Nutserts how to.

[C. Anderson]

I was wanting to put a pair of overfenders on my coupe but I didn't want to rivet them on and I didn't want to mold them because of track days. I searched and came up with this idea. Nutserts! You can get them on ebay as a kit in standar threads or metric threads. I chose metric M6 threads (the same thread that most of all the 10mm bolts are on the chasis). This is how it works.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1480.jpg
Pick where you want the nutsert with a drillbit the size of thescrew you're using.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1481.jpg
Drill through the fiberglass and through the metal.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1482.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1483.jpg
Now get a bit that is the size of the nutsert.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1484.jpg
Now remove the fiberglass piece and drill out the small hole in the metal with the larger bit.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1485.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1486.jpg
Now screw the nutsert onto the special rivet gun.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1487.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1488.jpg
Insert the nutsert.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1489.jpg
Now squeeze the handles just like a regular pop rivet gun.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1490.jpg
Unscrew the threaded shaft.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1491.jpg
Place fiberglass piece back and line up hole.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1492.jpg
Screw into place.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1494.jpg
Done!
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1496.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1497.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1498.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1500.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1502.jpg

I did my sideskirts also for daily driving but in track events I will remove them and just use zipties. If I didn't and snagged a cone the sidskirt would tear to pieces. In the pics the hex screws are not stainless. You need stainless so they won't rust. Also I bought this kit http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/METRIC-RIVNUT-RIVET-NUTSERT-TOOL-KIT-COMPL-w-NUTSERTS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35625QQihZ024Q QitemZ370066016999QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW . This kit comes with 12 of 4 sizes.

[Addicted2Kouki]

hrm. so basically its like a rivet except not permanent...
or tapping a thread into the body kind thing.

[DOOK]

that's cool... never seen that kind of thing before... it's like helicoil kinda deal for body work

[JVD]

Do have pics of them installed without the sideskirts on? I want to see how much they stick out.

[C. Anderson]

I'll get some more pics up in a few hours.

[Jonnie Fraz]

^^^
Go to Mcmasters car http://www.mcmaster.com/ search nut serts. They have all the specs on how much they stick out, how long and such.

[Nachtmensch]

wow... thats awesome! +rep

[LongGrain]

thats pretty cool. i'll definitely look into it when i go widebody.

[Bigsyke]

Awsome concept. get some anti seize because those bolts will rust quick.

[C. Anderson]

I'm getting stainless screws soon and the nuserts are zinc plated. Here are some more pics. They sit super flush and don't leak at all.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1503.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1504.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1505.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1506.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1507.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1508.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1510.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1512.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1513.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_1514-1.jpg

[blueshark123]

yea it will be 100% better when u get stainless steel ones for sure

[ThatGuy]

Steal: to take without the owner's consent

Steel: an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction

Class dismissed.



95drifto, nice how-to. I use products very similar to these on our aircraft and I often wondered about using them for an automotive application. Good stuff. :bow:

[blueshark123]

oops fixed now lol

[C. Anderson]

95drifto, nice how-to. I use products very similar to these on our aircraft and I often wondered about using them for an automotive application. Good stuff. :bow:

Thats cool, I didn't know that ThatGuy.Thanks everybody!

[JVD]

Cool. Thanks for the pics! My car came with things like these but they're kinda thick. These look like they fit pretty flush.

[mjjstang]

wow looks awful.

[ThatGuy]

wow looks awful.

I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

[brian m]

wow looks awful.


It'll probably look better after it's painted with stainless hardware.

Can't wait to see the finished product!!

[C. Anderson]

It's getting paint in two weeks. I can't wait, it's the first time I've had fresh paint.

[mjjstang]

I mean I like the idea, I have never heard of this stuff. I think it looks good for what it is, but I dont know, I am a fan of seamless integration ESPECIALLY in body work. I understand that it works for removal, but I guess If I were to track my car, I would not worry about body in the first place. Thanks for introducing me to these nifty pieces of hardware though.

PLEASE post pics when paint/stainless is installed, I would really like to see the final product.

[yokotas13]

man i use those things for SOOOOOOOOOOO much stuff

used them to mount my diffuser and splitter, center console, and a few other things.

my aero will be held on by them as well

[floodo1]

depending on the size, you might also be able to use aluminum screws, which you may be able to get in a color closer to your body work.

I dont think this will matter much for the OP, since his body work appears to be prety silverish, where stainless wont stand out much, but for other people with other colored body work, or for other applications, it may help out.

[slw240sx]

i own two of these things and i never even thought to use them. I used them all over my interior for mounting my wiring harness stuff and coil packs, but now i have a new use, also you can get smaller 6mm hardware for them and use alum machine style screws.

