Question ARRGGGH!!!! Looking for help finding a replacement screw.

[Franknj229]

Finally started my build. One of the parts I couldn't get at Microcenter was the Lian Li Hydroshift 2. Bought from Newegg. Mounted the pump to the CPU and popped on the first 3 nuts to the mounting bracket. When I grabbed the 4th nut from the bag, it was defective. It looks like the end where the screw would insert was crimped in a vice or pliers.

I understand my options include disassembling and sending the entire cooler back for a replacement, but I'm hoping to avoid that. I reached out to Newegg and Lian Li. No response from Newegg, and it took a couple weeks for Lian Li to reply, at which point they said it would take at least 30 days for them to send me a replacement and suggested I find the part in a store or online.

I'm looking for suggestions. I haven't been able to find this particular nut online. I found 1 ebay listing that looked promising in the pictures (it was a mounting bracket and nuts from a Lian Li Galahad 2 cooler), but when it arrived the nuts were not compatible with mine. I drove an hour to Microcenter today and the service tech searched through their supplies, but didn't find any compatible nuts. None of the products they sell containing replacement screws/nuts have anything related to coolers.

Any ideas? I hate the thought of sending the whole thing back over a single nut and then possibly having some other issue with the new one in a month or so when I finally get it... Ugh.

Thank you for any help,

-Frank

https://imgur.com/7sY4cVe

 

[Gururu]

in the manual is that part K?

 

[Ralston18]

The knurled part is mostly for convenience/"tool less" installation.

Take one of the other nuts to a Home Depot, Lowes, or some large scale hardware store.

They will likely have a gauge that you can use to determine the diameter and threading of the damaged end.

Often hung somewhere in "Hardware - Nuts and Bolts".....

Reference.

Nut and screw sizing


Then look for a regular, size and thread matching hex nut.

If cooler/case room permits you may be able to use one of those nuts along with a nut/hex driver (similar to a screwdriver but holds and fastens hex head nuts and screws.

Interim solution that may end up permanent.

 

[COLGeek]

I keep a container of spare parts, screws, knobs, etc from installations spanning decades. Better than Microcenter might be to contact a local mom/pop PC shop to see that they may have.

 

[Franknj229]

in the manual is that part K?

Yes, it is part K.

contact a local mom/pop PC shop to see that they may have.

I have one near my house, but they were unexpectedly closed today. I'll try again tomorrow...

The knurled part is mostly for convenience/"tool less" installation.

Unfortunately, the damaged end is the part that the screw goes into, and that end needs to be the exact length and diameter to fit through the opening in the pump bracket and reach the screw on the mounting bracket (pics below). It's like the company said, "let's make it as inconvenient as possible if someone needs to replace one of these nuts. They'll never find a suitable part! Mwuahahahaha!!!

https://imgur.com/0usZpCVhttps

https://imgur.com/78ZSvUjhttps

 

[Ralston18]

Repost your images (photos/screenshots) directly using imgur (www.imgur.com > green "New post" icon).

 

[Gururu]

For now you could buy a matching nut and screw of appropriate length and diameter to go through the bracket. The nut can sit on the top and you can hold it in place with pliers while you put the screw through. Just make sure you torque enough.

 

[Franknj229]

Repost your images (photos/screenshots) directly using imgur (www.imgur.com > green "New post" icon).

https://imgur.com/78ZSvUj

https://imgur.com/Ks0GTDD

 

[COLGeek]

Is there any chance you can squeeze the deformed end back into shape with pliers?

 

[Franknj229]

Is there any chance you can squeeze the deformed end back into shape with pliers?

Ha!

No...

 

[ezst036]

I second the Home Depot idea.(above)

Remove the water cooler and bring the bolt to Home Depot.(Ace Hardware, Lowes, etc) Find the correct nut size, problem solved. My current CPU heatsink has nuts and bolts in it from Home Depot. I brought the whole motherboard into Home Depot to make sure I walked out with the correct sized fittings.

Now call the manufacturer. They'll send you another one. Remove the spare nut in a few weeks from now and it will be as if nothing happened.

 

[SkyBill40]

Is there any chance you can squeeze the deformed end back into shape with pliers?

That was my first thought as well.