Articles 

Security Fastening

2011-02-23

A fastened joint is required to remain fastened, despite attempts to loosen it. To repair, adjust or to install new components are all valid reasons for changing the installed fastener from its factory placed, secure position. By “secure”, it is meant that the joint components are joined so that fastened members may not be removed or altered without proper tools, and hopefully, authorization. However, in today’s world there are other, invalid reasons for fastener removal-theft and vandalism. The theft of components from vehicles and other applications is a major concern of insurance companies, environmental authorities, OEM manufacturers facing warranty concerns, and the individual owners. Radios and CD players are major theft items, as are coat hooks, towel dispensers, and soap holders in public bathrooms and various signages (street signs are a favorite college dormitory room decoration). To these can be added, tamper prone items such as controls and settings on electronics, automotive emission controls; the list of “DO NOT TOUCH” fasteners is endless. The unauthorized removal problem has increased greatly lately. Plastic grilles, cowl vents and trim are prone to theft and black market resale as these plastic items are easily broken in the real world and are expensive to replace. Air bag and sensor modules are more expensive to purchase than radio/sound systems and can be quickly removed for resale to unscrupulous body repair shops.