2003 Defender front vent knobs

Hi ... the thread in one of the round knobs on the front vents of my defender has stripped and i want to bush if with a brass insert ... easy if you know the thread size !
The OD of the thread is 5.2mm (13/64" ) and the pitch is 26 tpi. I've tried a 7/32" BSB thread, which is close, and it just about works, but is a bit too loose and certainly not the right size.
Does anyone know what thread size this is, officially ?
Thanks.

Would it not be a standard M5 thread? more likely I'd guess than imperial.

potus said:

Would it not be a standard M5 thread? more likely I'd guess than imperial.

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Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately an M5 thread has a 0.8mm pitch and this, if metric, is definitely1.0mm.

Potus ... Your list for me thinking about the problem in a different way and now, thanks to you, I've cracked it !
The thread is M6 !
I'd assumed that the thread in the plastic knob had worn, but I fact it hasn't ... It fits an M6 bolt fine. Surprisingly it's the steel thread that has reduced in diameter (by 0.7mm !!).
So, the solution is to fix the rod, not the knob !!
Next challenge will be to fix the rod thread without removing it from the vent !!!!!

I congratulate you on your thoroughness, but I can't help thinking a bit of chemical metal will have it sorted in a few seconds.

zeaphod said:

I congratulate you on your thoroughness, but I can't help thinking a bit of chemical metal will have it sorted in a few seconds.

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Yes, that'd do it ... But this is a Landy, and she deserves the best . Also, more importantly a job will no doubt come up in due course which will require me to remove the facia, which will mean taking the knob off !! I checked if chemical metal cash be used for thread repair too, but apparently not. :-(
Current best option is to grind/file down to 4mm, then bush it with M4 on the inside and M6 on the outside. No one will see the work that has gone into this, but I'll know it's been done properly !!
Has anyone any experience of other metal fillers than can be used for thread repair ?

Is it not possible to replace the threaded actuator?

lightning said:

Is it not possible to replace the threaded actuator?

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I'm sure it is, but not without taking the mechanism apart. The rod looks like it is crimped to the lever, but it might be welded, i can't see from inside the car. I was hoping to find a solution that minimised any 'invasive surgery' ! ;-)

Leakyroof said:

I'm sure it is, but not without taking the mechanism apart. The rod looks like it is crimped to the lever, but it might be welded, i can't see from inside the car. I was hoping to find a solution that minimised any 'invasive surgery' ! ;-)

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it is not that difficult to remove the operating mechanism from the vent. It would then be much easier to repair on the bench, or see if you can get replacement parts second hand to repair.

I think they are riveted together. You might be able to get at it after taking the dash top off.

Chemical metal might not be any good on stressed components but surely it will suffice for this sort of job? My gear lever knob is held on with nothing but congealed Loc-Tite. It's solid enough so as not to come off accidentally but I can still get it undone when I need to take things apart.