82 vette rocker panels

[Don S.]

Mine were repainted semi gloss black. Painting was okay but I messed up the screws that hold them in place and still can't get them off even using all of the sugested penetrating oils. Does anyone out there know where to get used ones (I think they are not available from GM) I thought I would look around at Kissimee. Would also like advice on how to get them off.

Don Steele

[Joe L.]

Re: 82 vette rocker panels

Don------

Getting these screws out of the panel nuts is one of the most difficult disassemblies on a Corvette; I don't know why. I suppose it's corrosion, but they really weld themselves in there. The big problem is that they are a very small diameter screw. So, if the toque required to break them free exceeds their torsional strength, you know what happens----off comes the head.

The screws used for the application, GM #9437559, were once available in SERVICE. However, they were discontinued in August, 1988 and replaced by GM #9439716. Both of these screws are phillips, oval head machine screws of thread size 10-24 and length of 3/4". The only difference is the finish (9437559 has a phosphate-organic finish and 9439716 has a cadmium or zinc finish) and the thread length (9437559 has a thread length of 37/64" and 9439716 has a thread length of 9/16" or 1/64" less than the 9439716).

The phosphate finish of the originals is probably a BIG reason why they corrode and "weld" themselves in place. From this perspective, the cadmium or zinc finish is probably a lot more practical. The heads of the screws could easily be "treated" to simulate the original finish.

The GM #9439716 screws remain available from GM. However, this is a very common type screw. Finding a phillips, oval head machine screw of 10-24 thread size and 3/4" length should be no problem, at all, in a good hardware store. Since these are machine screws, even if you can't find a 3/4" length, you can purchase longer ones and trim them. No big deal, at all.

[Don S.]

Re: 82 vette rocker panels

Thanks Joe--

I am glad to hear that it just wasn't me and that it really is difficult.The only question remaining is how do I get them out with broken off heads. drill them out carefully??

Don

[Joe L.]

Re: 82 vette rocker panels

Don-----

That's the only way and it's VERY unlikley that you'll be able to do it carefully enough to avoid destroying the panel nut.

[Mike R.]

Re: 82 vette rocker panels

Don

Try the local junk yard. I have had some reasonable luck for some small, unusual items

Mike

[Donald Brunswick]

Re: 82 vette rocker panels

The best place may be the junk yard but I've found it difficult to find machine type screws vs. the million of screws you find in trim etc. Remember these should have a Torx head on them which also narrows down the pool to harvest them from. I made a trip just last Saturday and wasn't able to find any machine type. However, I have found a source of metric machine screws with torx heads, but as we all know they are currently metric. If you happen to find a source please e-mail me and I will do the same for you.

donald