Anyone use a nut like this?

[Fitz98]

I have some rusted out nuts pressed in the roof of my 2003 Suburban for mounting the roof rack side rails. I originally thought they were welded in, since there is not a nut from the underside. It looks kind of like a t-nut, but the flange is on the exterior side, so what prevents it from popping out?
I have already butchered one hole cutting and bending steel to slide a t-nut underneath and epoxied in place, but I feel there must be an easier, less destructive, more stable way.

 

[P10crew]

Have you looked at nut serts?

 

[tcp71]

Google "blind rivet nut".

 

[mk378]

When the bolt is tightened the first time, part of the sleeve collapses and bulges out like a pop rivet, permanently securing the nut into the sheet metal.

Removal would be the same as a pop rivet-- drill away the top part until the bottom part is free to fall out. This should be possible without enlarging the hole in the car.

 

[P10crew]

 

[tcp71]

Generally they require a tool to,set and collapse the collar. Just tightening the screw makes them spin and not collapse.

https://www.mechanicalcaveman.com/best-nutsert-tool-review-rivnut-insertion-8mm/

Originally Posted by mk378
When the bolt is tightened the first time, part of the sleeve collapses and bulges out like a pop rivet, permanently securing the nut into the sheet metal.

Removal would be the same as a pop rivet-- drill away the top part until the bottom part is free to fall out. This should be possible without enlarging the hole in the car.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted by tcp71
Generally they require a tool to,set and collapse the collar. Just tightening the screw makes them spin and not collapse.

https://www.mechanicalcaveman.com/best-nutsert-tool-review-rivnut-insertion-8mm/

Originally Posted by mk378
When the bolt is tightened the first time, part of the sleeve collapses and bulges out like a pop rivet, permanently securing the nut into the sheet metal.

Removal would be the same as a pop rivet-- drill away the top part until the bottom part is free to fall out. This should be possible without enlarging the hole in the car.



2 nuts a couple of washers put any one of them in as good as a tool.