Pop rivets in Window Regulator

[linandal]

Hi Guys,

 

 I need to replace the passenger side window regulator on my '54 reg Fabia 1. One of the plastic clamps broke and would the cable around the pulley. Can I use a TorX wrench to remove the door lock as none of my Torx's fit!

The older models had screws to hold the regulator in place but Skoda seem to have replaced these by quarter inch ally rivets. Where can I obtain them, please? I have searched the Net without a lot of success, most of what I can find are too long!

Has anyone had experience with these rivets and if so what tool did you use? I cannot see an ordinary pop rivet plier doing the job unless you are Superman.

Is there any way that I can perform some "reverse engineering" and use captive nuts and screws?

 

Regards,

 

Alan.

[pastie]

I drilled the rivet hole to 5.4 mm on the regulator and pressed in and M4 insert,which allowed me to use m4 bolts,much easier to reassemble.

If you are around Bucks area drop by and i could help you with it.

[NathanG]

I drilled out the rivets and put a thread down there.

[linandal]

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately the rivet holes in both the regulator are already 6.4mm (one quarter inch) so I cannot do that! I had considered using captive nuts which involves drilling out the holes in the door to 3/8 inches or 9.8 mm which would accomodate a 5mm bolt. Still considering this.

Regarding the door lock bolts which are "Bi-Hexagon" headed, i.e. 12-point star splined, in spite of contacting my local Skoda dealer (bloody useless) and most of the local auto-factors in the town I still do not know where to obtain a tool to remove these bolts!

Please can anyone help?

[NathanG]

Where do you live, any local motor factors normally sell them, failing that use ebay.  I just typed 'spline sockets' into ebay and came up with 1699 results.  I'll check later what size you need for the door lock.

[linandal]

Hi Casual Beard Grower,

 

Thanks for your reply. Local Motor factors NBG might as well go to Tesco, how they stay in business (Romsey) I don't know.. Tried Halfords "on line" but again no luck there either! I eventually managed to purchase a set 5mm to 12mm from "Toolsinstock.com" (Googled "Spline sockets") for a reasonable price ( they do a good range of other Auto tools) so will have a go next week which means that I can take out the piece(s) of wood propping the passenger side window shut. Not too enthusiastic on some of e-bay products as sometimes not very good quality, My opinion only.

A word on the Regulator, the holes in the door for the rivets are 1/4 inch (as are the 3 in the centre of the regulator plate) but  the peripheral holes are 5/16 inch. An M6 bolt would need a washer under the head for a decent purchase. Adequate clearance wouldn't you think. As an ex-aircraft fitter i'll say no more.

Yesterday I visited a scrapyard with my eldest who was after some parts for his Volvo, there were three Fabias within spitting distance of the car he was looking at and believe it or not there was not a single Window regulator among them. Seems like it's a component that's always going wrong. I probably have enough kit and experience for when the next regulator goes belly-up.

About the rivets:- OK I can understand that rivets are much cheaper than captive nuts and bolts and no doubt Skoda saved a few pennies on each car but as far as maintenance goes not a really good idea.

[NathanG]

Here's the link to Halford spline set.

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/garage-equipment/socket-sets/halfords-advanced-professional-7-piece-spline-bit-socket-rail-1-2

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TMB]

Machine Mart does a nice set. I've had this same set for years and it's served me very well...

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht144-40-pce-torxspline-bit-holder-s

[NathanG]

Machine Mart does a nice set. I've had this same set for years and it's served me very well...

 

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cht144-40-pce-torxspline-bit-holder-s

 

Thats a really nice set, think i may have to get them tomorrow.

[vigyaz]

I did a repair on my wifes window regulator for exactly the same problem only a week or so ago! its quite an arkward b!@#% to do, fortunately for me she has an 02' plate furby which comes with screw inserts instead of rivets, im sure however there must be some inserts which you can buy to replace the rivets, i found a 'specialist' socket piece set from my local screwfix for £30 (forge steel tools), which had the spline bit i needed in amongst other interesting bits im sure will come in handy, here's the link:

 

http://www.screwfix.com/p/forge-steel-specialist-bit-star-socket-set-37pcs/63378

 

 

also here was the little bugger that caused me the problem :p

 

image hosting over 5mb

[vigyaz]

also as a side note to replacing the rivets, these look good:

 

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/271027066338?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108

[TMB]

Thats a really nice set, think i may have to get them tomorrow.

 

Cool

[pastie]

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately the rivet holes in both the regulator are already 6.4mm (one quarter inch) so I cannot do that! I had considered using captive nuts which involves drilling out the holes in the door to 3/8 inches or 9.8 mm which would accomodate a 5mm bolt. Still considering this.

Regarding the door lock bolts which are "Bi-Hexagon" headed, i.e. 12-point star splined, in spite of contacting my local Skoda dealer (bloody useless) and most of the local auto-factors in the town I still do not know where to obtain a tool to remove these bolts!

Please can anyone help?

You're right,i used M6 inserts and bolts,they are PEMs from TR fastenings.

It was quite easy for me as i have an entire sheet metal workshop at my disposal.

I bought quite a good multi spline set from halfords,they even replaced it after it was butchered to fit an awkward job