FFR sun visors

[Olli]

I am in the process of installing the FFR sun visors on my Mark IV and have run into an issue. It appears as if the FFR supplied screws that attach the mount clips to the windshield frame are a different size/pitch than the tapped threads in the frame. I tried to measure the FFR supplied screws using a pitch gauge and it looks like they are 8-32. The threads in the frame "look" finer but the hole is too small to measure them. Also, no idea if the tapped holes are standard or metric thread.

Anyone else run into this?

Olli

[edwardb]

I haven't had a problem with the FF supplied screws fitting properly on several builds. But others have reported they don't fit. Quick search on the other forum seems evenly split between 6-32 and 3mm as the correct size. But chrome in the threads is mentioned a lot. Also mentioned a lot is this is probably the number one way windshields get broken. Adjust the screw length as necessary so they don't do any more than go through the frame. If you contact the glass, well you know the rest... Same comment if you choose to put a bottoming tap in there.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Hey Olli!

Yes, lots of guys have run into this and many of them swear that the threads in the windshield frame are metric and don't match the screws but that isn't the case. The deal is that when they are manufactured the frames are chromed after the threads are tapped so chrome builds up on the female threads and the screws don't fit. Metric screws might fit---sort of. If you're feeling brave you can run a bottom tap into them to cut the chrome out. Ever since one of my customers took a car I painted home and broke his windshield within an hour after taking it off the trailer when he hit the glass with his tap while doing just that I'm not that brave any more! Others have found that the screws for the little tabs will touch (and crack) the glass if they are the least bit too long.

Here's what I do now when I have customers who want visors. Use square 6-32 nuts in the top channel which can be inserted through the wide gap in the center. Install the tabs as shown here:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=75759&d=1508694046


Put your visors on like this and use a piece of black vacuum hose or screen spline to fill the channel and hide the hardware.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=75760&d=1508694047

Easy peasy and no risk of a tap or the visor screws contacting the glass.

Cheers,
Jeff

7575975760

[Olli]

6-32. Got it. At least I had the 32 right....

Jeff, I love the square nut idea. And that is what I will do. Thank you.

Olli

[Bren]

I did what Jeff had suggested. I used brass nuts as well, so that they do not scratch or mar the chrome.

[j.miller]

Yes yes yes to what Kleiner said. I used to pull the glass out of the frame, insert bracket with screws then grind down the back side.....I must say "Cap't O-Ring and his square nuts changed my life" You can quote me on that...da Bat

[skullandbones]

Hey Olli!

Yes, lots of guys have run into this and many of them swear that the threads in the windshield frame are metric and don't match the screws but that isn't the case. The deal is that when they are manufactured the frames are chromed after the threads are tapped so chrome builds up on the female threads and the screws don't fit. Metric screws might fit---sort of. If you're feeling brave you can run a bottom tap into them to cut the chrome out. Ever since one of my customers took a car I painted home and broke his windshield within an hour after taking it off the trailer when he hit the glass with his tap while doing just that I'm not that brave any more! Others have found that the screws for the little tabs will touch (and crack) the glass if they are the least bit too long.

Here's what I do now when I have customers who want visors. Use square 6-32 nuts in the top channel which can be inserted through the wide gap in the center. Install the tabs as shown here:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Fred%20J/100_5548.jpg

Put your visors on like this and use a piece of black vacuum hose or screen spline to fill the channel and hide the hardware.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Fred%20J/100_5611.jpg

Easy peasy and no risk of a tap or the visor screws contacting the glass.

Cheers,
Jeff

That's slick Jeff. You will have saved a lot of future rants over a busted glass in the future, too!

Thanks,

WEK.

[WIS89]

Jeff-

Another great solution! I have saved it for when I get to that point.

Now, what's this about your square nuts that Da Bat is rambling on about? HA

Thanks again!

Regards,

Steve

[wallace18]

Well chalk me up to being stubborn and stupid. I tried to mount my Sun visors using as much care as I could. I cracked the glass. I am going to pull off the frame and tap the holes and go from there. I just ordered a replacement windshield. I bought the stuff to do the square nut fix, but I want to be able to put my soft top on and off without having to remove the sun visors. Pleas be careful and pay attention to this thread. I really wish FFR would address this with their supplier. But I guess that would be asking too much, LOL.:(

[MisterAdam]

will this method interfere with the soft top?? That is my next big purchase!!

