HELP: Concerned about AFT roofrack mounting points

[mikeonb4c]

Went to undo the bolts holding my caravanstore mount (which is fixed using the two n/s M4 threaded inserts on the AFT) and - unlike the last time I removed the unit - when I went to undo the bolts, the complete insert started turning. I managed to hold the front one from turning using a piece of wire to jam the slim hex sided top to the thread insert, but had less luck with the rear one and the complete insert came loose and pulled out easily. Does anyone know how these are fixed into the AFT plastic as they seem to be a polished stainless steel cylinder that is held into the plastic only by - what? - glueing? I'm wondering how strongly these lugs are retained and if - with age - they could work loose (hard to believe a blind retaining could have dropped off with the small amount of turning I did) . Not so funny if you were carrying a load and the slipstream got underneath it and lifted it.

Anyone got any ideas also on what kind of spanner might fit onto the hex sided heads to the inserts in order to stop them being strained when undoing a tight roof appliance fixing bolt? There's not much space between the hex head and the recess in the AFT it sits in

Expect I'll araldite the insert back in and coppergrease the bolts next time plus tighten them only lightly, but its not ideal.

[markdogwalker]

hi
iam a sheetmetalworker and we use these things, from time to time
( rivetnut )
a bit like a pop rivet they work the same , on compression .
i myself dont like them , they arnt meant for on off use .
they allways end up spinning ,and are a nightmare when that happens,
interesting thats whats up there , wouldnt be my choice

[munroman]

With thanks to Bongolow

They are held with a nut underneath and some gooey 'gunk'. It needs to be tightened or the nut will eventually come off, as did one of mine (fortunately I spotted it in the roof space). I would suggest you remove them all and re-fit with some fresh sealant and some Locktite on the threads. You can just about get at the nuts with the roof up.

Note - they just go through the plastic of the roof, not through any metal, so personally I would be wary of putting anything very heavy on them. I have carried a roof box full of gear without any problems though (once I'd tightened them..!)

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc20 ... _0069a.jpg

[mikeonb4c]

Excellent and thank you guys. Its on the (never ending) list.

[munroman]

"Anyone got any ideas also on what kind of spanner might fit onto the hex sided heads to the inserts in order to stop them being strained when undoing a tight roof appliance fixing bolt? There's not much space between the hex head and the recess in the AFT it sits in ."


Mike, could you possibly use a flat bladed screwdriver which might sort of jam in the recess as you loosen the fixing bolt?

Derek

[mikeonb4c]

"Anyone got any ideas also on what kind of spanner might fit onto the hex sided heads to the inserts in order to stop them being strained when undoing a tight roof appliance fixing bolt? There's not much space between the hex head and the recess in the AFT it sits in ."


Mike, could you possibly use a flat bladed screwdriver which might sort of jam in the recess as you loosen the fixing bolt?

Derek

Well guessed - thats almost exactly what I did, only I used a piece of thick wire. I think I might make up some kind of two-pronged fork out of a piece of metal ready for next time, as the principle worked OK (its how I won the battle with the front one) until the hex nut started to win over the soft metal wire.

[thedogsbollox]

"Anyone got any ideas also on what kind of spanner might fit onto the hex sided heads to the inserts in order to stop them being strained when undoing a tight roof appliance fixing bolt? There's not much space between the hex head and the recess in the AFT it sits in ."


Mike, could you possibly use a flat bladed screwdriver which might sort of jam in the recess as you loosen the fixing bolt?

Derek

Well guessed - thats almost exactly what I did, only I used a piece of thick wire. I think I might make up some kind of two-pronged fork out of a piece of metal ready for next time, as the principle worked OK (its how I won the battle with the front one) until the hex nut started to win over the soft metal wire.

bicycle spanner perhaps or grind down a regular spanner.

[thedogsbollox]

I would also suggest that if yours is as the picture above and you are worried about it popping out then thread the smooth bit to give it some bite in the araldite.

