the one that fell out.  It's tight and the nut wasn't stripped.  Thanks again!!

Nicely done!