56 Ford Wagon rear shelf behind Back Seat

[Jwawhite]

My wagon has carpet in the rear 40 along with chrome slide strips. These strips have A hodgepodge array of screws, I think most were countersunk Phillips with washers. I think the screws have been messed with so often that the holes have enlarged and now they are holdin no more. This "shelf" has the hinged door on the rear to cover the spare tire. I believe this shelf can be removed.
Question, what were the original screws, what size and suggestions how to repair the screw holes would be appreciated, anyone else have this issue?

 

[Lanny]

Bigger screws may NOT be an option, as your chrome strips might Not look
right with bigger screws in them.

How about carefully drilling the holes in the floor to accept the push-in plastic
plugs that expand to hold tight, when the correct size metal screw is screwed
into them.

Here is a picture, I'm sure most everyone has seen these.
Maybe they will do the trick for you.


Click on picture to Enlarge

 

[rich b]

Another option. You could put rivnuts in the old holes along with oval head machine screws; secure and will give you a stock appearance.

I usually use stainless for stuff like this and give them a quick polishing; easier than finding chrome screws.

 

[rotorwrench]

Delete repeat

 

[rotorwrench]

This is a tool for setting rivet type nuts. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MIkMbV5Ji01gIVypd-Ch2Q8QEdEAQYBCABEgK7-PD_BwE
I'd look for the flush types like the click sert . If the holes are too big then a person would have to weld them up & redrill.

 

[rotorwrench]

Rivet type nuts are a good long term replaceable solution. Here is a relatively inexpensive tool for them. https://www.amazon.com/Surebonder-8510-10-24-Threaded-Insert/dp/B0003J2B5A?tag=atomicindus08-20

Some are only for metric types so look for the types you want to use. The above is for SAE or unified type thread.

 

[frank long island]

I second the rivnut as stated use stainless screws and never seize the rivnuts are aluminum bit steel are available

 

[paul2748]

I have purchased a larger screw (say a # 10) with a # 8 head. Look on ebay, I think that is where I got them.

The smaller head would solve any problems with a head that looks out of place since it's too big.

Another trick that I have used (for a sheet metal screw) when the hole becomes enlarged is to take a very thin cotter pin, make the ends equal and bend part of the "legs" over to a 90 degree angle. Insert it into the hole and then the sheet metal screw will tighten ok.

 

[Jwawhite]

Great ideas guys! I removed the "shelf" a couple days and there is a surprise, some of it is double sided. Two metal sheets stuck together with strengthing crosswise ribs. An oddity, as you face the rear of the car and open the door to the spare tire, there is a threaded insert, right side at the door opening edge....any ideas what this was for?
Learned something new today, size 8 heads on 10's and using cotter pins, ingenious I tell ya!

 

[Daves55Sedan]

Have you ever heard of "barrel-nuts". They are like a small spring-steel tube split down one side and can be pushed into a hole. The barrel nuts have a flange at the top that allows them to sit flat in the hole and have a built-in snap-in feature that keeps the nut from working it's way out of the hole.
Most of your larger hardware stores carry them in several different sizes. Most I have seen are dipped in a blackening solution but are not sealed, so If you want to try to use them, I suggest coating them with some type of enamel paint first to keep them from rusting.
Take one of the screws with you to the hardware store and use it to select the right size barrel nut. You MAY not even need to drill out the holes, just snap these barrel nuts in the original holes and insert your original screws and see if it will work well for you.