I bought new hardware to replace the junk that came with the cobalt skidplate that moss mini sells. With the mess that ended up in my lap after using those bolts, I got some really nice ones. The thing is that the minimum order was 25 bolts, so i have a few extras

They are McMaster-Carr part no 90854A186



As you can see by the specs they are zinc plated (corrosion resistant) and ridiculously strong, probably overkill, but I wanted to be sure I would have no problems ever again, when removing my skidplate.

Anyway, if anybody needs these (I highly recommend if you have a skidplate to switch to better screws) I can send some your way.

50cents/each or 2 bucks for 4 (how many you need for 1 skidplate)

+ shipping or if you are local we can meet someplace and do the swap

I am in both the metro DC area and Ann Arbor, MI (depends on the day)

I am not in a rush to get rid off these, just wanted to throw it out there in case anybody wants them.

 

I'll take 4 - if'n you're passing through Pittsburgh on your way between DC and A2, let me know and I'll even buy you a frosty (possibly caffeinated) beverage! No hurry on delivery/shipping, but I *know* I'll have problems getting mine off. Those bolts are, umm, what's the word... oh yeah... "crap". The skidplate is nice though.

 

Ah... so I'm not the only one who discovered the hard way the hardware that comes with these plates should be tossed as far as possible as soon as you get them...

I never install a skid plate using the Moss hardware... I slather the threads in anti-seize and use split-lock washers as well.

I have 3-4 plate installs coming, so I was about to order hardware anyway. I'll take 16 of them off you if you still have them.

Shoot me a PM.

Btw: Dixon - replace the hardware ASAP. The longer it is in contact with the non-stainless undercarraige - especially when driving on wet, salted roads - the harder it can be to remove those s/s button head bolts.

 

lol, i used 4 for me, 6 for a guy than PMed me, 4 for dixon, and i am down to 11

 

i usually fly between the two places, but i drive back and forth 1 or twice a year...next drive isn't until the snow ends in MI though

i leave my MINI in a garage in the not quite as wintery place and take the bus in MI during winter (no snow tires etc)

 

current status:

4 pending
11 still up for grabs

 

Sorry late reply to your PM., still want the hardware and may have to torch the old ones off... ...offer's open for a frosty beverage on your way through! You may want to plan a trip around one of the PittstopMini events (a great winter driving school's coming in late Feb, and we've got anothet Gyminikhana (date TBD)...

 

Bump and a FYI for somebody doing a search about this months from now...

I found another source for the bolts that is a bit cheaper than McMaster... or at least will let you order them individually:

www.boltdepot.com

They also sell those damned stainless steel button head bolts if you're a true glutton for punishment...

 

down to 11 available

 

Sent you a PM - I'd like to take a set of 4. Thanks for sharing these bolts with the NAM community!

 

Got mine. They're sweet. Can't wait to jack up the mini and get all cruddy trying to remove the current allen-head b**tards.

 

Good luck. Be sure to completely clean out the socket and make sure the wrench is fully seated before applying torque to it. If it strips you're basically screwed... I tried drilling it out and using a bolt-extractor... no dice... the extractor would just carve out more material instead of backing the bolt out... so I'm now down to 3 bolts holding the skid plate on...

 

I had a similar thing happen to me (which is why i got the bolts).

I went to a place with a lift (to get better leverage) and got it out using a star bit that I just jammed into the bolt and a pneumatic socket driver. Then I used a allan socket with the pneumatic driver on the rest and they came right out, have you tried either of those tatics?

also PM replied to
which leads to

7 available
4 pending

 

7 available

 

I got lucky: All my allen head bolts came out without TOO too much persuading, but I had greased them before installation. Despite that, I was amazed at how cruddy they got under there, and the force it took to get three of 'em started and one of 'em out!

UKCoopeR, while all the bolts were the same size, both driver's side threaded holes in my shell weren't deep enough (could EAASILY be that there was crud in there from when I first installed the skidplate, at night ) Cad-plated washers were scavenged from my garage and easily applied - no problem. I applied anti-seize to all, and backed out my previous other fasteners and anti-seized them as well. Phew!

Thanks for the research and acquisition on these - my skidplate is probably the most sturdily-attached piece on the car now!

Side note: I like the positioning of the skidplate vent holes, I can change oil through the one with only a 6"x6" formed piece of aluminum foil to direct the oil flow into the pan...

 

PM sent for 4 if there are any left

 

Somewhat, yes... however, at the end of the day, the head of the bolt was gone and was left with just the shaft in the hole. And bear in mind this was about 3 years ago... I don't think it's coming out anytime soon...

I installed 4 skid plates a few weeks ago on cars of various ages (from a mid-mileage '03 MC to our nearly new '07 MCc). I spend a fair amount of time with a tap and thread chaser to clean out the threads in the sub-frame. Some were pretty cruddy.

 

Just wanted to drop in again and thank UKCoopeR for sourcing these bolts. I received 4 in the mail very quickly, and it was good peace-of-mind when I replaced the bolts in the skid plate the last time I removed it for some maintenance. Some of the bolt threads were already encrusted with rust and other crud, and removing the old fasteners with the small hex head made me wary (but in the end, they came off without the heads breaking off - sorry to hear about the poor experiences that others have...).

FWIW, I have the M7 USS, which installs "over" the skid plate (when looking from underneath the car), and these bolts also replaced the M7 hex bolts to attach to the underframe (which are beefier than the Moss/Cobalt hardware, but still not ideal for use under the vehicle where it will be exposed to the elements).

Thanks a million, UKCoopeR!

 

PM replied to.

4 pending
3 unclaimed (i know it is an odd number lol)

Glad everyone is as happy with these as I have been.

 

back to 7 available

 

PM sent.

 

PM replied too -> 4 pending, 3 left

 

only 3 left now, dunno who needs that many, LOL
i will leave them open just incase someone needs only one or something...

 

I've got an extra if someone buys the 3 I can send 'em one to make 4 (if I can find the darned thing!). Hit me with $1.25 Paypal and it's yours...

 

Same here... I bought a bag of 100 from boltdepot and only used 16, so after UKCoopeR's & DixonL2's are gone, if anyone needs a set, shoot me a PM.