The recent talk about the pros and cons of the shady boy reminded me of a long outstanding fix I wanted to make to mine.

The stock attachment method for the stainless steel minting brackets to the van is using stainless sheet metal screws. Leaving aside the contentious :-) aspect of drilling holes into your van, I never loved the sheet metal screws and I have noticed them loosening.

So the other day I drilled out the holes in the van to accept 1/4-20 riv-nut inserts. My particular inserts fit tightly in holes drilled with letter drill S.

I also cut some neoprene foam gaskets to go between the bracket and the van and long enough to wrap around the end of the bracket where it bears against the rain gutter.

Now with the insets and 1/4-20 stainless bolts the brackets are securely mounted to the van.

One more thing, with the sheet metal screws I had slathered on rtv silicone sealant between the bracket and the van. I left that off with the foam gasket change.

Alistair