Alloy Fittings

[Bob]

Anybody help with where to get the alloy threaded inserts fitted to the engine cradle on a Hawk that the splash guards screw into?. I could do with two sizes, one's the spash guard size (bolt's about 4mm) and one's the cable tie for the engine cover (bolt's about 5-6mm). Do these squash when first tightened or do you need a tool to fit?.

Cheers

Bob.

[CorseChris]

They sound like Rivnuts Bob. A number of sources. CBS for one, but their 'cheap' tool is just that, cheap and a bit weak. They need setting in place with a tool, or you can do it with a combination of a bolt and nut with some luck.

[Bob]

Thanks for the reply Chris. You probably realise they're in an enclosed box section, how does the bolt and nut theory work?.
Do you have a web address for them too?!. Google doesn't seen too forth coming!.

Cheers

Bob.

[strat6v]

Best tool i found was spiralux (rivnut kit) wouldn't waste my time with others.

[Bob]

Where do I start looking - I haven't found a supplier of the fittings or a tool to fit them yet!.

[mogul_x]

You probably realise they're in an enclosed box section, how does the bolt and nut theory work?
You can install rivnuts using a bolt and nut, plus a couple of washers. Ideally, you'll want a bolt about 35mm long, threaded the entire length, washers sized for the bolt, and a thick nut that's about 1.5 times the diameter of the bolt head.

Put one of the washers under the head of the bolt. Slide the oversized nut over the bolt, put on the other washer, then thread the rivnut down the end of the bolt so it contacts the second washer. Place the whole assembly in the hole where you want to install the rivnut. Hold in place with a wrench on the oversized nut, and start turning the bolt. The rivnut will collapse, and the effort needed to turn the bolt will increase once it's seated.

You can remove the bolt, washers, and nut and reuse them repeatedly. We've installed hundreds of rivnuts here at work using a similar setup.

[Bob]

Thanks for that Scott, much appreciated. I've sourced some now - just need to try your instructions!.

Bob.

[strat6v]

bollhoff fastenings.

Get some steel ones then you won't have problems with the threads seizing

[Bob]

The current ones are alloy so I'm replacing with the same. Thanks for the info.