Riv Nuts And Thread Locker

[mcramsay 198]

The side panels on my marlin are held on with 4 m6 hex head bolts that thread into rivnuts on the chassis. I have found as the car had been driven around all 4 fixings on both panels have loosed off. There is no way for me to fit a locking but on the other side and I am reluctant to use a star washer as it will damage the bodywork, the only other thing I can think of is to use threadlocker, but I'm worried this will then cause the rivnut to spin when I try to undo the fixing. Any other methods of stopping the fixings coming undone?

[Snapperpaul 441]

You can try resetting the rivenuts by using a blot and locknut, if this does not do it then remove panels and drill out fivnets

[mcramsay 198]

The riv nuts are not currently loose, the problem is vibrations when driving are causing the m6 bolt to undo its self from the riv nut, normally I would use loctite but I am wary of doing this as it may cause the riv nut to start spinning.

[kevin the chicken 249]

Loctite make several different strengths of thread lock. Have a look on their website, maybe all you need is a low strength one. I think they list the amount of torque needed to break the grip of the sealer when you undo fittings.

[maccavvy 377]

will a spring washer help.. shouldnt damage paintwork

[Bob Tucker 863]

Many of my aircraft bolts loosen off due to a singlr cylinde engine vibrating like h***.

I use Tippex or similar to add just a touch of sticktion...

[mcramsay 198]

Good idea, something along those lines should work

[agent_zed 274]

I had a screwdriver that takes the removable end bits. It started spinning on the holder to the shaft if i tried to turn screws with a lot of torque, so i dropped some superglue around the joint and it stopped it spinning. Just thinking it might be worth carefully dropping some superglue around the rivnuts just to be on the safeside and give that extra little bit of strength. If you try it test the glue on the surrounding paint to make sure it doesn't cause a problem.

[fry61 1,260]

Is it possible to use a soft fibre, rubber or nylon washer , the compression may add anti vibration to the fixings.

[Gargoil 154]

How about PTFE tape or plumbing leak sealer?

Not designed for the job but as suggested it may just need something a little soft to stop the vibrations.

[2b cruising 597]

Remove panels, remove current nuts and use stainless type.

A good welder should be able to tack outer rim of nuts to chassis without getting weld protruding the original rim depth.

[mower man 545]

Just retension the rivnuts and use a tiny drop of loctite mick

[richardm6994 1,685]

How about PTFE tape or plumbing leak sealer?

Not designed for the job but as suggested it may just need something a little soft to stop the vibrations.

 

Good suggestion ......I will file this one away in the memory banks for future use as I've had similar scenarios as the OP arise myself in the past.