Alternative to Well Nuts for Mirrors

[crashcarr]

Hey all,
We removed our crossover/side mirrors to paint our skoolie and they were attached with what we are now learning are Well Nuts. The old ones don't seem to be reusable. We tried to pick up some replacements but the flanged portion seem too small but they were the only ones I could find that fit the existing bolts. Are there any alternatives to attaching the mirrors?
Thanks!

[o1marc]

What size are they? The hole for a well nut is too large to replace with a blind nut.

[magnakansas]

riv nuts, make a nut plate -- look it up, bolt and nut if you can get to the back side? rivets? weld/braze?

william

[Iceni John]

Jack Nuts, or their much stronger cousin Cross Nuts (made by Bolhoff). I've bought some of the latter to attach my overhead cabinets to my roof ribs.

John

[crashcarr]

Thanks, I'll check those other options out. I've only found Well Nuts locally with about a 9/16" flange on them. The original ones looked much larger.

[dan-fox]

Interested in the outcome here. I'd never heard of well nuts but after looking them up I'm wondering if they were spec'ed in this usage to reduce the transmission of vibration to the mirrors. You're obviously not going to get that with any normal all-metal bolted connection solution.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by dan-fox

Interested in the outcome here. I'd never heard of well nuts but after looking them up I'm wondering if they were spec'ed in this usage to reduce the transmission of vibration to the mirrors. You're obviously not going to get that with any normal all-metal bolted connection solution.

You are correct, which is why I haven't come up with a "proper" alternative. I am trying to theorize the issue and unless the hole in the bus has been enlarged I don't see an issue. I would like to see a pic of the old well nut in the hole. A Wellnut works the same as a pop rivet. As you tighten the screw/bolt the nut at the end of the rubber tube starts to pull forward distorting the tube enlarging its you tighten. The flange on the other end also squashes enlarges. I think if the replacement Wellnut flange is shallower it won't matter as it's only use is to keep the unit from falling through the hole. If the actual bus hole has been enlarged, then go up a size in welts and redress the mirror holes.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by crashcarr

Thanks, I'll check those other options out. I've only found Well Nuts locally with about a 9/16" flange on them. The original ones looked much larger.

I wonder if yours look larger because they've been compressed for 15 years?
Post a pic of the nuts and holes.

[family wagon]

Did you find something that fit? I see that Hanson Rivet has a selection of well nuts including one with a 1/4-20 thread and a 9/16 flange diameter (their part RN-2520-13).

[Mgulley82]

I found mine at the local ACE hardware store

They were a rubber expansion type nut insert

[MarkyDee]

My mirrors are simply bolted in, and it shows when I'm up to speed on the highway.


Not to hijack the thread, but I'm looking for new mirrors for my rig.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by MarkyDee

My mirrors are simply bolted in, and it shows when I'm up to speed on the highway.


Not to hijack the thread, but I'm looking for new mirrors for my rig.

Try mounting them with wellnuts.

[MarkyDee]

Originally Posted by o1marc

Try mounting them with wellnuts.

Now that I know what wellnuts are, yes I will.


Still would like new mirrors, though. The ones currently on the rig are small and rusted.

[Dizzyman]

I have received great service and quality parts from these folks.

Mirrors

[Marceps]

Originally Posted by that web site

Please log in for price

I hate that crap.

[MarkyDee]

Originally Posted by Marceps

I hate that crap.

Ugh, so do I.