Decided I should actually get round to doing this today despite the rain as I thought it would be a quick job. I tracked down the rivnuts with the proper part number, cost me over the odds but I wanted to get it right first time. They're the ones with a large diameter base (no need for a washer), I'm therefore wondering who has used these rivnuts. I know they're tolerance fit and meant to be snug but I was expecting to be able to push them up into the holes but they don't want to go in easily. I tried a gentle tap but didn't want to go any harder in case they started expanding.

If anyone used any different type that slotted in easier, what size were they if you can remember?

The bolts and captive are supposed to be M10 aren't they? Anyone used M8? Could give me the external diameter of the rivnut I need, I'm confused, it all seemed like it was going to be so easy...

Cheers

When I fitted the riv-nuts into the sub frame prior to bolting up, I ended up hammering them in place with a club hammer !!!.

They were and should be a tight fit.

 

Did you get the audi ones that are used with the strut brace?.

So they were M10? Approx external diameter 12-13mm? And its ok to whack em?

So they were M10? Approx external diameter 12-13mm? And its ok to whack em?

 

Yes, you wont collapse it. I put some underseal on hole edge prior to assembly to help prevent rust forming.  

 

ive got a spare one and have just measured it :-

 

Washer end dia = 45mm x 3mm thk 

Outside diameter of collapsible threaded end = 13mm

Hex Bolt ouside diameter = 10mm (M10)

Total overall length of riv nut  = 18mm

 

One of the subframe holes was a bit on the big side and the riv nut just spun as i tried tightening it with the bolt. I ended up welding extra metal on the ouside surface making it an interferrence fit and hammered it in.

That stopped it spinning when the bolt was tightened, all good.

Yes, you wont collapse it. I put some underseal on hole edge prior to assembly to help prevent rust forming.  

 

ive got a spare one and have just measured it :-

 

Washer end dia = 45mm x 3mm thk 

Outside diameter of collapsible threaded end = 13mm

Hex Bolt ouside diameter = 10mm (M10)

Total overall length of riv nut  = 18mm

 

One of the subframe holes was a bit on the big side and the riv nut just spun as i tried tightening it with the bolt. I ended up welding extra metal on the ouside surface making it an interferrence fit and hammered it in.

That stopped it spinning when the bolt was tightened, all good.

Nice one, cheers for that, mine is pretty much the same as that, 45mm head and 13mm riv, M10 thread, the riv body is a bit longer though but yeah, that's it. Both my subframe holes are tight so as long as I can knock it in it should grip nicely. Cheers dude, I'll get a bit braver with the mallet.

If in doubt, give it a clout

If it really is that tight that you can't knock it in, just run a drill slightly smaller than the riv nut in first to give you a snug interference fit.

Sure you got the right holes, done few of these and never had any problems.

Should look like this

 

Should fit here http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/234081-s3-lower-strut-brace/ post #19

Should look like this

 

S3 brace rivnut 001.JPG

That's the soldier, and yeah there's only one pair of holes exactly bar length, roughly in line with the wheels?

If it really is that tight that you can't knock it in, just run a drill slightly smaller than the riv nut in first to give you a snug interference fit.

That could be worth doing, cheers