Tapping Read Longerons

[graeme_laslett]

All

 

Attempting to remove the rear clam, and hit a slight problem.

 

There are 6 bolts in the luggage compartment that go through the clam into the rear longerons. All six bolts just spin freely so what every they are retained by must have rusted / broken off the longerons.

 

Before I try and grind these bolts out, I have to come up with a solution to be able to replace the bolts and the best I can come up with is to tap a thread into the longerons.

 

Has anyone else had the same issue? Is there a less drastic solution? Would tapping a thread in to aluminum logerons be secure enough?

 

TIA

 

G

[Martin R]

IIRC they are flat top rivnuts. They look something like this

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/25-Rivet-nuts-Rivnuts-Nutserts-M10-Steel-Flathead._W0QQitemZ380178468602QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=157374034023&rvr_id=157374034023&cguid=30eb3e9f1280a0aad2f4b9f4fe8c06e6

 

They are inserted using a tool that crimps them up and secures on sheet steel / ally. You are going to have to grind / drill the heads off. You could probably drill the heads off if you stop them spinning using a pair of mole grips etc.

 

When you have the clam off all will become apparent. You will have to replace the old ones after the clam is off. I bought a set from RS. Shame you are miles away.

 

I think this was the one. Im sure you could half the price on ebay.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=6235549

IMO you also want the Ally fixings.

[graeme_laslett]

Martin

 

Thanks again for the advice

 

I'll get on with drilling / grinding the heads and see if I can source a rivnut setter

 

Cheers

 

G