A panel fastener (20) is disclosed having a hook and cam assembly (21). The fastener has a metallic casing 23 comprised of two sidewalls (24) formed with a boss (27′) inwardly indented from the main sidewall portion through which a cam shaft (28) is journaled. The boss (27′) is formed as a circular or annular recess or depression having an inwardly extending boss sidewall 51 extending inwardly from the sidewalls (24) and extending to an end portion or end wall (52) having a cylindrical terminal end or bearing surface (53). The bearing surface is located along a cylinder substantially coaxially aligned with the cam shaft and substantially normal to the plane (55) of the outer surface of the adjacent portion of the casing sidewall.