expanding a nut

[TheAngryDog]

I need to make a 4mm nut expand to 5mm so that it will fit over a metal rod. I can't get a 5mm nut at the moment but need a tight fit as it is to be Used to adjust the head lights on my car.

Will a normal propane Gad torch be up to the job of this?

[Crafty_]

I highly doubt you'll get a 4mm nut to magically expand to 5mm.

If you need it in a hurry screwfix sell BZP & stainless steel for pennies.

[TheAngryDog]

Cheers! Bugger, worked out I actually need to get a 2/16" nut to around 2.5/16". Wouldn't be an issue if the previous owner of my headlights hadn't been heavy handed with the plastic worm gear adjuster!

[S0 What]

Had this often with Mk3 cortinas, make one? some epoxy putty/chemical metal, mould it to shape, lube the thread and hey presto?

[hidetheelephants]

Crafty_ said:

I highly doubt you'll get a 4mm nut to magically expand to 5mm.

If you need it in a hurry screwfix sell BZP & stainless steel for pennies.

It's quite likely the thread pitch of the 2 sizes will be different, so even spreading a smaller nut won't work; you really need to know the size/thread and then obtain a nyloc for it.

[TheAngryDog]

There's no thread, its just a rod that used to have a plastic nut on it to adjust headlight height.

I did try araldite with a 3/16" nut but as the hole is too big it didn't take.

[TheAngryDog]

Headlights now adjusted, but I need to get something on the end of the rod that sticks out the back of the light to stop the internal part moving around when I go over bumps. I can't take the headlight out now as it'll upset the alignment, but could I put a slightly over sized nut with chemical metal in and around it?

[CrutyRammers]

Bodge-trastrophy
Are we talking "just for an hour at a garage, nudge nudge wink wink" here?
If so I'm sure that'll hold it for a bit, do as per So What's suggestion.

But seriously, by a proper nut. You'll get a handfull from Ebay for a quid, or if 3 days is too long, your local B&Q or Homebase for about 5...

[TheAngryDog]

The b&q nuts are too big and there is no thread on the adjuster anyway.

Ive sorted this now anyway.

[PhillipM]

A couple of thousand degrees should do it. Might need a good torch.

Regrettably, by that point, it'll be a molten puddle, so you make it whatever size you like.

[kev b]

Try BluTak, used by bodgers worldwide.

[Richyvrlimited]

If no thread is required, just drill it out to the required ID.