Fender MIM truss rod nut "surrounding tube" replacement?

[rojo412]

While repairing an issue with the truss rod nut on an MIM Fender, I ended up basically trashing the plastic "tube" that surrounds the nut itself. I was able to remove it from the neck though:

I could probably make this work and cut off the mangled part enough to look okay, but if possible, I'd like to just replace the whole tube with a new one.

Thing is, I can't seem to find what I'd need for that. Is there a part number for something like this? Or a name? Is this something that I can source from somewhere else even, like a hardware or auto parts store?

I understand the labor aspect of it:
- Dry fit, then mark the cut needed
- Cut it relatively closely
- Glue it in place
- Use a blade to carefully make it flush with the headstock profile again
- Seal the finish in the area as best as I can to make it look like it wasn't repaired (if possible)

Just need to know what to buy and where. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[vaesto]

Hi,
There is no such replacement part. You can try some plastic tube: measure the left-over you've got and see what is offered around. But it is only applicable if the hole in the neck is very round...
When I did similar to my Squier, I ended up with epoxy glue clay (for example: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]). While re-composing this insert I've used a TR hex key warped in several layers of baking paper (should match the inner diameter of your plastic insert) as a guide for the entry hole. And then painted black with permanent marker
Here is in-between result (before final clean-up)

from this:

 

[rojo412]

That is definitely a very novel approach and you did a great job with that.
For me, I think I'd probably just opt to use this piece if no other options exist, as there seems to be enough to at least make it look somewhat okay.

Just so it's on the public records, too, for any future research into this topic, the measurements of this tube are:
OD: .4175" / 10.61mm
ID: .3325" / 8.44mm
Wall thickness: .0405" / 1.04mm

 

[rojo412]

The unfortunate thing is, the replacement part doesn't seem to exist.
The fortunate thing was, the remaining portion worked well enough to fix it:

Sanded off the bad part and used this drill bit to press it against the sides while the super glue cured

Masked it off

Used a razor blade with masking tape on the sides as a scraping tool, then scraped the plastic and excess glue down to where it was flush

Not exactly perfect, but functional

 

[thisSNsucks]

Great fix, next time search truss rod tube on eBay. Most are made of rosewood but there’s a few plastic/nylon available. Shipping gets pricey though.

 

[96tbird]

Looks great to me. It’s difficult to be perfect but you nailed that. Originally it was cut in situ with a machine along with the wood and you used your hands. Indeed!

 

[rojo412]

As I should have imagined, McMaster-Carr may be the place to go for such items. Found this that was close:
McMaster-Carr

Maybe next order, I'll splurge the $0.56-1.14/ft to experiment.
Of course, I'll need to find another bass to screw up to prove that...

 

[WannaJazz]

Does anybody know, is that truss rod grommet necessary?

I removed it from a friends Squier bass, to replace the truss rod.

The bass played fine afterwards.

It has been several years since I played it, and he says it is still working.

 

[rojo412]

I don't believe it is, no. Purely aesthetic, as far as I can tell.

 

[96tbird]

Does anybody know, is that truss rod grommet necessary?

I removed it from a friends Squier bass, to replace the truss rod.

The bass played fine afterwards.

It has been several years since I played it, and he says it is still working.

How many years? It’s a fact that removing those tubes arms a five year fuse and then the instrument self destructs.

Wait no, it’s purely cosmetic. The hole required to install the truss rod is huge, as you can see above when the tube is removed. The tube is merely camouflage. Lipstick.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

I've removed and replaced a couple of these Fender Truss Rod Nut Sleeves (or whatever they are called) over the years. Yes, these sleeves are mostly cosmetic, to fill the hole that they have to bore in the neck to fit the nut and washer down in there. But they do have one intentional design purpose: To capture and retain the truss rod nut. Fender wanted owners to be able to adjust the truss rod, with the right tool and procedure. But they really didn't want them to be unscrewing the nut and taking it out. That should be done by a tech who has some idea what they are doing. The glued-in plastic sleeve keeps inexperienced owners from messing with the truss rod.

The sleeves are only lightly glued in there with wood glue, which doesn't bond to the plastic very well. I think the sleeves are injection molded black polystyrene. Cheap and simple. A slight hammer rap and they'll pop right out. The trick is to use a tool similar to a Seal Puller, like auto mechanics use. A rod with a small hook on the end. The other end of the rod is bent up into an L. Slip the small hook into the sleeve and catch it on the inner back edge. A light hammer tap on the L pops the sleeve right out, usually with no damage. Most veteran Luthiers I know who work on Fender truss rods have made up their own little puller tool like that.

After replacing the truss rod nut, the sleeve can be glued right back in. A drop of Titebond on the outside, push it back in, lining up the elliptical front surface with the hole.

 

[WannaJazz]

@96tbird

Ohhhh!!!! That would explain the recent explosion at the local music store, and the ensuing mushroom cloud over the neighborhood!!

After reading this thread, I talked to the guy who owned the bass I worked on.

I sold it to him, and I was certain there would be no problem.

He was less certain about it, so i told him that if it became a problem, I would buy the bass back.

As it turned out, he traded it in to the local music store.

I swear this was long before I heard about the Five Year Fuse!!!!

Geez!! It seemed like such an innocent thing to do at the time!!!!

( I hope there's a statute of limitations)