[veebug74]

If ur stuck mike i have a rivnut gun and various inserts /drills/bolts etc.
Gladly help u out for a pint

[mikeonb4c]

Sorry - should have updated the thread. In the end it was a simple matter just to put the bits back together again. I didn't have any loctite handy so hope it will do 'as is'. Must make up a tool so I can hold the hex head still while I unscrew the M4 bolts next time around (I'll also coppergrease them a bit to stop binding next time around)

[mikeonb4c]

If ur stuck mike i have a rivnut gun and various inserts /drills/bolts etc.
Gladly help u out for a pint

Incidentally, I had a couple of Bongo sightings on Hale Rd, one last Saturday night late, the other a few days earlier near the airport end, heading towards Altrincham around 9:20am. Both sightings were white Bongos I think - the nighttime sighting was brief and it was dark! Wasn't you was it?

The nose in air types around here must be starting to get used to Bongos appearing in these parts I think - tee hee

[Rhod]

Note - they just go through the plastic of the roof, not through any metal, so personally I would be wary of putting anything very heavy on them. I have carried a roof box full of gear without any problems though (once I'd tightened them..!)

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc20 ... _0069a.jpg

The mountings are actually quite strong. I tried to remove my Karitek roofrack by ramming a protruding pipe on the Corran ferry The mountings of the rack bent & some of the metalwork on the rack was damaged, but the roof & mountings survived with no damage (except cracking of the side of the roof where the bent rack impacted on it!).

[veebug74]

If ur stuck mike i have a rivnut gun and various inserts /drills/bolts etc.
Gladly help u out for a pint

Incidentally, I had a couple of Bongo sightings on Hale Rd, one last Saturday night late, the other a few days earlier near the airport end, heading towards Altrincham around 9:20am. Both sightings were white Bongos I think - the nighttime sighting was brief and it was dark! Wasn't you was it?
The nose in air types around here must be starting to get used to Bongos appearing in these parts I think - tee hee

Yes that would of been me on way back from nec classic car show sat night and alty.
set off for work on an early 5.30am, green bongo infront of me finished 6pm guess what white one behind common as muck.Mates a mechanic at hannover garage in altrincham done a few headgaskets says theres lots in timperley /alty that hes worked on ,loves them as well

[veebug74]

Rather than having a hex headed bolt to undo each time ,i would buy threaded bar in whatever size u need m4,6,8 etc.
wind it into the rivnut then work out how much thread u need above for rack bracket /bolt and chop x4 the same etc.
Then wind down a shallow nut and thin washer to lock the thread to the rivnut .
Then slide the rack etc onto remaining thread ,washer on top and another nut ,can undo as many times as u want.
Other option is to drill out the rivnut/inserts put new ones in but before clenching them place a large washer underneath for it to grip on .

[mikeonb4c]

If ur stuck mike i have a rivnut gun and various inserts /drills/bolts etc.
Gladly help u out for a pint

Incidentally, I had a couple of Bongo sightings on Hale Rd, one last Saturday night late, the other a few days earlier near the airport end, heading towards Altrincham around 9:20am. Both sightings were white Bongos I think - the nighttime sighting was brief and it was dark! Wasn't you was it?
The nose in air types around here must be starting to get used to Bongos appearing in these parts I think - tee hee

Yes that would of been me on way back from nec classic car show sat night and alty.
set off for work on an early 5.30am, green bongo infront of me finished 6pm guess what white one behind common as muck.Mates a mechanic at hannover garage in altrincham done a few headgaskets says theres lots in timperley /alty that hes worked on ,loves them as well

Excellent. Couldn't believe turning out of my road and the first car I see is a Bongo. Yup, there are a few lurking around here, and increasing. NeilT is over by Well Green, Shad is in Timperley and I used to be aware of about 3 others in Timperley or Hale. Its becoming a hot spot. V. useful to know you have a mechanic mate in Alty who is tuned in to Bongos. Might file that for future reference when a jobs too much for me (I can do minor stuff, as long as it doesnt involve my dodgy back too much)