F1 Panel Fixings

[Bigadz]

So when removing the F1 panel to replace the cooling pipes, most of the rivnuts came out along with the panel (typical).

I could buy a rivnut tool and some m6 rivnuts but it looks like the flange is too thick to accomodate such a nut which is maybe why the originals fail and come out quite easily as it is outside the 'grip range'?? Or maybe they are okay - has anyone replaced these with standard type m6 open ended rivnuts?

Alternatively is there another solution which people have used for the panel? Thanks

[pmessling]

From what I've seen is that the rivnuts are glued in. Could try some fibre glass resin. And bond them back in?

[M3John]

What about fitting some Clench Nuts in their place?

[Bigadz]

Hi Peter,

yes this is what it looks like to me, may have to superglue them in or something as Im stuggling to find an M6 rivnut which will grip that deep. The max I can find is 8.5mm but I think that flange might be even thicker than that - will check when home tonight.

[Bigadz]

Thanks John, havent really used clench nuts, would they be suitable in thick fibreglass?

[M3John]

Bigadz said:

Thanks John, havent really used clench nuts, would they be suitable in thick fibreglass?

I'd imagine so. Can't really see a problem why not.

Edit ;

I've some other things here in work but for the life of my can't think of their name. They are VERY similar to the Trisert or Foamsert that are listed here : http://www.tappex.co.uk/

Edited by M3John on Monday 25th March 12:50

[Bigadz]

Okay, I'll look into it. Are they straightforward to fix in?

[M3John]

very straightforward. I'd be inclined to put a bit of epoxy-resin around the outer thread too just to give it a bit more purchase.

[gerradiuk]

Mine all pulled through or worse just turned in the hole !!
I just put them back in with some car body filler & they seem solid since last year.

[touching cloth]

Just done some here, bought a tool off ebay and a bunch of M6 rivnuts - 1 held ok but as your predict on the whole the others were just too loose and spun around or pulled clean out. We ended up packing them (the now pre compressed ones so there was a lip) in with some quick steel - seem to holding ok - imagine packing them in with any sort of fibreglass or filler etc would work ok, although M3Homo's things may be better still.

[Bigadz]

Thanks guys,I will use some 2 part araldite and bond them in. Just have to remember not to torque up the panel bolts too much!

[M3John]

Bigadz said:

Thanks guys,I will use some 2 part araldite and bond them in. Just have to remember not to torque up the panel bolts too much!

Remember its only a small bit of trim. Marginally more than finger tight will suffice. (Aka "just nipped up").