Technical headlight inspection panel fixing - repair?

[purf]

Hi all

I have a broken headlight inspection panel catch which I need to repair as it rains a lot in England. The steel retainer plate has detached from under the inner wing and the thumb 'screw' for want of better word' no longer latches and pops open all the time...

Any suggestions on how this can be fixed? I don't really want to put a self tapping screw through it...

Thanks

 

[BirdyX19]

I'm trying to think of where I have seen something like this. You might find something suitable in Screw-Fix. If not check out eBay. There are a few people scrapping cars. If not try Bertone Fiat X1/9 on Facebook. He's helped me out with mine.

While you're there with the panel off, make sure the drain holes are free. Mine were full of water when I bought him.

 

[purf]

good tip about the drain holes.

I've done the rear quarters drain holes already - as a pint of water spilling onto you luminition module doesn't do it any good!

Apparently the clip is riveted on according to someone on xweb? I will take a look again...

Definitely no rivets but that might be the best answer I think they must be spot welded on originally? The old clip part is rusted and broken off so I will try and use it as a pattern and make a new one...

 

[BirdyX19]

This is so annoying. I can see what I'm trying to explain but can't think where or on what I've seen them on.

 

[ppalma]

Dzus fasteners, aka quarter turn fasteners. Used in aircraft, competition cars,...

 

[BirdyX19]

Dzus fasteners, aka quarter turn fasteners. Used in aircraft, competition cars,...

Perfect. I would never have known what they were called but that's what I could see in my head. The garage I work in build Maurice Reeves mk1 and mk2 Golfs. Mark used things like this.

 

[purf]

Cool. Thanks I didn't know you could get them.

Not much of it left... Think they missed it with the waxoil...

I was going to attempt to make one from stainless and pop rivet it on.

I'm not so concerned about water getting in now I've realised the space inside is open to the front grille...

 

[purf]

I've made this from thin steel. Might make a better one from stainless if I can find some. Will upload the template.