Mounting unthreaded case fans

[Mangraz]

Hello, I recently purchased case fans, which are unfortunately unthreaded. After doing some reading, this seems to be the norm, and installing them is hard, but manageable.

Not so for me: I can't get the screws in without jamming them. They'll always tilt. I already stripped a screw, when I tried to get it out again.

I'm quite desperate now. What in hell am I doing wrong?

 

[Aeacus]

Care to give us the fan's make and model (or part number)? Also, what kind of screws you're using to fasten the fans?

 

[Mangraz]

It's a Fractal Design Dynamic X2 GP-14, and a Dynamic X2 GP-12.

The latter was pre-installed in the case, but I had to remove it to make space for the bigger fan. Now I can't even screw that one into place.

I'm using the screws included with the fans. They're 1cm long and about 0,4cm broad.

 

[Aeacus]

Are you using the screws included with the fan? If so, those are standard fan screws.

Though, mounting a fan with them can be a bit hard at times since as far as i can tell, you need to create threads within fan frame when you 1st screw the screw in. It's easier to do when you 1st screw the screws in, creating the thread and then mount the fan into your case.

I've had the same issue with my Arctic F12 fans since they have hard plastic at the screw hole and getting a screw in took some muscle power.

For 2nd option, use rubberized fan mounts to mount the fan, e.g
short ones: https://www.amazon.com/Cosmos-Pieces-Rubber-Mounting-Screws/dp/B00H9905KA
long ones (which i used): http://www.akasa.com.tw/search.php?seed=AK-MX003

 

[Mangraz]

Thank you for your answer. I thought about getting rubber mounts, but afaik they stand out to much. There is less than a millimeter of space between the fan and the dustfilter in the FD Define C, that I am using. Or would they actually fit?

Also, back to the normal screws: Is it okay if they are skewed, or will that make it more likely to cause vibrations? I'm also afraid of never being able to remove them again, I admit.

 

[Aeacus]

I measured my Akasa rubber mount head and it's 3mm high. Also, looked your case and it has ditches for screw heads, so that screw heads won't interfere with front filter. Since the part of Akasa rubber mount that sticks outside of the case is same size as screw head, you should be able to use them without clearance issues,
Akasa rubber mounts at Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Akasa-AK-MX003-anti-vibration-fan-mounts/dp/B003N7YZLC

If you manage to jam skewed screws so tightly in, that they pull the fan strongly against the case, then they won't create additional vibration noise. Though, getting them out may prove to be a very difficult task to do.

 

[Mangraz]

Thank you lot! I'll purchase those when I inevitably modify my system fan setup. For now, I managed to get the screws in straight, paying with sweat and nerves. So much so, that I'll *definitely* buy those rubber mounts the next time I work with the fans.