Posted April 2, 201016 yr So i got my bolts and tee nuts today, and i go to test fit them into the sub and to my shock the bolt doesnt fit in the hole on the basket! now i dont know if this is a common problem or not. but im just not sure how to handle this as i dont want to buy new bolts. I also bought extra bolts and nuts for my buddies 3 18" BTL's will this be the same problem? I guess i should say the bolts are 1/4-20 Socket Head cap screws. i know i could drill the hole out. and it is what im going to do, but i guess im just wondering if anyone else ran into this issue? I will post pics in a minute, i just wanted to get this on here soon as i wish to install this today or tomorrow. kinda frustrated...oh i guess i should reference wher ei heard to get this size bolts:BTL on order, What size bolts? - SSA Car Audio Forum - Page 2
April 2, 201016 yr Since you dont feel like returning the bolts and getting the size you need then it looks like you may have to drill the screw hole in the subwoofer a little bigger.
April 2, 201016 yr I used this size bolt for my Q and it was a tight fit but it was able to fit. I basically had to screw it through the hole first (didnt feel like screwing it out).
April 2, 201016 yr Author pics. just curious if anyone else has had this issue? i will drill it out. any suggestions on type of drill to drill it? it is just an aluminum basket right? i know these are bad pics. But im not sure how you show that something doesnt fit. lol. i can tell its close to going through. just doesnt wanna go.this one was just for a good pic of this thing. lol
April 3, 201016 yr use drywall screws until you get a chance to return those and get some smaller.I would not drill my subs.
April 3, 201016 yr Author I think im going to try it, im going to buy a 1/4" steel bit and see what will happen on one hole only. but i dont think removing .010" of material will make a difference will it?
April 3, 201016 yr I think im going to try it, im going to buy a 1/4" steel bit and see what will happen on one hole only. but i dont think removing .010" of material will make a difference will it?Perhaps not if you do it perfect. Don't muck up the surround in the process, make sure you collect ALL the metal filings, and be really careful.Hell, what I am saying. I think its completely stupid. Just spend the .08 each and buy new bolts. Get threaded inserts instead of t-nuts as well while you are at it. Absolutely no need for anything so large. Sort of like running 8ga wire to your sub. Overkill for all the wrong reasons.
April 3, 201016 yr I would just buy what fits. You would take a chance to have problems with a sub like that just because you didn't buy the right bolts?Come on man!Get some cash, save some on ...whatever you want...but buy smaller bolts !!!You will use those big bolts for something else later.
April 3, 201016 yr Author ok, well i went ahead and drilled out the holes, if i would even call it drilling them out. i dont even know if i took and aluminum off or not. my guess is there was some glue in each hole that prohibited the bolt from going through. but i drilled the out and this is how i did it:thanks for the advice on making sure you cover everything up, i didnt even think of that.
April 4, 201016 yr Im about to go thru this same thing with my 18" btl.. I bought bolts and tnuts just like you did, ill probably end up doing the same thing you just did. looks like it worked just fine.
April 4, 201016 yr Great job and I knew drilling the holes out bigger wouldnt of caused any problems as long as you did it right
April 4, 201016 yr clean job...but i got a question, what is the point of doing bolts and t nuts? is it stronger? harder for thieves to get out?thanks
April 4, 201016 yr clean job...but i got a question, what is the point of doing bolts and t nuts? is it stronger? harder for thieves to get out?thanksI dont know about stronger but I do know if your gonna take your sub out a lot it will come in handy instead messing the wood up by taking the screws in and out continuously.
April 4, 201016 yr clean job...but i got a question, what is the point of doing bolts and t nuts? is it stronger? harder for thieves to get out?thanksI dont know about stronger but I do know if your gonna take your sub out a lot it will come in handy instead messing the wood up by taking the screws in and out continuously.i see, that's a good idea, something i should look into
April 4, 201016 yr A bolt and T-nut is much stronger than just a screw in MDF. If you want something hard to steal her allen head bolts or even better, torx head bolts.