Trans Bolt Holes 3rd Gen Camaro

[brian schuetta]

Eman were they loose in the folded sheet metal frame? Auto Zone never heard of that type of rivet gun BTW. Hope to work on it again tonight.

[ss3011]

If you google rivnut, or rivet nut , or nutsert , there is all kinds of information, and you-tube video's on where to get them, and how to install them . Very useful !!

[brian schuetta]

I just looked at rivet nut tools! I bet i could find somebody smarter than me to fix this mess for less than those tools cost.

[ss3011]

I agree on the price, but you have to be able to hold the insert from spinning has compress the sleeve, which you probably cant do by just threading in a bolt . Glad you found a place to borrow one !

[Eman]

Mine were stripped out, not loose. I just drilled and retapped what was there. Loose isn't a problem as they will tighten up when the bolt tightens. If I have any furthur problems all I would do is drill a hole in the side of the sheetmetal frame member and use a nut inside. There isn't much pressure on those bolts.

[ss3011]

Originally Posted by Eman

Mine were stripped out, not loose. I just drilled and retapped what was there. Loose isn't a problem as they will tighten up when the bolt tightens. If I have any furthur problems all I would do is drill a hole in the side of the sheetmetal frame member and use a nut inside. There isn't much pressure on those bolts.

I think the problem with Brian's car, is the trapped nuts are rounded off, so they just spin in the cage. Kind of like the trapped nuts in my 1973 Firebirds spring hanger, when the clips break you need to cut them out, bummer !

[Eman]

I could swear mine were welded in. Car's in the trailer so I can't look now. I know they weren't loose when I worked on it. Maybe some years are different.

[brian schuetta]

Yes ss3011 that's what's happening. Didn't get home in time to work on it last night.

[ss3011]

I figure the biggest problem is getting out the old nut, if you have to cut it out, then I guess you could just weld in a new nut , Domm suggested welding the existing nut, If you can get at it , that would work. You could use the rivnut idea, but install it in a different place, so you wouldn't have to get the old nut out . I think you could make your own tool with a longer bolt, nut and washer , you could then hold the bolt, while you tighten the nut, this would pull on the insert , without spinning it . Worth a try !

[Mark Yacavone]

Drill it out clean
Put the nut-sert in the hole and tack the lip 2,3 spots.
Grind flush.
Pull the insert down with a washer and bolt.