Drilling into D3 engine bay

[Triplezed3]

Hello,

Im looking to attach a custom air compressor bracket to the engine bay of my D3. Right in front of the battery. The compressor and bracket are quite heavy. Any suggestions on what I should use to attach the bracket to the engine bay? Tek screws, self tapping screws?

zzz

[John_D4]

Rivnuts are strong

[crawal]

Rivnuts are strong
Yup would be my choice if you dont have a proper gun to pull them a local panel shop may help

[scarry]

Or if you can get access,bolts with nyloc nuts and suitably sized washers.

Teck or self tapping screws would not be ideal,they will fall out with the vibration.

[John_D4]

You can seat a rivnut using a bolt and a nut. There’s some instructions on how to make a home made one on the Internet. It works. Before I bought a rivnut gun I installed the rear ladder in the D2 with a nut and bolt.

[loanrangie]

There is already a few threaded holes in front of the battery, there might be a wiring clip in one but easily moved.

[IvanR]

I used the threaded points by making up another plate with a flat space for the compressor and profiling it match the curve of the inner panel in front of the battery

Ivan

[HarryO]

No need to drill any holes there are already 2 threaded nuts in the bodywork just in front of the plastic of the battery / fuse box - use those to support the frames with a 3rd strut running down to the bottom mounting bolts of the coolant holder mounting..

[Triplezed3]

I went for the rivnuts. Never used them before. Seem pretty strong. Thanks everyone

[John_D4]

Did you end up buying a kit or just use a bolt and not to seat them?

[Triplezed3]

Did you end up buying a kit or just use a bolt and not to seat them?

Had 4 x M8 rivnuts to do. I used diy tool (nut and bolt) for one of them. Was faster to do the other three with the proper tool. Bought on ebay and came with 60 rivnuts for $42.

Will definitely use rivnuts again so was a good investment and saved a lot of time.

[DiscoJeffster]

Have been using them for over 25 years. Best thing ever, after electronic fuel injection [emoji4]

[loanrangie]

Have been using them for over 25 years. Best thing ever, after electronic fuel injection [emoji4]Only them once but about to buy myself a set.