Moon roof rust
02-27-11, 12:26 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: oregon
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Moon roof rust
I nabbed a glass moon roof today (60 bucks!)and decided to replace the latching mechanism on it since it was warped and crappy, and as i was taking the screws out of it, they both snapped off! I'm trying to take the remnants of the screw out of the other end of it so i can re-use them, but i don't know if I'll get lucky enough. does anyone know where i can buy those little round deals that the screws go in so i can put my fancy new moon roof on?
02-27-11, 12:37 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: oregon
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh neat. I didn't even think to try those. I figured they'd be longer for some reason. I'm currently soaking the ones with the busted screws in brake fluid to try and break the rust up a bit, but i think i have some spare lift gate parts, also. I'll give them a shot. thanks 
02-28-11, 10:38 AM
#5
I just make new ones using 5/16 or 3/8 (can't remember right off) carriage bolts. Chuck em up in a lathe, turn em down and re-drill & tap for a new screw. You have have or know some one who has access to a lathe is all. And I guess, the know how.....
Paint em your favoriate shade of black and you can't tell the difference. If you want to go all out, you can make the plastic cushioners that go against the glass too.
Paint em your favoriate shade of black and you can't tell the difference. If you want to go all out, you can make the plastic cushioners that go against the glass too.
03-01-11, 01:18 PM
#7
DD, thats a great observation. One note of trivia, in OEM stock form, the thread size in the foward "hinge buttons" are different than the rear "latch buttons". At least on the 79 moonies. I only mention it because if if compatable buttons from a van are found, they could be american or metric depending on the doner.
Trending Topics
03-01-11, 10:36 PM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: oregon
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
only if you're going to be working on it or that area - no sense pulling them just to measure it. i still have the old ones with the screw snapped in it, and if i can get the damn rust to break free i might be able to re-use them.
03-03-11, 08:58 PM
#11
Hope this isn't too complicated. The smaller threaded ones (8-32) are for the two front hinge locations. The larger 1/4-20 are the rear latch. You may be able to go with one size for both. The plastic cushions were to protcet the glass from chipping/breaking but you might get by without them. Dave and DD are right, it may be easier to locate spares or alternative sources. This is beyond the realm of most "mechanics". You need a machinist.
03-03-11, 09:36 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: oregon
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got the tools to do it at my work, wont be difficult for me at all. just time consuming. i tried the torch method today, got one out but had the vice to tight and it ended up bending the edges a bit once it got hot - but only as i was turning the screw out of it, lol. i flattened it down a bit and it's usable, just not pretty. the other one totally screwed me over, got it hot and it started to come out, then snapped damn near flush with it.
unfortunately the picknpull closest to me only has an 88, and the other two have 85's but i don't know if i can make it to them in time for the rear window nuts to try those out.
May as well just get started on the carriage bolts........
unfortunately the picknpull closest to me only has an 88, and the other two have 85's but i don't know if i can make it to them in time for the rear window nuts to try those out.
May as well just get started on the carriage bolts........
03-05-11, 08:34 PM
#13
The hardware on the 80 - 85 glass roof is of a different size, then: All 6 are the same size, screw hardware is all M6-1.25.
Measurements on the metal "nut" portion:
Outside Diameter: 20.60mm
Shaft Diameter: 10.29mm
Shaft length: 5.5mm
Measurements of plastic bushing:
Outside Diameter: 20.84mm
Inside (hole) diameter: 10.37mm
Flange thickness: 1.17mm
Overall height: 3.11mm
Raised section outside diameter: 13.29mm
Holes in glass are appx 13.32-13.41mm
Measurements on the metal "nut" portion:
Outside Diameter: 20.60mm
Shaft Diameter: 10.29mm
Shaft length: 5.5mm
Measurements of plastic bushing:
Outside Diameter: 20.84mm
Inside (hole) diameter: 10.37mm
Flange thickness: 1.17mm
Overall height: 3.11mm
Raised section outside diameter: 13.29mm
Holes in glass are appx 13.32-13.41mm
03-05-11, 11:08 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: oregon
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Being that i am quitting my job on monday to work at a much more enjoyable place, i no longer have access to the tools to make them from carriage bolts. if someone has some rear window buttons, I'll make them work. I've exhausted everywhere, even a place that deals in only nuts and bolts of every type imaginable. the internet has wielded few results, also. if i ever do find a suitable replacement, I'll post it here so everyone knows.
but please let me know if you have any spare's for the rear window.
but please let me know if you have any spare's for the rear window.
03-06-11, 10:38 AM
#15
DD, yes I thought the size of the hardware on the tongue mount of the 80 could be different than the hinges of the 79. My 80 is a solid roof car and I've never inspected an 80 S/R car close. Also, I don't temember for sure, but I may have just used the american standard thread sizes closest to the metric equivalent.
The original glass roof's offered by Pacific T-Tops and Mind Train, I would assume, used american sized hardware. Maybe not. One thing I discovered is that it's the hardware itself that makes the roofs non-interchangable. Overall size wise they are the same, with the hole spacing for the rear latch being like 3 1/2 for the 79 and 5 inches for the 80 and up.
However, I have roof's of both spacing that fit the 79 style flip up latch. The 5 inch spaced glass uses an aditional adaptor plate to secure the 79 compatable hasp by way of the wider spaced holes. At first, I thought this was an ingenious, simple little fix someone came up with. But a year or so later I recieved a 2nd moon roof with this exact same configuration. I believe it was the solution the aftermarket manufacturer came up with so that they only had to manufacture one specification of glass pannel that could be used on all years of vehicles.
So,contrary to popular belief, it is possibile to use an 80 and up glass pannel on a 79. It's the hardware that makes the difference.
The original glass roof's offered by Pacific T-Tops and Mind Train, I would assume, used american sized hardware. Maybe not. One thing I discovered is that it's the hardware itself that makes the roofs non-interchangable. Overall size wise they are the same, with the hole spacing for the rear latch being like 3 1/2 for the 79 and 5 inches for the 80 and up.
However, I have roof's of both spacing that fit the 79 style flip up latch. The 5 inch spaced glass uses an aditional adaptor plate to secure the 79 compatable hasp by way of the wider spaced holes. At first, I thought this was an ingenious, simple little fix someone came up with. But a year or so later I recieved a 2nd moon roof with this exact same configuration. I believe it was the solution the aftermarket manufacturer came up with so that they only had to manufacture one specification of glass pannel that could be used on all years of vehicles.
So,contrary to popular belief, it is possibile to use an 80 and up glass pannel on a 79. It's the hardware that makes the difference.