[wallace18]

If you do the square nut deal like the above picture it will. You would have to remove the visors every time you put the top on. That is why I am using the holes FFR suggests. I pulled the frame away on the other side and was able to tap and thread my screws without any damage. So when I get my new glass I will be fine. I should have disassembled the frame at the start and because I didn't I paid the price.

[Norm B]

Wallace18, be sure to file the screws so that they don't protrude through the frame. They are just a little too long.
I drilled and tapped piece of flat stock to thread the screws through. Clamped that in the vice a filed them shorter with a good machine file.

Good Luck This Time
Norm

[wallace18]

Wallace18, be sure to file the screws so that they don't protrude through the frame. They are just a little too long.
I drilled and tapped piece of flat stock to thread the screws through. Clamped that in the vice a filed them shorter with a good machine file.

Good Luck This Time
Norm

Thanks Norm. I bought slightly shorter S/S screws from McMaster-Carr. I already tried them out on the broken window and no problems. I broke the window with my tap.

[Joe Campbell]

On a semi-related note, does anyone make replacement visor pieces in acrylic? Used to be someone who made them out of Lexan. Mine have faded badly to a really nasty looking purple, time to replace them.

[Svtfreak]

I would think any glass shop could do it.

[wallace18]

My replacement wind shield came Sat. I removed the frame from the cracked glass and ground down the screws for the sun visor clips. Do yourself a favor and just loosen the frame from the windshield, tap the holes and grind down the screws flush. Do not be a D/A like me and crack a perfectly good glass for being lazy. Here is before and after pics.

5463454635

[6t8dart]

so....dumb question, but how do you separate the piece from the windshield, isn't it glued in with urethane?

[Gumball]

so....dumb question, but how do you separate the piece from the windshield, isn't it glued in with urethane?

Nope - windshield is held in a rubber "U" channel / gasket with some non-hardening mastic.

Here's my recently resurrected thread on work you can do to hopefully avoid cracks - including getting all of the screws the right length.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?11445-Windshield-reasemmbly-and-fitting-to-chassis-hoping-to-avoid-cracks

[wallace18]

so....dumb question, but how do you separate the piece from the windshield, isn't it glued in with urethane?

As said it just pulls right off.

[KDmsp115]

Jeff,
Does this take longer screws than what come with the FFR kit to be able to reach down to the square nuts? It looks like you have two nuts stacked under each screw, is that correct?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Jeff,
Does this take longer screws than what come with the FFR kit to be able to reach down to the square nuts? It looks like you have two nuts stacked under each screw, is that correct?

Same screws, one nut. Reflection may make it look like 2 in the photo.

Jeff

[WIS89]

Same screws, one nut.

Jeff

Well, that's not EXACTLY true Jeff. If you include the nut that's working on the car, that makes two...

Just sayin'

I hope you are well Sir!

Regards,

Steve

[MPersanis]

how long are the screws you used? THe ones I got were VERY short. My problem is the bracket holes do not line up with the pre drilled holes in my frame.

[jrcuz]

Don't do like I did and try to screw in the screws without cleaning out the threads in the frame first. The frame is chromed after the hole is threaded and I snapped one screw off in the hole and another screw I forced in cracked the windshield which cost $500. I ended up mounting the visors in the groove on the top of the w/s.

JR

[MPersanis]

anyone who used the square nut solution, where did you get them? I cant find them at any hardware store!

[Mike.Bray]

anyone who used the square nut solution, where did you get them? I cant find them at any hardware store!

Ace hardware near me had them. Worse case you can go to McMaster Carr.

[rich grsc]

Make your own.:rolleyes: Just grind the corners off opposite sides of a nut

[TXeverydayDad]

anyone who used the square nut solution, where did you get them? I cant find them at any hardware store!

I got them on Amazon. Bought both 6-32 screws and square nuts. Cheap, quick and easy delivered to your door.

Hard-to-Find Fastener... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L1L72OY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
DSLRKIT 6/32#6-32 x 1/4in Flat... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016OCJQBQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

[MPersanis]

thanks everyone!