Hi, I am in  the process of changing front passenger side door lock module on a 2007 mk1 Fabia 1.9tdi estate.  All is going well apart from I am having problems fitting rivnuts in place of the rivets that are used to fix the inner panel to the door.  I am using M5 stainless steel rivnuts and i am rounding off nuts trying to set the rivnuts.  I am using a hex head screw throught the middle with washers against the rivnut and holding the screw while doing up the nut.  I would welcome any suggestions/advice on the best way to to this. 

I have read in this forum that other people have successfully used rivnuts for this application.  What size and material is considered best to use?

Thanks in advance for any help.

There is a special setting tool that I think you should be using.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/THREADED-NUT-RIVET-INSERT-TOOL-GUN-RIV-NUT-RIVET-M4-M8-RIVETER-/121548521074?hash=item1c4cdb3e72:g:KjYAAOSw4GVYNvWe

 The tool screws into the rivet nut thread and works line a pop rivet gun, and will probably apply more force than you can do with a screw.

Edited 28 April, 20179 yr by KeithCheetham

If you really are using stainless nutserts then you will need a very capable tool with a lot of leverage, maybe steel of aluminium ones would be easier.

I have successfully done M4 steel nutserts using a 12.10 grade socket capscrew and stack of washer method but not certain if that will scale to M5.

I always held the nutsert with pliers, made certain the bolt and washers were lubricated and drove the bolt with an allen key.

If you are using a conventional plated bolt I think it is likely to seize up or break.

I know from experience that M6 ones were the biggest I could do with the type of tool shown before I had to arrange the work to use my body weight to force the handles together.

Now I have a tool with a cam action and that makes M6 inserts go in easily. Can't find a picture of that type of tool online.

 

Hi, thanks for replies.  I think as mentioned above the stainless rivnuts are hard to set.  I will try and get some steel or aluminium.

I would like to hear what size and material rivnuts others have used to fit an inner door panel and method used to set the rivnut. 

Regards

I bought a Sealey Rivnut tool (AK3984) for approx £30 delivered.  It looks well made and was easy to use and set the rivnuts well.  I used M6 aluminium.  Have now finished the lock module replacement and all is well!