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Rivnut problems
deeceee09 - 21/10/13 at 05:01 PM

Does anyone have any bright ideas on how to extract screws from Rivnuts that have come loose? No easy access of course as an ali panel obscures the fixing.

yellowcab - 21/10/13 at 05:10 PM

Story of my life - its a bugger.

Awaiting ground breaking replies also...

loggyboy - 21/10/13 at 05:19 PM

Ally or steel rivnut?

40inches - 21/10/13 at 05:22 PM

If you can get a lever under the edge of the panel, put pressure under the head of the screw while unscrewing. If that doesn't work drilling, or chiselling off the screw head.
I fell out with rivnuts years ago, I no longer use ally ones, they spall on the thread and lock the screw in, only use steel or stainless, but self tappers, or a thread tapped into the chassis tube has never let me down yet.

[Edited on 21-10-13 by 40inches]

[Edited on 21-10-13 by 40inches]

deeceee09 - 21/10/13 at 05:40 PM

Thanks guys. I'll get back to it in the morning. They are steel Rivnuts into MS tube with SS screws. Did try the levering from behind idea but that access not too great either.

40inches - 21/10/13 at 05:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by deeceee09
Thanks guys. I'll get back to it in the morning. They are steel Rivnuts into MS tube with SS screws. Did try the levering from behind idea but that access not too great either.


That's a real b*gger, I hate rivnuts with a vengeance, you can have twenty holding a panel, but it only takes one that spins to ruin your day

yellowcab - 21/10/13 at 05:48 PM

quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
I hate rivnuts with a vengeance, you can have twenty holding a panel, but it only takes one that spins to ruin your day
Brilliant! Best quote of the year so far.

austin man - 21/10/13 at 06:38 PM

try tightening it first with a bit of speed ie an air ratchet or impact gun, this sometimes tightens the rivnut back into to panel

bi22le - 21/10/13 at 07:08 PM

I have solved this in the past in two ways.

1) If it has 8mm bolt then use a ratchet to pull the bolt off at an angle before undoing it. This may allow additional grip as its gripping the to and bottom of the plate to prevent turning.
2) Depending on head use a suitable sized open ended spanner or pliers to pull the head away. If this dont work then as suggested, screw it in tight to try and re grip the rivnut.

I think these may have been mentioned but thought I would state in my own words.

Bare - 21/10/13 at 08:01 PM

It may be possible to wick in a wee bit of Ca (crazy glue) into the bit of the rivnut that fixes into the panel it's supposed to clamp permanently on.
Oil the threads first! cuz if you bungle it and glue the screw threads then you will need to grind the Rivnuts' mounting flange (and still stuck in there screwhead)...Off.. to remove the rascal.

Irony - 21/10/13 at 08:10 PM

If its a rivnut with a big flange try gripping with small molgrips.

Its happened to me a few times but I still feel they are better than Satan's very own fixings - self tappers.

snakebelly - 21/10/13 at 08:24 PM

Try not to use rivnuts anymore for this reason but if i do then i smear the exterior with PU adhesive first and always always grease bolts or set screws before fitting them. Bit late i know but thought i would share.

Not Anumber - 22/10/13 at 12:11 PM

I need to buy a few rivnuts. What type are less prone to failing/ spinning.

deeceee09 - 22/10/13 at 12:37 PM

OK ground the wretched things off in the end

adithorp - 22/10/13 at 12:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Not Anumber
I need to buy a few rivnuts. What type are less prone to failing/ spinning.


Steel, plated and splined. Drill the hole size so the rivnut is a tight fit before riveting.

David Jenkins - 22/10/13 at 03:38 PM

On occasions I have put a tiny weld on 2 or 3 places round the rim of the rivnut, then tidied it up with the angry grinder to give a flush top (needs a gentle touch!).

Of course, this is a bit of 'bolting the stable door when the horse has bolted' when you're trying to get a screw out of a spinning rivnut, as described in the OP!