Argh... Rivnuts!

[Silverstoned]

Putting the rivnuts in my Golf tonight so I can install my OEM skidplate. I got the front 4 in no problem, the passenger side subframe one with little effort. Now I'm stuck. I can't find anything to butt the wrench up against for the middle one, and I've wrecked two rivnuts trying to install on the driver's side of the subframe. Looking inside the hole, it looks like there are two sheets of metal sandwiched together to make the part where the rivnut bites nearly twice as thick as the other holes.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any tips on how to get these last 2 in? I have to go back to C1 tomorrow and get two more after two failed attempts on the driver's side. It should not be nearly this difficult... time for a beer.

[alba]

Re: Argh... Rivnuts!

Use an impact

[Silverstoned]

Re: Argh... Rivnuts!

impact worked perfect for the middle one. I'm starting to wonder if there is some damage to the subframe. The one on the driver's side popped out again and I had significant pressure against it and it was perfectly flat in the hole when I started tightening it down. It's like when the rivnut starts to expand the shape of the second layer of metal in the hole pushes it out. Trimmed up the splash guards and installed the two long front support pieces. I'm half tempted to install it with the one bolt missing but for now I put the plastic spash pan back on and tapped over the rivnuts until I can get the last one in as I won't be able to get over to C1 until some time next week to get another rivnut and try a fourth time.

sooooo frustrating.