Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
Anyone know what these are called. They attach the roof rack to the roof on a station wagon.
Name that fastener
- Thread starter Princess Valiant
- Start date
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Rivnuts
pishta
I know I'm right....
yup, just was looking at some last night for a project.
70chall440
Mopar or No Car...
AKA Nutserts
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
Yep.....Rivnuts. You need a tool that works like a rivet gun to install them. If those are ok, and you don't have to remove them, use a little teflon tape on the screws when you put the rack back on. I did that on my 64 Belvedere wagon's roof rack screws, and it never leaked a drop.
gunbunny
Well-Known Member
Well nuts, blind rivet nut, nutsert, and rivnut,
In a roof, I would use a rubber well nut. They do a really nice job of self sealing as you tighten them up.
In a roof, I would use a rubber well nut. They do a really nice job of self sealing as you tighten them up.
Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
Princess Valiant
A.K.A. Rainy Day Auto
Oddly enough this one never leaked even with a beat up dry rotted seal.
Of course, this is the desert where It rains a couple times a year lol
Treblig
Well-Known Member
Yea, but it's a "dry rain"!! LOL
Rivnuts or Nutserts are the brand names. They install just like a pop rivet.
Cope
Fusing with fire
Dont ever try and use them in a "blind" hole, you will break the install tool.
Same goes for small gauge inserts, dont use 10-32, 1/4-20 in anything other than sheet metal or you will pop the end off the tool. Even 1/8" is to thick for the small size inserts.
When you snap off then ends order new ones off E bay.
Also make sure to double crush them. Crush once then tighten up the tool and re crush. It sucks when one spins.
Trust me.....
Same goes for small gauge inserts, dont use 10-32, 1/4-20 in anything other than sheet metal or you will pop the end off the tool. Even 1/8" is to thick for the small size inserts.
When you snap off then ends order new ones off E bay.
Also make sure to double crush them. Crush once then tighten up the tool and re crush. It sucks when one spins.
Trust me.....
If you are going to "use" the roof rack, the rubber well nuts will tear out if there is any uplift. Seen it first hand.
All I use any more for installing the nutserts is a thin piece of metal with a handle and a hole the size of the bolt being used. Kind of like a spatula. Just thread the bolt through the hole in the "spatula" and into the nutzert and tighten the bolt (preferably with a controllable impact tool) until the nutsert is crimped. Might put a little stress on the threads but it works for me.
Cope
Fusing with fire
I have seen them used to hold on a rear bumper with a class 5 hitch... thank god the hitch never got used.
I seen em used to hold seats in.....
They aren't really load bearing.... that roof rack is a fine use but beyond that amount of load I would find another way to attach.
I have 4 different insert tools. Two like you mentioned and two rivet gun style. I mostly use the large rivet gun style by Astro.
I link it in a sec.
Astro Pneumatic - 13" Hand Rivet Nut Kit w/ Rivet Nut Assortment
If you have access to the back like in Princesses picture, double nut inside the car and a washer on top, then tighten the bolt will work in a pinch.
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Some nutserts can be had with a nice soft seal where they mate to the panel.
JDMopar
Well-Known Member
I know it just breaks @Princess Valiant heart to have to buy more tools! 
Nutserts/Rivnuts are also used to hold mirrors on truck doors.....if you're trying to justify buying the install tool. You might be able to rent one at Autozone or Advance.
Nutserts/Rivnuts are also used to hold mirrors on truck doors.....if you're trying to justify buying the install tool. You might be able to rent one at Autozone or Advance.
Demonic
Well-Known Member
I had to repair one on my Fury wagon when I had it. Borrowed the tool, bought an insert at the hardware store. Used the thick, blue locktite on it. Had another one spin, sucks, like Cope said. I'd bet most Mopar wagons used them for the roof rack.
mopowers
Well-Known Member
Those things are a sinch to install without a special tool. They make self-sealing versions too.
famous bob
mopar misfit
AGREE WITH THE ABOVE , I USE S A SOCKET WRENCH AND GREASE THE THREADS , HOLD THE HOME MADE TOOL BY HAND >
famous bob
mopar misfit
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
I don't understand the point in holding the sliding nut with a wrench if its loose as just acts as a wedge.... but cool demonstration that is easy enough. I wonder where he got the rivnut kit at? He said he got the hardware for the tool at lowes I wonder iv he got the rivnut at lowes also?
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
mopowers
Well-Known Member
The method in the video is slightly different than what I do. I use a star lock washer against the rivnut, then a nut, washer, and bolt. The nut and lock washer help hold the rivnut stationary in it's bore. As said, it's very important to drill the hole such that the rivnut fits VERY tight. You don't want that thing spinning in it's bore.
I get rivnuts at my local small town hardware store or local Fastenal, even though Lowe's may have them as well. I just can't stand buying that kind of stuff at Lowe's. The people there are pretty tough to talk to IMO.
Also, I probably wouldn't use aluminum rivnuts like in your amazon link. I'd be afraid of them stripping out.
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