Jump to content


Photo

Fixing Grille To Body


Best Answer GraemeC , 13 January 2017 - 06:06 PM

I assume that having been riveted on the original screw holes have been drilled out too large.

 

Short of welding them up and re-drilling, your options are:

  Grille buttons

  Rivnuts and machine screws (M3-M4 ish)

  Back to rivets

Go to the full post


  • Please log in to reply
18 replies to this topic

#1 Mini-Mouse

Mini-Mouse

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPip
  • 79 posts
  • Location: Essex

Posted 13 January 2017 - 05:19 PM

I recently removed the grille which the previous owner had attached using rivets, after some difficulty and a snapped drill bit!

 

Now the time has come to refit the grille I am determined not to use rivets. I understand it's supposed to be held on with self tapping screws but there is nothing for the screws to tap into.

 

I tried using locking nuts and pan head bolts but could not hold the nuts the other side of the top rail the grille fixes to.

 

If someone could tell me what I need and where to get them I would be very grateful. - Is it some sort of plastic plate for the screw to tap into?

 

Thanks

 

(Mini 30)



#2 andy159

andy159

    Speedy fingers.

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 837 posts

Posted 13 January 2017 - 05:28 PM

have you thought about grille buttons



#3 Cooperman

Cooperman

    Uncle Cooperman, Voted Mr TMF 2011

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 23,014 posts
  • Location: Cambs.
  • Local Club: MCR, HAMOC, Chelmsford M.C.

Posted 13 January 2017 - 06:02 PM

A set of grille buttons is the best way and is a period modification if you need originality. Very easy to fit and for servicing you can remove the complete grille in under 1/2 a minute.



#4 GraemeC

GraemeC

    Crazy About Mini's

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,300 posts
  • Location: Carnforth

Posted 13 January 2017 - 06:06 PM   Best Answer

I assume that having been riveted on the original screw holes have been drilled out too large.

 

Short of welding them up and re-drilling, your options are:

  Grille buttons

  Rivnuts and machine screws (M3-M4 ish)

  Back to rivets



#5 absx2

absx2

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 814 posts

Posted 13 January 2017 - 06:57 PM

I used little square plastic things that take a screw on my daily drive as the grill had been off so many times the holes were too big.

 

I just filed the holes square and pushed them in, one of my better ideas I think.

 

They probably came out of a door inner skin, possibly to hold the handle or headlight bowl fixings but being in a body shop they were just kicking around in a tin of odds and ends at the time.


Edited by absx2, 13 January 2017 - 07:01 PM.


#6 Mini-Mouse

Mini-Mouse

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPip
  • 79 posts
  • Location: Essex

Posted 13 January 2017 - 07:01 PM

I assume that having been riveted on the original screw holes have been drilled out too large.

 

Short of welding them up and re-drilling, your options are:

  Grille buttons

  Rivnuts and machine screws (M3-M4 ish)

  Back to rivets

I don't really want to start cutting anything up so it looks like I may have to go down the grille button route, although I prefer the clean look of the grille without them. Knowing my luck if I rivet it again I'm going to need to remove it again that same week!

 

An M5 machine screw just about fits through the holes - do you reckon this means the original holes have been drilled out then?



#7 minisilverbullet

minisilverbullet

    Up Into Fourth

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,799 posts
  • Name: Craig
  • Location: Sweden

Posted 13 January 2017 - 07:07 PM

Self tapping screws don't news anything to *tap into' they tap there own thread in plate metal. So you can try a larger self tapping screw. 

 

However if the problem is that the holes are too enlarged, then an option is rivnuts. This is how I have held my grill on. Really simple to fit. 



#8 alex-95

alex-95

    I am THE CLAMP MAKER

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 6,017 posts
  • Location: l

Posted 13 January 2017 - 08:43 PM

Rivnuts for me, I've had them on my car for 4 years and makes taken the grille off easier that the self tappers.



#9 MacGyver

MacGyver

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,027 posts
  • Location: Fribourg

Posted 13 January 2017 - 09:28 PM

Had rivnuts for 14 years, took my grill off twice a week and are still there.
Easy to replace if needed too.
😊

#10 Steve220

Steve220

    Up Into Fourth

  • TMF+ Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 4,877 posts
  • Location: Shropshire
  • Local Club: RAF Mini Club

Posted 14 January 2017 - 05:50 AM

Rivnuts!

#11 Mini-Mouse

Mini-Mouse

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPip
  • 79 posts
  • Location: Essex

Posted 16 January 2017 - 10:07 AM

Managed to fit machine screws and nuts on the 4 outer holes as I could access the reverse via the wheel arches, although doing them up was a two man job. Next time the grille comes off though, I will look to convert to rivnuts based on everyone's recommendations. They seem a whole lot easier once installed!


Edited by Mini-Mouse, 16 January 2017 - 10:07 AM.


#12 MacGyver

MacGyver

    One Carb Or Two?

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,027 posts
  • Location: Fribourg

Posted 16 January 2017 - 11:54 AM

I hope you used nylock nuts... Otherwise You might have a nasty surprise on the road...

...Just incase... 😀

#13 tiger99

tiger99

    Crazy About Mini's

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 8,584 posts
  • Location: Hemel Hempstead

Posted 18 January 2017 - 11:35 PM

For anyone who does want to try the kind of modern plastic fittings discussed above, Bresco are the people to try. They have some proper Mini parts too.

 

http://www.bresco.com/index.html

 

Personally, I agree with the majority, Rivnuts are great things. I would suggest Metric sizes for lowest cost for non-structural things, and stainless pan head or Allen (or Torx if you can get them) machine screws. Much nicer in every respect than self tappers. In places where the back is contactable, you are less likely to have your hand ripped. Fixings through the inner wings are typically where the screw points would present a hazard.



#14 Alice Dooper

Alice Dooper

    Speeding Along Now

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 391 posts
  • Location: Co. Antrim
  • Local Club: Minis in Northern Ireland

Posted 19 January 2017 - 08:13 AM

I hate self tappers!

Rivnuts are great, but if your like me and don't have a setting tool, try the plastic captive nuts. I know it's back to self tappers but screwing into replaceable plastic that holds better is a reasonable second best option.

#15 Mini-Mouse

Mini-Mouse

    Stage One Kit Fitted

  • Noobies
  • PipPipPip
  • 79 posts
  • Location: Essex

Posted 19 January 2017 - 01:09 PM

I hope you used nylock nuts... Otherwise You might have a nasty surprise on the road...

...Just incase...

Yes of course! Oh god the thought of that..!






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users