Screws/Bolts in Bodywork?

[Spinal]

I need to fit some P-clips to the bodywork (to hold a snorkel), any ideas of how to fix them?

They are too thin to weld on, and the holes too big for a pop rivet.

Being double-skin, I can't get to the inside to fit a nut... so I was thinking expanding screws, but the part of the screw that expands is usually quite a gap away from the head (designed for thicker material than a few sheets of steel).

Any ideas?

m.

 

[lxi]

One way (it'll be a pita) would be:

Get an appropriate nut & bolt
Drill outer skin big enough for threaded part to go through
Using snips / dremel cut (say) four straight "spokes" at 12,3,6 & 9 o'clock
Fold out these quadrants so the bolt head & a washer can be fiddled in
Fold the flaps back
Fit washer, then clamp
Fit nut & tighten (very tight )

Now someone else will find the perfect fitting !

 

[Spinal]

Thanks, I had thought of something similar, but drilling a hole large enough for the nut (or bolt head) about 1" higher, then cutting a slot as wide as the threaded part down until where it needs to hang.

As long as it's tight enough, it wouldn't jiggle "upwards" and fall out.

I'm not looking at "large flange" pop rivets, which may work... but a little concerned of the strength of alu pop rivets when faced with ~5kg of pipework bouncing around off road...

M.

 

[KennyN]

Use a clinch / rivet nut , we use them all the time for thin materials that require a "fixing"

You drill a hole then insert the nut and use the supplied tool to crimp it in position.

Kenny

 

[gegs88]

Google "rivnuts" they are designed for this job and are a strong fixing

 

[Spinal]

Those look perfect! Thanks

 

[Giantvanman]

Rivnuts need a setting tool which can be expensive…….a local indy Landrover place will have one because they are common fitment on Defenders.

 

[Spinal]

Bought a tool on ebay for £11 and 40 rivnuts (M6/M8) for £3 or so... didn't seem too bad.

Maybe I've screwed something up?

 

[KennyN]

Maybe I've screwed something up?

Was that not the original idea

Kenny

 

[Giantvanman]

Bought a tool on ebay for £11 and 40 rivnuts (M6/M8) for £3 or so... didn't seem too bad.

Maybe I've screwed something up?

I am well out of touch. Last time I looked at buying one was at least seven years ago and the were considerably more than that. Good find Shame I no longer have a use for one.

 

[Spinal]

Keep in mind it may be a cheap piece of tat that bends after setting one nut...

In which case I'll revert to two spanners, a nut and a bolt (saw it on youtube). Not ideal, but as I'm only setting 5-6 rivnuts should be ok... I hope.

Meeting with a exhaust garage this afternoon to see if they can do the sump guard. A little dubious as they quoted £80 to weld a 12" piece of pipe to the rear (nothing else, just a pipe straight on so that I can slide a flagpole in)

M.

 

[Spinal]

Quick update, the £11 tool worked Rivnuts set, and snorkel practically finished