11 replies to this topic

[Chris_R]

Sorry if I'm being a bit thick here, but I've never used riv nuts before!

I want to use riv nuts to secure the wheel arches and a few other things around the car. I've found the riv nut setting tool I want on ebay, and I've found the bolts I want to use, but when it comes to ordering the riv nuts themselves does the size quoted refer to the size of the hole or the size of the bolt they receive. For example, where the description is 5mm STEEL RIVNUT NUTSERT THREAD INSERT, I'm assuming that would be for an M5 bolt??

Also, am I right that I should be using steel inserts and not aluminium?

[minimadjonesy]

I believe you are correct, the 8mm riv nuts I've used in my car accept M8 bolts. And the 5mm ones too M5 bolts.

Also, a lot of the inserts you get are actually copper and are just coated but i don't see much problem with aluminium or steel inserts.

[Dan]

Yes Rivnuts are sized by the thread in them. Use ally or they WILL rust solid very quickly. Even if you put stainless screws in them (you probably don't want to use bolts for wheel arches) once the corrosion between the screw and the Rivnut is tougher than the amount of pressure the nut can hold onto the panel with they will just spin and become very tricky to remove. Ally Rivnuts, stainless screws and Copperslip gives you the best chance of them not rusting solid. Ally ones are far easier to drill out if they do rust solid or start spinning and need to be replaced too. You're only holding wheel arches on, ally will be up to it. If it was anything more heavy duty then steel would be better, just don't strip the threads.

[GraemeC]

Ally ones are also much easier to set and don't need an expensive pair of setting tools.

[Chris_R]

Thanks for that, ally riv nuts and copperslip it is then! I'm going to use black steel allen head socket button head screw bolts for the arches.

[Dan]

Screw bolts? Two different things matey and mutually exclusive! A bolt has a plain, unthreaded shank, a screw is threaded right to the head.

[Chris_R]

LOL, that was a cut and paste of the ebay description! They are indeed screws.

[TopCatCustom]

Screw bolts? Two different things matey and mutually exclusive! A bolt has a plain, unthreaded shank, a screw is threaded right to the head.

I've never thought it was quite as black and white as that- when have you ever heard steel erectors asking for M20x50 screws?! And does an M10x75 bolt suddenly turn into a screw when it loses 10mm and becomes M10x65 threaded all the way?

I'm not arguing- just seems a bit odd to call big fixings screws! We use thousands of bolts and have never had anyone ask for screws when dealing to trade and public!

(Sorry for wandering off topic by the way- riv nuts are great but will corrode and aren't clamped that well through panels, ally ones aren't as easy to find if using fixings suppliers)

[Wil_h]

isn't a set-bolt a bolt that is threaded all the way?

[jimnali]

isn't a set-bolt a bolt that is threaded all the way?

Or is it a set-screw?

[oldman]

MMM Rivnut tool my fav
http://www.memfast.c...?cat=2258002340
Best setting tool I have found, used it a lot on my Lotus 7
Cheers
John

[Dan_chapps_1]

I just did this for my arches. I ordered a tool off of ebay too, as well as some m4 rivnuts, on the description it said the size of the hole needed to put the riv nut in is a 6mm. I also used allen head screws & it looks good!