When are rivet nuts an ideal choice for an application?

[richtersand]

fastener engineering article (https://fastenerengineering.com/when-are-rivet-nuts-an-ideal-choice-for-an-application/)

[runamuk]

I use them when I attach two pieces that I might want to seperate in the future. In other words, I plan on installing a heat shield between the headers and my footbox, I'll use rivnuts on the footbox so I can bolt the heatshields to them.

[TBull]

Anyplace you want something tool removable. I have custom panels in the engine bay and the transmission cover.i even used them on the heat shields I made. I have them mounted from the inside of the footboxes. The backside provided a consistent spacer for the air gap.

[CaptB]

^^^^What they said.

[GoDadGo]

Most of the smaller things that are removable in my car use a #10/20 Allen Head Screw so that I can use the same tool. Listed below are those items:

> Dash Board
> Stereo Console & Switch Panel
> Transmission Tunnel Top
> Slave Cylinder Access Panel
> Master Cylinder Access Plate
> Fuel Sending Unit Cover Plate
> Fuel Pick Up Cover Plate
> Heater Core
> Stereo Speakers
> Front Grill
> Center Review Mirror.
> Fuse Block

I used larger Rivetnuts for the following items; however, I don't remember the size but I think they were 1/4". Listed below are those items:

> Upper Radiator Mount (To Cross 3/4" Tube)
> Electric Cooling Fan To Breeze Fan Shroud
> Lower Body Mount (Under Doors)

The seats use 5/16''s screws and I did a cool mod to make shifting seats even easier.

> Seats are mounted on Breeze Automotive Brackets thanks to Mr. Mark Reynolds!

Yes, I Went Rivetnut Crazy & Am Glad I Did!

https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

Good Luck!

[CraigS]

I don't really like rivnuts much. When the nut starts spinning in it's panel, which means you can't get the bolt or machine screw out, you may feel similar.

[txboiler]

I don't really like rivnuts much. When the nut starts spinning in it's panel, which means you can't get the bolt or machine screw out, you may feel similar.

I agree with applications others have said and also agree with Craig. One trick that can be used to help prevent rivnut spinning, especially if using stainless hardware with rivnuts, is to put a dab of anti seize threads on thread and not over torque them. If you dislike anti seize because it gets all over the place (maybe it is just me) you can us Boelube. https://skygeek.com/boelube-70201-13-boelube-70201-13-pink-solid-1-6-oz-push-stick.html?utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_content=boelube-70201-13-boelube-70201-13-pink-solid-1-6-oz-push-stick&utm_campaign=froogle&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzrS8stOb-QIVhrLICh0mLAveEAQYBCABEgJtsfD_BwE

Break off a chuck and crumble it up in a ziplock bag, put your fasteners in there and give them a shake before installing.

[Papa]

Really, the only places you "need" them are those where you can't reach both sides and don't want to drill out rivets to remove a panel. Access panels, gear shift trim ring, etc.

[rich grsc]

I don't really like rivnuts much. When the nut starts spinning in it's panel, which means you can't get the bolt or machine screw out, you may feel similar.
To prevent it from ever spinning, I put a small drop of red or green Loc-tite on the outside of the rivet body before setting them.

[GTBradley]

I had assumed that the kind that have the lengthwise ridges would not spin. I didn’t like the smooth rivnuts because of the potential to spin. I like to use them wherever I can, it’s just so nice when you go back and use your cordless drill and Allen bit rather than drilling out old rivets. My favorite spot is the front elephant ears. When you need to work in the lower engine area or headers it’s just so nice to have that panel out of the way. Same goes for the rear panel for accessing the gas tank fill tube.

The big drawback is the tool used to install the rivnut, it needs some space to operate. If someone knows of a smaller, maybe pneumatic tool, I’d definitely buy that.

[edwardb]

To prevent it from ever spinning, I put a small drop of red or green Loc-tite on the outside of the rivet body before setting them.

I generally didn't have a problem with them spinning. But a while back I did start adding a drop of red Loctite on the body before pushing into the hole and pulling them. Good added insurance.

A couple months ago I watched a video from a guy that's an experimental airplane builder. Nut plates are more common, but rivnuts (aka nutserts...) are also widely used. He did a series of tests with rivnets ranging from just a plain crimp to adding super glue, couple different Loctites, and a dab of JB Weld. The JB weld was by far the strongest. Better than Loctite and several times the strength of nothing. Another approach to consider.

[rthomas98]

For me I used a combination. If it was in the thin aluminum I used rivnuts. But anything going into the frame I just drilled and tapped it.

[Hoooper]

definitely recommend JB weld on the outside of the rivnut if youre using it on something that you want to have tightly bolted. Elephant ears and similar that usually get way more bolts than they actually need and dont need to be very tight arent a problem, but if you have them on something you want to actually be tight using JBweld on the rivnut will help you be able to use that more than just once without spinning the rivnut. I used rivnuts to attach my flat bottom panels to the bottom of aluminum square tube. A big piece of aluminum flat bottom coming loose and flapping under the car I dont want, so those got JB weld. For the elephant ears I just used ribbed rivnuts on their own and barely tighten the bolts. Rivnuts IMO should only go in material like aluminum that you want/need the steel of the rivnut for threads, for steel I tap if thick enough or weld a nut in if the base material isnt thick enough to tap.

[Jeff_J.]

Aluminium vs steel rivnuts attached to aluminium panels, I have read about galvanic corrosion being an issue so I figured aluminium rivnuts but then SS screws are the problem. What is the generally accepted best choice?? MK4 152255 arrived last week so panel prep is about to start..
Jeff_J.

[CraigS]

Aluminium vs steel rivnuts attached to aluminium panels, I have read about galvanic corrosion being an issue so I figured aluminium rivnuts but then SS screws are the problem. What is the generally accepted best choice?? MK4 152255 arrived last week so panel prep is about to start..
Jeff_J.

These responses will be great to read. I just learned about JBWeld for rivnuts. Thanks EdwardB. I am a fan of JB already but never thought of it for rivnuts.

[GThompson]

Another option is Dzus fasteners, 1/4-turn fasteners. I’ve used them in a few different placed on my Daytona such as the panel over my pedals for changing the clutch cable, the tool box cover in the rear floor, and the oil check/fill panel in the nose (like the originals have so the nose doesn’t have to be lifted just to check the oil).