8 replies to this topic

[mx5nut]

That question might sound silly, but hear me out. In the process of removing the nasty old goopy tar-like sound deadening, I needed to remove the accelerator pedal assembly, so I could scrape the adhesive off around that area. To begin with, I had two bolts with the bolt heads inside the car, and the threaded end pointing towards the front of the car if that makes sense.

One of the bolts seemed to back out without issue. The second bolt was more difficult, and I thought it was stripped because there were points where is just kept spinning, but I eventually got it out. Next, I scraped off an old piece of carpet that seemed to be behind the pedal assembly, along with the surrounding goopy adhesive. I tried to thread the bolts back in my hand and was surprised that both just pushed right through, as though they were too small for the holes.

I don’t know how, but it seems like my pedal assembly was held on by a piece of carpet that was somehow stuck to the bulkhead . I started searching the forums and vendors for the correct bolt size for the hole, thinking that I just had the wrong bolt size. All of the pictures and threads that I have seen seem to show bolts pointing inwards from the engine bay, and then nuts holding the pedal assembly on.

I essentially have two holes in the bulkhead that don’t appear to have anything like a captive nut on the other side, and I think I can see the subframe through the two holes. What is the proper way for the pedal assembly to attach to the car? Is there any way to safely and adequately fix my situation without removing the engine and front subframe?

I am kind of sick to my stomach thinking about this and the stupidity of whoever did this in the car’s history. Hoping at I am overreacting and some of you can chime in with an effective fix. Let me know if it would help for me to post pics.

[nicklouse]

Two weld nuts on the shell. Then two bolts to attach.

[GraemeC]

Originally would've been welded studs through the firewall and then two nuts.

 

Presumably the threads have previously been damaged and the previous owner replaced them with nuts & bolts - you've probably just been lucky that there was enough resistance to stop the nuts spinning when you undid them.  The nuts are probably on the floor somewhere under the car.

I think I would try a couple of good quality rivnuts now, failing that weldnuts inserted through the firewall from the inside as Nick suggests.

[mab01uk]

Interactive drawings in link below, hover mouse over nuts/bolts/washers for the description = 1/4" UNF fixings.

https://www.somerfor...engine-controls

Edited by mab01uk, 16 December 2021 - 09:15 AM.

[Ethel]

Sounds like there could've been something like this on the other side.

[mx5nut]

Originally would've been welded studs through the firewall and then two nuts.

Presumably the threads have previously been damaged and the previous owner replaced them with nuts & bolts - you've probably just been lucky that there was enough resistance to stop the nuts spinning when you undid them. The nuts are probably on the floor somewhere under the car.
I think I would try a couple of good quality rivnuts now, failing that weldnuts inserted through the firewall from the inside as Nick suggests.

Thanks Graeme, I think this what I will try. I have no welding skills whatsoever though, so I really hope rivnuts do the trick. Whoever I tear the car down for restoration in the coming years, I can then consider reverting back to the original configuration. by the way, no nuts under the car. I honestly think the pedal assembly was held on by a piece of carpet with crusty old adhesive, and maybe some carpet fibers worked their way into the holes.

Correction! I just found a single nut wedged between the bulkhead and subframe tower.

Edited by mx5nut, 17 December 2021 - 03:15 AM.

[Steam]

Yeah both nuts will be behind the subframe etc. Weld nuts originally, nut and bolt are fine so don't give the PO grief.

[mx5nut]

I was able to get some rivnuts and will get around to taking care of this in a few days, after I get through some other bits in the car. As noted above, the original bolt size seems to be 1/4 UNF. I’m not sure what size the holes in my bulkhead are, but I would have to drill to the outer diameter of the rivnuts, which is even bigger than the holes are now if I use a rivnut that accepts a 1/4 UNF bolt. By doing so, would I be setting myself up for any issues down the road when I want to restore the car and revert to the original configuration?

[nicklouse]

I was able to get some rivnuts and will get around to taking care of this in a few days, after I get through some other bits in the car. As noted above, the original bolt size seems to be 1/4 UNF. I’m not sure what size the holes in my bulkhead are, but I would have to drill to the outer diameter of the rivnuts, which is even bigger than the holes are now if I use a rivnut that accepts a 1/4 UNF bolt. By doing so, would I be setting myself up for any issues down the road when I want to restore the car and revert to the original configuration?

Have a look at the bulkhead image on MiniSpares. This is presuming that you still have the subframe one. You will see that it has two weld studs/bolts for the pedal to mount to. If you are going to rivnut it you will need to remove the remains of the bolts. To return it to original after rivnuting  it will be possible but metal will need to be added where it has been removed.

 

how to proceed all comes down to what you can and want to do.

 

bulkhead link http://www.minispare...|Back to search