Jim Rosenthal
Supporter
We've gotten to the point where I have to install Dzus fasteners in the nostril panel and front clip. There seem to be four openings for them; two that help hold down the front bodywork, which are located up by the base of the windscreen, and four that hold the nostril panel into the front bodywork. So here are a few questions from someone (me) who understands the basics of how these things work (quarter-turn spiral/spring fasteners) but doesn't have very much practical experience with them at all.
1) it looks to me that if the Dzus fastener holds a fiberglass panel down onto a steel one, in compression, there ought to be some kind of cushion under the fiberglass panel, otherwise the strain of being held down onto the (relatively inflexible) steel panel will eventually crack the fiberglass. True or not true?
2) also, it looks like there ought to be some kind of backing arrangement where the Dzus fastener is riveted to the fiberglass panel(s), otherwise the rivets will tear or pull through the fiberglass. True or not true? I figured some kind of aluminum plate ought to be under there to spread the load out. Any comments?
3) should Dzus fasteners be bolted or riveted to the panel that they are installed on? (if riveted, we'll have to size everything and then get all the paintwork done first, since once they're riveted on, they stay there until you drill the rivet out, or break it, either of which will end up requiring the paint be touched up.
There are probably a few things I haven't thought of, which if anyone knows of them, please let me know. I'd rather hear about my mistakes BEFORE I make them,not after. There are a variety of these kinds of locking systems, but since Dzus fasteners are what were on the original car, the choice is made simple. Too bad they don't make them with those little handles that you can see on the original cars. Robert Ashe brazes those on and then replates the whole assembly. Guess who isn't going to do all that?
1) it looks to me that if the Dzus fastener holds a fiberglass panel down onto a steel one, in compression, there ought to be some kind of cushion under the fiberglass panel, otherwise the strain of being held down onto the (relatively inflexible) steel panel will eventually crack the fiberglass. True or not true?
2) also, it looks like there ought to be some kind of backing arrangement where the Dzus fastener is riveted to the fiberglass panel(s), otherwise the rivets will tear or pull through the fiberglass. True or not true? I figured some kind of aluminum plate ought to be under there to spread the load out. Any comments?
3) should Dzus fasteners be bolted or riveted to the panel that they are installed on? (if riveted, we'll have to size everything and then get all the paintwork done first, since once they're riveted on, they stay there until you drill the rivet out, or break it, either of which will end up requiring the paint be touched up.
There are probably a few things I haven't thought of, which if anyone knows of them, please let me know. I'd rather hear about my mistakes BEFORE I make them,not after. There are a variety of these kinds of locking systems, but since Dzus fasteners are what were on the original car, the choice is made simple. Too bad they don't make them with those little handles that you can see on the original cars. Robert Ashe brazes those on and then replates the whole assembly. Guess who isn't going to do all that?