Andy Warren

Well-Known Member
Full Member
Hi all, does anybody know if the metal is thick enough to be tapped with an 8mm thread to hold the brackets to the underside of the boot floor ? I've got to replace the whole lot on both sides & didn't want to buy a rivet gun just for the sake of two rivets.
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Buy a rivnut gun... It's one of those things you didn't know you needed until you've got one. It won't be "just the two rivnuts".
 
Nope it isn’t, unfortunately but lift the carpet and sound proofing and you weld a nut to screw into if you want,
 
Nope it isn’t, unfortunately but lift the carpet and sound proofing and you weld a nut to screw into if you want,
Yeah I think that's the way I'll go I might try a stainless coach bolt,not welded of course, & file a square to stop it spinning when I use a nyloc nut to fit the bracket.
 
Buy a rivnut gun... It's one of those things you didn't know you needed until you've got one. It won't be "just the two rivnuts".
I've not looked at the prices but I would like to fit the diff lock mechanism, as mine has the internals in the t/b, & it would be handy after drilling out all the rivets from the plate to gain access & putting bolts back instead.
 
Get a blind rivet gun, that put a collapsible thread insert in, the one I got does up to 12mm thread and it works well

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Get a blind rivet gun, that put a collapsible thread insert in, the one I got does up to 12mm thread and it works well

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Thanks for that it does look a handy piece of kit, I'll have a word with the financial advisor when I catch her in a good mood:) . I've just ordered the Tuff-Rok stainless steel comp. kit in the mean time I'll get me grinder out:eek:.
 
I've not looked at the prices but I would like to fit the diff lock mechanism, as mine has the internals in the t/b, & it would be handy after drilling out all the rivets from the plate to gain access & putting bolts back instead.
Done something similar to mine, captive nuts held with two normal rivets, cheaper than a rivnut gun and bits,
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Get a rivnut gun. As soon as you have one and realise how incredibly useful they are you will wonder how you survived without one.
I used mine last weekend. The M5 domed bolt that holds the LHS of the fuse box to my sons Defender's bulkhead was loose and not holding. Drill out the hole a touch, insert an M5 rivnut and job done.
 
Get a rivnut gun. As soon as you have one and realise how incredibly useful they are you will wonder how you survived without one.
I used mine last weekend. The M5 domed bolt that holds the LHS of the fuse box to my sons Defender's bulkhead was loose and not holding. Drill out the hole a touch, insert an M5 rivnut and job done.
Yeah me arms being thoroughly twisted in that direction:)
 
Yeah me arms being thoroughly twisted in that direction:)
They’re not that expensive. They have their limits though. Mostly access as they need a lot of room to operate the levers. It will be fine for this job though. If it was me doing it and I had the carpet out, I would either weld a nut on, or just use a stainless bolt and nut. Not a nylock nut either. I think they are a pain as I’d rather be able to just spin a normal nut on and use a spring washer.
 
They’re not that expensive. They have their limits though. Mostly access as they need a lot of room to operate the levers. It will be fine for this job though. If it was me doing it and I had the carpet out, I would either weld a nut on, or just use a stainless bolt and nut. Not a nylock nut either. I think they are a pain as I’d rather be able to just spin a normal nut on and use a spring washer.
Yeah, although the boot carpet is still in, all the plastics are out after replacing the fuel sender & I've still got to refit my newly covered roof lining but in the absence of any welding gear, rivet/nut n bolt job are options. I'll wait to the mud flap kit turns up & use my best brain cell & go from there. Having all ready spent lots of beer tokens on it already I'm trying to keep costs down :).
 
Yeah, although the boot carpet is still in, all the plastics are out after replacing the fuel sender & I've still got to refit my newly covered roof lining but in the absence of any welding gear, rivet/nut n bolt job are options. I'll wait to the mud flap kit turns up & use my best brain cell & go from there. Having all ready spent lots of beer tokens on it already I'm trying to keep costs down :).
I get it mate. Money is always an issue on these things. If the bracket is in good condition and properly painted etc, I would just bolt it. I wouldn’t expect to need to do it again for a long time. I’m going to have to do it some point and I plan to make a more robust bracket, or fab one from a sheet of stainless I have somewhere.
 
watch this


I'll nip to my local fastner place tomorrow, pick a few up & have a play. I ground the old rivets off today & luckily the holes are in the trough parts of the fluted boot so a rivet nut or flange head stainless bolt would work great.
Thanks all.:)
 
I get it mate. Money is always an issue on these things. If the bracket is in good condition and properly painted etc, I would just bolt it. I wouldn’t expect to need to do it again for a long time. I’m going to have to do it some point and I plan to make a more robust bracket, or fab one from a sheet of stainless I have somewhere.
Unfortunately every part of those metal mud flap are shot, inc. the brackets I ground off today.:(
 

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