OK, I need some help..I bought some nerf steps for my new Dodge HEMI pickup. The kit came with rivnuts. spent time on the search on how to install the rivnuts, I needed a rivnut installer..I made one and hope it works..Help and feedback would be appreciated.. Duane.
hey thats pretty good, those things are a pain to install. I made something to install plate nuts too, center section that drops in the center hole and then it uses clecos to hold it while drilling the holes, more into on your tool please.
looks like it will work the tool makes for faster and easier, but if you only got a few to do the method you pictured is commonly used if your in socal, i got the tool if ya wann use it skull
I have the tool for installing those. You can use a washered nut with serationson the bottom side. Get the next size bigger than your bolt. put the nut between your rivnut and bolt and hold the nut while tightening the bolt. The serations on the nut will grip the flange and the rivnut will collapse.
Most of the body shops that I worked at didn't have the installation tool; so we would make our own, just as you described. The homemade tools works better on the aluminum rivnuts than it does on the steel ones; at least it seemed to me.
I've always wondered: does it make sense to put some Loctite bearing and sleeve retainer on when you install them? Reason I ask is that I have come across Rivnuts that work loose; they don't hold well and when you try to back out the bolt the whole thing spins round - especially with the aluminum ones. Maybe the Loctite would help prevent that. Thoughts?
I've always looked at rivnuts as device that should work well the first time you use them. If it is going to be something that is going to be coming off a few times, all bets are off. If they get corroded you will probably have a hard time getting them apart. I always hated repairing a truck or car door that rivnuts holding the mirror on; they would always or almost always be a problem. If you were trying to pull a bolt out and the rivnut started spinning, I would jam a screwdriver between rivnut and part; and try to spin the bolt out with an impact.
no, loctites not gonna hold them ive used the inserts from various suppliers, some work better than others...dont wanna drill the hole to big skull
We use them sometimes at work. I like never seize on the fastener that goes into the Rivnuts. Then when you want to remove the fastener it's not trying to spin the Rivnut because it's not rusted/corroded.
A torrington bearing between nut and drive washer would be a big big help. If those are steel nuts...i dunno. I just took another look and seem you have an extra nut up high. I'd have two washers with a torrington bearing between the rivnut and pull nut. Another nut isn't used and the head of the bolt is just a handle, allthread could be used.
The last time I used a rivnut installer, I needed some special size, and the local ACE HARDWARE loaned me their tool, free of charge. If that helps. Otherwise, the car dealer I worked at used them for many accessories like what you are doing, and most every tech had an installer. But it was metric, and didn't help in my situation. If you ask around to some techs you know, you might be surprised how many of them have this tool, and never use it anymore.
In the pop rivet area, a little packet with a mandrel, just a threaded shaft, use a pop rivet tool to install.
OK..If the rivnut is steel, what should I use as a tool, if wrenches won't work..Would a electric drill work..I would be scared to use air tool, it might pull the arbor(bolt) all the way through, stripping the threads on the rivnut????????? Duane.
that will work ive done the same thing myself($70 from the matco guy or junk ive got in my box for free)..just know that if you care about the paint tape around it off really well....ive had my ratchet slip once and cause a repaint
First, I want to thank you all for the info..I used my home made intaller and it worked great, easy and fast. I put a little grease on the washer so the nut would turn easier. Mine where steel and crushed very easy.. Duane.
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