Working on a budget, I decided to try the two spanner method of rivnutting...

I inserted a bolt into the insert with washer and nut on top. When I wind the nut down all it seems to do is grip the insert and wind it off the bolt.

Am I doing something wrong? The insert seems tight in there as i had to tap it into the hole with a hammer.

try a bit of copperslip on top of the washer

Drill a hole in a bit of scrap steel bar, roughly 1 foot or so (300mm) - exact measurement not required!

Put the rivnut in the hole, put the nut AND a washer on the bolt, put the bolt through the bar and fully into the rivnut. The washer will help the nut to turn, but loads of grease helps.

Now you need 3 hands... ... hold the bar, hold the bolt head with a socket, and turn the nut with an open-ended spanner. I used to brace the bar with my knee...

Hopefully you will find that the rivnut doesn't turn, and gets expanded to hold its place.

HTH,
David

would you like to borrow the tool ?

i made this one myself as i needed one for a tight m8.




diy rivnut tool

[Edited on 22/10/07 by COREdevelopments]

Why do you guys have to complicate things?

I have the proper tool as well and found it no where as good as this:

Drill a hole in a bit of scrap with a lip you can hold (hole the same size as the bolt for the rivnut).

Grease head of bolt.

Grease a washer and slide it onto the bolt.

Thread bolt & washer through hole.

Screw rivnut finger tight onto the bolt.

Insert into orifice on car.

Hold scrap metal.

Mark your socket with a line and tighten 3 and a half turns only for ali rivnuts.

Unscrew bolt.

Job done.

Pat...

quote:

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Originally posted by Avoneer
Why do you guys have to complicate things?

<followed by construction details>

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Yep - but no nut involved on mine and you can do it with just the two hands!

Pat...