SS Performer frame tube inserts

[HankB]

Good afternoon all,
My SS Performer is getting pretty wobbly so I took it apart today to see what I needed to do to fix it. (0) The two longitudinal bottom rails connecting the part by the wheels and the part under the table have come loose, apparently because the inserts in the tubes have rusted away. I'm wondering if anyone has any info on replacements. The ID of the tube is 7/8" and I did not find anything that looked right on Amazon. I checked McMaster-Carr and found https://www.mcmaster.com/94290A550/ which look right. Before I order I thought I'd ask here in case someone else has run into this and has knowledge of this repair.

Is this the kind of thing I am likely to find at Weber? (I don't think so.)

I did find another post that mentioned these inserts https://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php/topic,45287.msg449123.html#msg449123 and plan to PM the member.

best,

(0) I also plan to provide some kind of cross bracing as it seems to be missing from the design.

Edit.0: While I'm at it, any suggestions for painting the frame. There are a few rusty spots. If I can come close enough, I can just touch them up rather than paint the entire thing.\

Edit.1: I found this post https://weberkettleclub.com/forums/index.php/topic,46343.msg458773.html#msg458773 describing it as a "star nut" and matching the part number I found at McMaster-Carr.  94290A550

[addicted-to-smoke]

Hi Hank! I got your PM (didn't see it until just now) and yes those are the star nuts. I bought the same ones from McMaster. Once you get a new bolt screwed in to a star nut, you sorta tap it in with a hammer. You basically only get one shot at it, so try and keep it straight.

But here's the deal. If it goes in really easily, the inside of the frame is rusted and the star nut won't hold. I suppose there are slightly larger star nuts?

Good luck on the cross brace idea, it's likely needed. I'd be tempted to drill a hole straight through the frame and shove a bolt in to secure at both ends -- possibly using a ferule to lessen the chance of the hole becoming oblong.

I wanna say I've used regular black BBQ spray paint on one of the old gasser frames in spots.