Radiator mounting screw/attachment question.

[Hellfire]

Currently I have two 480mm rads on the front of my case and to line the fans up when mounting is a bitch as you have to have all 4 fans in place before the first screw but they're not screw holes they're sliders so a bitch to line up. (I also don't want to pull mount the fans I want them in front of the rad)

Ideally what I'd like is to use smaller screws to mount the rad to the radiator from inside the ML120 fan (from just the rear mount attached to the rad and some sort of clip or easy to use mechanism for the front.

Anyone got any suggestions.

Case is Corsair 1000D, 2* 480*60mm rads and ML120 fans but these may change.

TL/DR I want to use different mounting screws for the case to fans than the fans to rad while keeping the fans mounted in the middle.

 

[JrRacinFan]

try allen/hex head screws to mount the fans to the radiator, should be able to reach them with the hex wrench through the top. Then take regular traditional case fan screws to mount the fans, with rad attached to them, to the case.

 

[cvaldes]

Why don't you rotate your case 90° so it is lying on its rear (IO panel)?

Then you can put the radiator(s) + fans horizontally on a box or some sort of temporary platform to push them flush up against the mounting panel so you can screw them down easily. It would be like a sandwich:

machine screws
v
telescoping radiator tray
v
fan(s)
v
radiator(s)
v
temporary platform (e.g., box)

That way you can use the intended machine screws for full security. I would mount the radiators one at a time, interior one first. Screw in the machine screws lightly. You can tighten the machine screws after both radiators have been attached to the telescoping mounting tray.

Slide the radiator tray back into the chassis and rotate back on its feet. Far easier than to try to hang them vertically.

I do find it strange that the telescoping radiator tray can't be removed from its tracks to be detached completely from the chassis.

 

[Hellfire]

try allen/hex head screws to mount the fans to the radiator, should be able to reach them with the hex wrench through the top. Then take regular traditional case fan screws to mount the fans, with rad attached to them, to the case.

Hex mount may work, I'd need to see if an allen key can fit into the space between the the front/back of the fans I'll try it out.

Why don't you rotate your case 90° so it is lying on its rear (IO panel)?

View attachment 263383

Then you can put the radiator(s) + fans horizontally on a box or some sort of temporary platform to push them flush up against the mounting panel so you can screw them down easily. It would be like a sandwich:

machine screws
v
telescoping radiator tray
v
fan(s)
v
radiator(s)
v
temporary platform (e.g., box)

View attachment 263385

That way you can use the intended machine screws for full security. I would mount the radiators one at a time, interior one first. Screw in the machine screws lightly. You can tighten the machine screws after both radiators have been attached to the telescoping mounting tray.

Slide the radiator tray back into the chassis and rotate back on its feet. Far easier than to try to hang them vertically.

I do find it strange that the telescoping radiator tray can't be removed from its tracks to be detached completely from the chassis.

Ordinarily I'd do this but as the PC is already built and all I am doing is servicing the radiators, I am looking for a method which will make serving the PC in future (including demounting rads for cleaning) easier, rather than a one off solution.

The box wouldn't work as the GPU (which is hard tubed in already) would be in the way, Also, it's current weight to move and shift onto the rear IO is a lot, the case alone is a chonky boy. also I can't slide out the radiator tray, Hard tubing prevents this. I'm looking for a method to just streamline my rebuild process going forward, is it possible like this, yes, but it's a bitch

 

[repsol23]

I have done something similar with my case and attached ML140's to the front behind my plastic front cover. The radiators are on the inside attached separately to the case. I used these screws that came with my fans and a very thin screwdriver to go between the holes.

Edit: Happened to swing by my place for lunch and snapped a quick pic. Those screws happen to fit those slotted areas perfectly, so much so that I can loosen then slide the fan just enough to access the screws holding the radiator for removal. Hope this helps.

 

[cvaldes]

Ordinarily I'd do this but as the PC is already built and all I am doing is servicing the radiators, I am looking for a method which will make serving the PC in future (including demounting rads for cleaning) easier, rather than a one off solution.

The box wouldn't work as the GPU (which is hard tubed in already) would be in the way, Also, it's current weight to move and shift onto the rear IO is a lot, the case alone is a chonky boy. also I can't slide out the radiator tray, Hard tubing prevents this. I'm looking for a method to just streamline my rebuild process going forward, is it possible like this, yes, but it's a bitch

I see. Since no photo of your current build was provided, I didn't know any of these important points.

Best of luck with your project.

 

[Hellfire]

I have done something similar with my case and attached ML140's to the front behind my plastic front cover. The radiators are on the inside attached separately to the case. I used these screws that came with my fans and a very thin screwdriver to go between the holes.

Edit: Happened to swing by my place for lunch and snapped a quick pic. Those screws happen to fit those slotted areas perfectly, so much so that I can loosen then slide the fan just enough to access the screws holding the radiator for removal. Hope this helps.

How did you get the screwdriver in?

 

[repsol23]

LOL. I knew I would need that pic... screwdriver is just narrow enough to fit through the hole.

 

[Hellfire]

I found all of mine previously with the rubber was too thick, but I do have a small adjustable precision one that may fit in my new kit, I'll give it a shot cheers.

Do you know what size (M#) the screws are? I need to order some,

 

[repsol23]

I found all of mine previously with the rubber was too thick, but I do have a small adjustable precision one that may fit in my new kit, I'll give it a shot cheers.

Do you know what size (M#) the screws are? I need to order some,

Honestly I borrowed the pic from the review on this link, it seems they are self tapping screws but it doesn't give the exact details. They did come with the box so not sure if you can scour the webs for the tidbit of info:

https://forums.evga.com/Review-of-the-new-Corsair-ML120-Pro-fans-m2513437.aspx