1970 Fuel Door Bezel Nylon

[Tom L.]

My fuel door bezel has some minor DA rash on the chrome from a prior paint job. I'd like to send it out to be repaired and re-chromed instead of buying a repop. The latch mechanism consists of small nylon buttons that are held in place with set screws and springs. I think the nylon has swollen from years of pressure, so I can't get them back out through the threaded set screw holes.

Does anyone know any tricks to get them out without destroying them? Does anyone know if these nylon pieces are available? If so, I'll just drill them out. Thanks.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 Fuel Door Bezel Nylon

My fuel door bezel has some minor DA rash on the chrome from a prior paint job. I'd like to send it out to be repaired and re-chromed instead of buying a repop. The latch mechanism consists of small nylon buttons that are held in place with set screws and springs. I think the nylon has swollen from years of pressure, so I can't get them back out through the threaded set screw holes.

Does anyone know any tricks to get them out without destroying them? Does anyone know if these nylon pieces are available? If so, I'll just drill them out. Thanks.

Tom-------


The nylon balls were once available from GM under GM #3915632. However, they were discontinued without supercession in March, 1984. I know of no current source for them. Obviously, the manufacturing source for the reproduction bezels must have them, but, as far as I know, they are not sold separately. Even Dr. Rebuild doesn't have these and if he doesn't have them, it spells trouble.

By the way, to have the bezel re-finished, you'll also need to remove the "hold open" spring and the hinge. The spring is attached to the bezel by "rivets" integral to the bezel and peened to secure the spring. You can re-attach the spring using small machine screws, but you can't re-establish the original attachment configuration.

[Tom L.]

Re: 1970 Fuel Door Bezel Nylon

That's interesting, I didn't realize it was a ball. The backs of mine look sort of flat, which is probably why I can't get them out. Would there be any way to find the diameter from that part number? Maybe I could find something like it at McMaster-Carr.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1970 Fuel Door Bezel Nylon

That's interesting, I didn't realize it was a ball. The backs of mine look sort of flat, which is probably why I can't get them out. Would there be any way to find the diameter from that part number? Maybe I could find something like it at McMaster-Carr.

Tom-----


I don't know if it's a completely spherical ball. "Ball" is the term which GM uses to describe it. I do know that it's at least partially spherical, though.

I can't relate part number to specs for this part.

[Tom L.]

Re: 1970 Fuel Door Bezel Nylon

Here it is. I cut the tip off of a small finishing nail and ground it smooth. I used that and needle nose pliers to push the nylon piece out. I used an amount of force that I thought, for sure, would destroy it, but it's okay.

[Pat M.]

Re: 1970 Fuel Door Bezel Nylon

I had to trim the shoulders on these "balls" with a file so they would stick out enough to grip and pass PV.