I pulled the belly pan on my newly acquired xfire to change the steering stabilizer and also to take a look at the underside condition.
On putting it back last night I noticed that the two rear screws would not tighten down without feeling stripped.
I took a look up in the threaded hole and it sure sure does look like machine threads and not acceptable for the metal screws that I took out.
Anyone know what type and size screw for those 2 rear screws?
If I can't get any info, i'll just drill and tap to a #6 or #8 thread and go get a couple fender washers

Also the front center hole(s) is missing a fastener, I used a moulding clip and sheet metal screw with fender washer.

]Something tells me that another type of fastener is used there, can you guys shed some light on this before I button it all up and bring the car back to earth, thanks

 

My car has two screws in the front, and two screws in the rear. Nothing in the front center. Also if I over tighten the rears, they will act stripped out. Just tighten enough and they will be fine.

James

 

Jim,it sounds like the exact situation I have, if I come across a couple heftier "U' clips I'll replace them if not like you say, I'll just tighten them enough.
Thanks,

 

If I recall correctly my 2004 had a central twisting latch that was never there on my 2005 model, they must have discontinued it.

 

Are you talking about the 4 screws front and back or the center hole up front center?

 

Not a screw, it was in the centre as I recall. Mine was broken and never worked.
It must have been on later models as well, ala_xfire had one as I think back, he had fixed his somehow.

 

Yes, I just used a spare plastic panel fastener that I had.
( one of the interior trunk panel fasteners on the roadster )

 

Ok, here is the results of my belly pan fastener situation.
Instead of telling you what didn't work I'll just tell you what did.
I ended up keeping the original "U" clips in the rear and I took a 10-32 tap through them.
I found a couple of s/s 10-32 pan head screws and #10 washers in my screw box and yesssss, the
back of that pan is secure now!
I used one of the original screws with combined plastic washer from the rear along with a "U" clip up at the front center and, yessss tight and secure.
I feel confident now that I can drop that pan as many times as I want and be able to put it back up securely, without stripping anything.

 

Well I have an '04 that it too is missing the front center attaching hardware. My guess, since it seems a number of us do not have it, that it was designed for, but never installed. Yes the back ones always feel as though they're stripped, but as suggested just snug up and they seem to do fine. I have 117k on my car and haven't lost them yet So now they'll probably drop out tomorrow

 

WHski - best screen name on here.

 

Thanks, Pizzaguy. I work at it at every opportunity.