Freelander Side Step Installation

Hi,

I just got a set of official Land Rover side steps for my Freelander.

The instruction booklet shows a special tool for putting a "nut" in to
the box sections underneath.

The holes already exist in the box section , but the "bolt" needs to
be put through these holes and a special tool used to crush the back
of the "bolt" against the other side of the box section - rivet style

The bolt then fits in to this to secure the side step brackets.


Questions -

1. Where can I get one of these tools - whats the likely cost

2. Is the fixing secure ?

3. Any alternative methods that do not involve special tools ?

In article <[email protected]>, DM wrote:
>
> The holes already exist in the box section , but the "bolt" needs to
> be put through these holes and a special tool used to crush the back
> of the "bolt" against the other side of the box section - rivet style
>

They sound like Rivnuts. They are used in some places on my Defender.

>
> Questions -
>
> 1. Where can I get one of these tools - whats the likely cost
>

Try googling for rivnut. I found http://www.nfauto.co.uk/rivnut.htm

> 2. Is the fixing secure ?
>

Don't see why not.

> 3. Any alternative methods that do not involve special tools ?

Don't know, I'm luck enough to be able to borrow a rivnut tool from work
so I never tried looking for alternatives. I have heard of people just
using a nut, bolt and some washers instead of the correct tool.


HTH

--
simon at sbarr dot demon dot co dot uk
Simon Barr.
'97 110 300Tdi.

In article <[email protected]>, DM wrote:
>
> The holes already exist in the box section , but the "bolt" needs to
> be put through these holes and a special tool used to crush the back
> of the "bolt" against the other side of the box section - rivet style
>

They sound like Rivnuts. They are used in some places on my Defender.

>
> Questions -
>
> 1. Where can I get one of these tools - whats the likely cost
>

Try googling for rivnut. I found http://www.nfauto.co.uk/rivnut.htm

> 2. Is the fixing secure ?
>

Don't see why not.

> 3. Any alternative methods that do not involve special tools ?

Don't know, I'm luck enough to be able to borrow a rivnut tool from work
so I never tried looking for alternatives. I have heard of people just
using a nut, bolt and some washers instead of the correct tool.


HTH

--
simon at sbarr dot demon dot co dot uk
Simon Barr.
'97 110 300Tdi.