Bobbin Rivets

Body parts, seats, dash, headlining, windows and stuff!

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Zaphod
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Bobbin Rivets

Post by Zaphod »

The rivets holding the headlight bobbins to the body on my car are all a bit loose, are there any tips on removing them, and where can I obtain the correct replacements? (I am assuming they are countersunk unlike normal pop rivets)
Of all the things I have lost I think I miss my mind the most...

1952 MG TD
1957 MGA 1500
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
1975 MG Midget 1500
1990 Lotus Excel

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MetBlue
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Re: Bobbin Rivets

Post by MetBlue »

I've used normal rivets when resetting bobbins. All you can do is drill out rivet and replace once they are loose. SJ Sports sell bobbins I believe.
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.

ianhateswork
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Re: Bobbin Rivets

Post by ianhateswork »

As Tony said ,
they drill out easily enough and don`t forget the backplate. You can use normal rivets, countersunk ones are better or use m3 stainless countersunk hex bolts and nuts, they work very well.
If you have a mig you can make your own bobbins out of some stainless sheet and connector nuts like these
https://www.toolstation.com/stainless-s ... nut/p57562 cut to length when done.
ian

tonypoll
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Re: Bobbin Rivets

Post by tonypoll »

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember if you drill both rivets out at the same time the backing plate will fall off and it's difficult to reposition it.
Better to keep the central screw attached, then just drill one rivet, fit the new rivet, then drill and fit the second rivet.
Tony

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MetBlue
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Re: Bobbin Rivets

Post by MetBlue »

Sounds a reasonable approach.
Many, particularly those around the bonnet and headlamps are easily reachable on both sides, but I guess there are some with difficult access to the rear plate.
Tony
What goes together.... Must come apart.

Zaphod
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Model: Excel SE
Colour: Blue
Year: 1990
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Re: Bobbin Rivets

Post by Zaphod »

that will be fine for most of them, except the inner one on the drivers headlight that for some reason is about 1 cm further back from where it should be, as a result the headlight rises crocked!
Of all the things I have lost I think I miss my mind the most...

1952 MG TD
1957 MGA 1500
1959 Austin Healey Sprite
1975 MG Midget 1500
1990 Lotus Excel

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