sunroofs and pip pins (archive)

The 5/96 MSC catalog has "self-retaining pins" on page 1031 that may do the job. All three head designs look a little big. I couldn't find anything exactly like we need in this catalog.

True "pip pins" have a plunger in the head that's probably too long to clear the roof gutter - the MSC pins seem to have smaller ones, but this may just be an illusion because of the artist's conception. MSC does carry detent balls with integral springs that would make fabrication easier. They're in outside-threaded cylinders that go into tapped holes, so we can drill the locating hole in the side of the right size bolt, tap the hole with a bottoming tap, and screw the locating ball right in.

I'd use an AN bolt with the right grip length, cut off the threaded portion and chamfer the OD of the end. This shouldn't take more than an hour a pair if you have the right tools. Doing it the old-fashioned way (drilling a blind hole for the ball and spring, then cutting it for a retaining clip) would take twice as long.

Follow Ups:

Re: sunroofs and pip pins Ron Stygar 00:23 9/23/2000 (2)
- MSC has several ball unit options. . . . . David 06:49 9/23/2000 (1)
  - Oh - chamfer the ends of the drilled holes with a countersink. David 06:51 9/23/2000 (0)

[ Follow Ups ] [ Z3 Coupe Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.