ARB Drop Link threads

[Mr Cerbera]

OK Team,

I'm reaching the end of my teather.

Life with BlackBeauty is breaking my soul.

The latest debacle:

A very kind PHer GAVE me an ARB Drop Link via post.
Inspired by his generosity, I ordered the second so that I could replace the pair.

I was told that the gift was missing a nut but, as I had several spare, I didn't think it would be a problem.

When the two Drop Links arrived, I interchanged the three nuts to ensure that they were matched.
When I went to the mancave, none of mine fitted.

Strange, thought I, Oh well I'll use the nuts from the current fitment ubtil I can find a replacement.

So, off come the Drop Links in place and, guess what ? not only did the current nuts not fit the new Links
but my nuts didn't fit any of the Links.
Three separate thread types for one application !

Now I know that many frightening stories exist of how varying pieces were taken
randomly from parts' trays during assembly at the factory
but
Shirley, the chances of all three threaded sources being different are astronomical !

I must be doing summat wrong and I beg you and all your kindnesses to give me a clue as to what.

The nuts are a gnat's bk over 17mm but I don't have a clue what thread they are.


Any hints you can give would be internally gratefully received.

Ta !

PJ

[Mr Cerbera]

O mage said:

Im pretty sure the nuts are or should be 7/16 UNF thread size which will then be 11/16 spanner size. If it looks a fine thread or if not could be UNC

Edited by O mage on Sunday 28th June 21:32

Cheers O' Can you recommend a good thread guage ?

Ta !

PJ

[Mr Cerbera]

O, you are a STAR !.

The thread from the new drop link to go on appears to be 20 tpi....



The Nut I was trying to put on, which I think is 17mm, is 16 tpi...



The confusion comes when I look at the old Drop Link.
They both take a 16mm spanner to their heads.
but, the Bolt is a larger diameter than the Screw and appears to be 18 tpi....



The lower screw looks like 22 tpi to me



I would very much value any comments you have.

All the Best,

PJ

[Mr Cerbera]

Adrian@ said:

Try metric fine, I have a box of them on the shelf here esp for the drop link. A@

Cheers Aide@


_______________________________________________________
ETA
Now that you've popped your head over the parapets....

I have a 2001 Cerb - which I've owned for 15 years - never had any probs with threads before.

Now, in the last 3 months I seem to be cross-threading almost everything I touch

There is a Chassis Brace, under the chassis, which is retained by 10 x (I thought) 17 mm screws.

I have tried to replace them with Allen screws and Torx screws with varying degrees of success.

Is there a source of information for 'which threads are used' on the various areas of the car ?

Thanks for reading this (very) vague question.

Edited by Mr Cerbera on Wednesday 1st July 11:17

[Mr Cerbera]

Thanks Guys - for all your info

BUT !!

Rik, You are a STAR

You can't imagine how difficult how all that is to explain to a Luxembourger

Think I'll have to resort to The Experts
I am forever in your Beer-Debt

[Mr Cerbera]

Thanks for the latest stuff - superbly helpful

TwinKam said:

....
Get yourself a 'Zeus' engineers' ready-reckoner, threads are fascinating!

Didn't have much luck finding "Zeus'" bits

BUT

I did find This beauty

_____________________________________________________________________________________

ETA
I am such a dork with the Web.
I didn't realise that "Zeus" is a book.
Now ordered

Ta !

Edited by Mr Cerbera on Thursday 21st January 14:20

[Mr Cerbera]

Adrian@ said:

Try metric fine, I have a box of them on the shelf here esp for the drop link. A@

Hi Adrian,

Sorry that it has taken 5 months to get back to you

BUT

I have visited every stockist in Lux now and those that recognise the existence of M10 (fine) do not stock it and say that I'll have to order it online.

Sooooo, I hope that I can still take advantage of your kind offer and order some from you.

Unfortunately your account here is not set-up to accept PMs so may I ask you to suggest a form of communication. Please PM Me if you have time.

All the Best,

Paul

[Mr Cerbera]

Jhonno said:

M10 Fine Nyloc

Oh John, Gold Nuts, YOU ARE A STAR !!
Bling Bay for Christmas

Byker28i said:

Westfield Fasteners are usually a good supplier
https://www.westfieldfasteners.co.uk/

Hi Dave,

Yup, I discovered that site in the middle of last year
BUT
my mistake was in not knowing the variation in thread sizes and, unfortunately, ordering stuff which was not compatible.

Try, for example, finding some machine screw, in anything but 1.5mm (Course)

Thanks for your suggestion, though

[Mr Cerbera]

Sorry but I like to close my threads with a positive
AND THE ANSWER

TVR Parts (and Racing Green) supplied ARB Drop Links now have M10 fine threads (both top and bottom)

Thanks all