Mounting bolts for rear number plate lamp

mrtask

mrtask

Well-Known Member
Wasn't sure where to post this question, opted for the P6 Electrics section.
Yesterday I wasn't paying sufficient attention as I reversed before departing a parking spot. I managed to hook my rear number plate lamp underneath the bottom edge of the bumper of the lifted SUV parked behind me. When I moved off it yanked the whole lamp off my rear bumper. I shattered the lens and chipped the paint on my valance panel. Wouldn't have happened if I had refitted the overriders when I put on a new re-chromed rear bumper recently. Now it is scratched all along the top on one side. Doh! So annoyed with myself.
The two mounting bolts snapped off at the base of the thread. They have flat heads, and a short square section before the thread begins, which registers in the square holes in the pressed piece inside the lamp to prevent them twisting. What is this type of fastener called, and where can I get two new ones?
 
They are (were) studs designed to be spot welded in place. Unlikely you'll find some anywhere. You'll can replace them with normal screws. It's a bit of a pain to tighten them up but that's the only complication. I believe they are 10-32 thread.

Personally I'd replace the entire lamp, it's a fairly common Lucas unit fro the period.

Yours
Vern
 
Thanks for the suggestions chaps. I'm now told this type of bolt is called a coach bolt, and doesn't seem to be hard to obtain. The snapped coach bolts in my number plate lamp weren't spot welded in place, they were just prevented from being turned whilst being tightened by the square section fitting snugly in similarly square holes in a component inside the lamp. I'm too much of a cheapskate to plump for a whole new lamp, I've ordered a replacement for the shattered lens and I reckon I can re-use the old lamp.
 
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