V1 Rivet Nuts

[Jareth]

Did I read somewhere that you have to be careful what material properties you mix?

Should I use brass, aluminum or stainless steel rivet nuts in the frame?

.

 

[Ross]

Well, the frame is steel, so steel riv nuts would be the best...
They usually coat them with cadnium or some other coating to keep them from rusting.
The others can sometimes have galvanic reactions with the steel bolt... but would work too.
I have both aluminum and steel riv nuts.

 

[Jareth]

Thanks, what size have you typically used? For the floor pan I was assuming I would use 1/4-20

.

 

[Ross]

I bought a Harbor freight kit, with 1/4-20 as the biggest riv nuts. then 10-32, and 2 other smaller sizes that I haven't used.
The kit came with aluminum riv nuts, but I bought steel to re-supply the bigger sizes.
The Harbor freight tool can barely do the steel riv nuts.... I kind of wish I would have bought a better tool.
This is the kit I have

 

[Jareth]

I bought this one back in 2019 and never got around to using it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XVB3MMG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[OptimizePrime]

I used aluminum rivnuts as they're easier to clamp in.

Stainless hex cap M4 bolts.

1year in and no issues. This is probably something you don't need to overthink.

 

[Jareth]

I used aluminum rivnuts as they're easier to clamp in.

That makes sense, that aluminum would be softer than stainless and be easier to clamp down. Unfortunately I already have a package of 100 shipped.

 

[Peregrinus]

Many of the cheaper rivnut tools will strip immediately trying to use stainless steel, make sure your tool is up to the task.

I definitely want to use rivnuts for my side panels.

You can always do it with some all thread and a few wrenches if the tool fails.

I really want to buy a pneumatic one, but it's hard to spend $250 on a limited use tool.

 

[Jareth]

This is the one I have.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Bou

This is the one I have.

Bought the same one. It works pretty well. Make sure to get extras mandrels if you are doing a lot of steel rivnuts, they have a tendency to wear quickly.

 

[k.rollin]

If you use well nuts, then you don't need a special tool for installation. As an added bonus, their rubber bodies may help absorb vibration that would translate to panel rattle, and the rubber helps seal the holes. Also, no galvanic corrosion, which was the OP's initial concern.

 

[Corgithulhu]

I'm trying to find some ideas for holding my body panels on when they come in, and I don't have any well nut experience. Do you think they would hold up long term? I would be worried that a few thousand miles of vibration would damage the rubber enough to fail.

My plan so far was to use rivet nuts and run foam rubber tape between the panel and frame tubes to prevent rattling.

 

[SmsDetroit]

I used M4 rivnuts. Then found rubber washers that I put on the bolts to prevent scratches and vibrations

 

[95Blitz]

Yeah man stainless rivnuts are a bear to pull. We had to install some for a Cessna windshield pain in the butt... Aluminum rivnuts or well nuts would be the best way to go.

 

[k.rollin]

Well nuts are easy to replace. Loosen/remove the fastener to minimize the amount the body has expanded, then pull them out with pliers and pop in a new one

 

[PyroGuy923]

Did this last weekend. Had issues until I got it adjusted right. Called for the M4's to be at 6mm compression and it had to be at 3mm or it stripped.

Amazon.com: Rivet Nut Tool, AKKTOL 16" Rivnut Kit Nutsert Tools Hand Blind Riveter with 12 Metric & SAE Mandrels 120 Pcs Rivet Nuts Rugged Carrying Case M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12,10-24,1/4-20,5/16-18,3/8-16,1/2-13 : Automotive

Buy Rivet Nut Tool, AKKTOL 16" Rivnut Kit Nutsert Tools Hand Blind Riveter with 12 Metric & SAE Mandrels 120 Pcs Rivet Nuts Rugged Carrying Case M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12,10-24,1/4-20,5/16-18,3/8-16,1/2-13: Riveters - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Rivet Nut, LOKMAN 175PCS Metric Rivet Nut Kit Carbon Steel Flat Head Threaded Insert Nut Assorted in M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12, Knurled Body (Rivet Nut Kit 1): Home Improvement

Buy Rivet Nut, LOKMAN 175PCS Metric Rivet Nut Kit Carbon Steel Flat Head Threaded Insert Nut Assorted in M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 M12, Knurled Body (Rivet Nut Kit 1): Rivet Nuts - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Corgithulhu]

That's actually the tool I have. It makes really short work of pulling the rivets.

 

[ToxikFlame]

Has anyone used rivnuts/well nuts to attached the floor/firewalls or just the side panels? I think having them removable could be nice, but not sure how they would hold up long term. (Never used them before)

 

[Ross]

I used rivnuts for the rear firewall and tunnel cover.

 

[OptimizePrime]

Yep, I used rivnuts on the floorplan and firewall. No issues with the floorpan but the firewall shakes 'em loose every now and then. I recommend it!