What is the best way to plug bolt holes in the cargo area?

**dmdigital** · 3rd February 2009, 09:34 PM

Chasing ideas as to what to plug the holes left in the back of the Puma when I remove the rear seats from the cargo area (I know I could have bought a 5 seater, but there wasn't one available when I needed to buy the new Landy).

Anyway, I'd though I'll just get some of those push in plastic plugs when I'm out of town. It then occurred to me that this probably won't be a water tight seal. I suppose I could put the bolts back in place, but then I've got a whole lot of nice rounded Torx heads sitting up in the cargo area to catch things on.

What ever I do I want to be able to put the seats back if ever required.

So now I'm open to suggestions

In the mean time... I'll keep adding to my "Things to buy list at Wandin and in Melbourne"

**abaddonxi** · 3rd February 2009, 09:51 PM

Short bolt from below?

Pain to get out, but.

Gaffer tape?

Simon

You know you're never going to use those seats.

**dmdigital** · 3rd February 2009, 10:00 PM

Tape's out as that would result in glue residue to collect dirt.

The short bolt's not a bad idea but wouldn't be accessible for all the bolt holes as some of them are above the tank/chassis rails. Still may be a good method on some of them as I think all bar 2 are captive nuts.

**Sprint** · 3rd February 2009, 10:01 PM

button head bolts?
large grub screws and some loctite?
earplugs?
test tube plugs?

**dmdigital** · 3rd February 2009, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by Sprint

large grub screws and some loctite?
earplugs?

Hmmm 2 possibilities

Grub screws have potential. I suspect the seat bolts are M10, haven't undone one yet to check.

Didn't think of the ear plugs and should have! That's what I have wedging my Tdi's rear windows in so they don't rattle. Works a treat. If it doesn't you can always put them in your ears and it still stops you hearing the rattle

Only issue is they may hold water in the bolt hole, have to check out what the foam's like wet. Then I can just put a plastic plug on top.

**Lotz-A-Landies** · 3rd February 2009, 10:12 PM

Sorry not familiar with the arrangement in the Puma. If they have captive nuts then your best option is countersunk flat head torx screws of the same thread and use a rubber washer or "O" ring for the seal.

Same process if they used a nut plate, however if they are holes and had nuts and washers underneath you can use mushroom headed sealed pop rivets with an appropriate sized panel washer underneath. You can get the rivits in 3/16" and 1/4" with 10mm- 15mm head sizes. For the seal use a bit of butyl-rubber (Mastik) sealant under the rivet before you insert it. Don't use Sikoflex as you'll never get it undone.

**rijidij** · 3rd February 2009, 10:13 PM

I've used small discs of 1mm thick aluminium, about 30mm dia, cut out of a sheet with a hole saw without the centre drill bit (so there's no hole in the middle) Then I stuck them down with silicone. Not too hard to pry off again if you need to.

Cheers, Murray

**dullbird** · 3rd February 2009, 10:33 PM

If its bolt holes you want to fill use rubber grommits

**abaddonxi** · 3rd February 2009, 10:39 PM

Umm, what about upholstery clips.

Coventry Fasteners or something similar.

Lots of cars cover the child restraint anchor points in them, no mess, they'll probably break when they come out, but up until then they'll be almost invisible.

Look-ee here-
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/good-oil/6...tml#post858106

Simon

**dmdigital** · 3rd February 2009, 10:51 PM

Simon, links don't all work in that thread anymore, but it pointed me in the right direction. Found an 10mm thread hole plug with a 22mm flat top (bumper bar plug or hood lining) that I should be able to find. A bit of silastic will give it a seal and it will be easy to remove if required.

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