Installing RAI

[tims29]

Hey all,
Just bought a OEM LR RAI over the net from UK. Arrived all OK but I have no idea how to use the captive nuts that are installed in the wing and the A pillar. They just seem to sit in the holes you drill - What holds them in??? Please help someone....
thanx

[oldsalt]

They're "rivnuts" and you need a special tool to put them in ... you can get the tool at a good tool shop - not the local Bunnings - mine cost about $80.
It compresses the rivnut into place and "voila" it becomes a captive nut !!!!
cheers

[Tombie]

Not here in Oz they aren't!

The are Nutserts in AUS and known as such...

And yes, a tool makes life much easier.

[Wilbur]

Not here in Oz they aren't!

The are Nutserts in AUS and known as such...

And yes, a tool makes life much easier.

Yep, they are called Rivnuts in Australia...... very helpful distributor.

Rivets Rivnuts & Tooling - Dafra - Melbourne (03) 9555 6872 (http://www.dafra.com.au/)

[CaverD3]

You can also make a puller by using a bolt and a nut. Thred the nut onto the bolt and screw into the riv nut. Place on hole, tighten the nut hard up against the top of the riv nut.
While holding the nut against the rive nut with a spanner undo the bolt and the rivnut will be pulled against the nut.
Takes longer and is more fidly but if a tool is not available it works.
You will find some places that sell riv nuts will have a tool to loan.

[jonesy63]

One other thing to consider - from all accounts I've seen, the metal in the A pillar is especially hard to drill. Go slow and make sure you have a couple of sharp drill bits.