Probably the wrong subforum but couldn't find a better place to start the thread. I am installing some abs door cards into my NA and I'm debating using rivets vs rivnuts. Does anybody recommend one of the other for this application and a kit that would serve well in my humble toolbox.

Thanks in advance!

 

Third alternative: pom rivets. https://www.harborfreight.com/90-pie...not%20provided

 

Rivnuts suck. Rivets are good, but only if you don't plan on removing them. They can be removed, but drilling them out can waller out the hole, and it's just a pain to drill out every time. I would highly recommend a nut plate like this: Pegasus Nut Plate If it's an application where a weld nut is possible, then that is also a good solution, although it's likely not easy for a door panel.

 

I vote rivnut. They don't seen any real torque in that situation so they will be fine. I used the plastic puch rivet things for bodywork

 

Another vote for rivnuts. People who don't like them are using them for the wrong things.

I use this one:

 

Q1 Will you ever remove them?
Q2 Will you ever change configuration?

 

I bought the rivnut kit from harbor freight. Got ss rivnuts since it didnt come with enough for what I had in store...it broke. The hydraulic ones are good.

 

Simplified:

 

i use the rivnut tool from amazon posted. one of my favorite tools since i dont have a welder right now. I will add that all rivet related items ive used from HF are useless

 

 

Thanks vlad! Lol

 

The two just achieve very different things. A rivet nut makes it possible to create a threaded hole in a blind application where you can't reach the backside. Very handy in certain cases. The risk is that if the rivnut comes loose, you can't easily remove the bolt. In some cases you have to destroy a part to try to get to the backside to get a clamp on the loose rivnut or cut off the bolt. Loose rivnuts are usually the result of improper installation or incorrect application. There's a lot of times a rivet nut is the wrong tool for the job, but there are also plenty of great applications for them. Good practices to follow with rivnuts:
- Only use them in low-torque non-critical situations that do not see significant loads.
- ALWAYS use a rivnut with ribbed body which has much better grip than a smooth body.
- Only consider using rivnuts if the surface is metal (never in fiberglass, plastic, etc.)
- Never install a rivnut in a hole that is larger than what the rivnut size calls for (Not even a little bit. For example M6 rivnuts require 10mm hole so get that drill bit, don't round up!)
- Never install a bolt in a rivnut with any threadlocker like loctite, etc. (If you need to keep a bolt from loosening use a lock washer)

Installation of door cards is a good example of a perfectly appropriate use of a rivet nut. You don't want to rivet a door card in place because you need to remove it occasionally for services/repairs. The door is steel so the rivnut will have good grip. The door cards don't have any loads on them and the bolts holding them on don't need much torque.

 

I really appreciate all the answers especially Ryan Passey. I went with the astro 1442 that Mr. Ryan Baker mentioned!

 

This one only comes with the metric parts, but has worked great for me. Will save about $20 if you don't need the standard bits.