Captured Nuts

[Andy B]

No not a costume malfunction!

When I "bumped" a rear fender on the Seven I managed to pull three captured nuts out of the aluminum body. Is there a fix or just a matter of dressing the aluminum flat and using nuts, bolts and large washers?
Luckily I can get to the inner side where these nuts were.

With Nut
http://www.pbase.com/sarrana/image/113177726.jpg

No Nut
http://www.pbase.com/sarrana/image/113177746.jpg

[WayneB]

Andy, they are called "Rivnuts" and If you dolly the aluminium flat again you can replace them If you have the Rivnuts and the tool (like a pop rivet gun)

http://www.aimfasteners.com/about_rivnut.html

A nut/bolt and a washer may work If you can get to the back of the nut to hold it to stop it from turning whilst the bolt is being tightened (usually rivnuts are only used in places where access to the nut would be difficult or even imposible once the part is mounted on the car.:(

[Andy B]

Thanks Wayne, there are a couple of specialty fastener places in Toronto I'll give them a try.

[WayneB]

Brifasco and Fastenal are a couple of good places to get them.

[bdboyle]

Brifasco and Fastenal are a couple of good places to get them.

And...the old standby...Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Corp.

www.aircraftspruce.com

[WayneB]

I've found coating the thread of the bolt with white lithium grease upon re-assembly hugely increases your chances of being able to dissasemble later on without the Rivnuts twisting themselves free.:)