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Wanted: headlight frame fasteners.

charlieglover

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September 21, 2024
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City, State
Portland TN
Year, Model & Trim Level
94 aerostar XLT sport van
Hello to all. I don't know if I'm in the right spot to type this. But here goes. I'm looking for some headlight bezel nuts for 94 aerostar XLT sport van. It's turned into a nitemare. I thought no big deal I can get one anywhere. I've been on every ford site there is and nothing. Lots of people got them posted for aerostar. Even called Ford a couple of times. Mine is made completely different than the ones I've looked at. So I either go to junkyard. Or go to where someone tells me a website I've been everywhere trying to find headlight bezel nuts. Does anyone know what I need to do. Thank You
 






Welcome to the forum!

You're right, not the correct place to post about vehicle issues, this forum is only for introductions as a new member.

What does a bezel nut do? I saw some pics that look like just a nylon push-tab type nut, where the main things you need are the correct outer diameter to lock into a hole (is it a round or square hole it fits into?), and correct inner diameter and thread pitch for a stud to thread into? If so, then might you find something generic that fits? What dimensions are needed?

Do you have any of them, so you could post a picture of what you're looking for, and also a link or pic of what you're finding online that won't work?

Have you looked for something that includes an adjustment screw?

Does it look anything like this? :


A junkyard might not be a bad idea, though if they are plastic and now over 25 years old, something from a junkyard might be very brittle and break, but in your favor it is still summer so the temperature will make them less brittle than when it's colder outside.

I wonder if it's something that can be 3D printed? Bit of a learning curve if you don't do 3D printing but sometimes local libraries have a 3D printer that they let people use, or there might be some online service where if you sent them the (CAD?) file of the right type, they'll print it and mail to you.

How much access is there around where these nuts mount? I wonder if you could just bolt or screw a thicker piece of plastic over the area where the nut goes, with a hole drilled in it for the stud to self-tap (or tap threads in it if a rigid enough material to do so), and have that take the place of the nut?
 






Welcome to this forum! Your thread was renamed, and moved into the Aerostar parts section. Did you look at the Motormite website or section in an auto parts store? You could use other types of fasteners with screws. The square opening is large but still small enough for various types of anchors.
 






This is what's on my aerostar, I was unaware there's different styles of the plastic clips. Post a picture of one from your van.

Bezel Nut.jpg
 






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