[C. Anderson]

Sorry for the late update, but here they are replaced in stainless and the car painted. The paint is 350z diamond black.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2410.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2408.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2409.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2404.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2402.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2400.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2396.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2394.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2385.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/95silvia06/IMG_2387.jpg

[timster]

That car's mean looking. +1 virtual rep.

[racepar1]

Why exactly do the 1/4 panels need to be removable?

[C. Anderson]

Why do they have to be riveted or epoxied on? Rivets get loose over time and you have to replace them. Also if I were to break one I just paint it drill holes in it and screw it on instead of drilling 20 rivets out and re riveting.

[heyitzalan]

Why exactly do the 1/4 panels need to be removable?

well, if anything go wrong, remove it. being permanent is not always a good thing.:hs:

[Dr.Baby]

have you honestly ever had a rivet come loose? i havent.

[racepar1]

Why do they have to be riveted or epoxied on? Rivets get loose over time and you have to replace them. Also if I were to break one I just paint it drill holes in it and screw it on instead of drilling 20 rivets out and re riveting.

If it is riveted and glued (with the right glue) and done correctly the rivets will NEVER come loose. If you break the 1/4 panel it is pretty much the same amount of work to replace it. I mean it takes what, like 10 mins max to drill out the rivets? It is a good idea for the sideskirts as it would be nice to be able to remove those to jack up the car or prevent damage at a drift event. I just don't see a point to the 1/4 panels and on top of that it looks like crap IMO.

[C. Anderson]

If it is riveted and glued (with the right glue) and done correctly the rivets will NEVER come loose. If you break the 1/4 panel it is pretty much the same amount of work to replace it. I mean it takes what, like 10 mins max to drill out the rivets? It is a good idea for the sideskirts as it would be nice to be able to remove those to jack up the car or prevent damage at a drift event. I just don't see a point to the 1/4 panels and on top of that it looks like crap IMO.

I would like to see you remove an epoxied riveted overfender and replace it in 10 min. considering you have to get all of the old glue off of the metal 1/4 panel. Rivets do come loose over time if you don't use some type of epoxy if it is tracked. The body will just flex and give them a little play. I don't know about everybody else but I use overfenders to run a wheel track. As far as the side skirts I don't run with the screws in them at events. I run zipties in them because if I dirt dropped or hit a cone the zipties would just break and leaving the screws in would do MORE damage by breaking all the mounting points not allowing for it to come off. I really don't care what it looks like but it works and I like the way they look. It will be a track car in about 2 months so it would be nice to be able to repair things easier. If you like show cars thats fine but I like track cars more because they are actually used. Overfenders look awsome IMO.

[Dr.Baby]

why the hell are you guys epoxying overfenders + rivents???? pick one, they dont come loose if you know how to use a rivet gun and use the proper sized rivets.

either way, og poster, good idea, i wouldnt do it but it doesnt look bad and its a cool idea.

[JRas]

that car is sexy

very nice job

just a suggestion but maybe paint them the same color as the car so they don't stick out as much?

[C. Anderson]

that car is sexy

very nice job

just a suggestion but maybe paint them the same color as the car so they don't stick out as much?

Thanks! I've thought about painting them or just getting them powdercoated.

[racepar1]

I would like to see you remove an epoxied riveted overfender and replace it in 10 min. considering you have to get all of the old glue off of the metal 1/4 panel.

It only takes about 10 mins to drill out the rivets and remove the panel, removing the epoxy or silicone would OBVIOUSLY take longer.

Rivets do come loose over time if you don't use some type of epoxy if it is tracked. The body will just flex and give them a little play. I don't know about everybody else but I use overfenders to run a wheel track.

That's because you are using the wrong rivets and it SHOULD be attached with an epoxy of some sort. Overfenders are of course used so that you can run wider wheels with less offset.

As far as the side skirts I don't run with the screws in them at events. I run zipties in them because if I dirt dropped or hit a cone the zipties would just break and leaving the screws in would do MORE damage by breaking all the mounting points not allowing for it to come off. I really don't care what it looks like but it works and I like the way they look.

That is why everybody attaches their body panels with zip ties. I think it is stupid, but that is only because I track my car not drift it.

It will be a track car in about 2 months so it would be nice to be able to repair things easier. If you like show cars thats fine but I like track cars more because they are actually used. Overfenders look awsome IMO.

You are barking up the wrong tree about track cars vs show cars man. I am a well known track whore here. The only difference is that I do not drift, nor do I have a ton of interest in doing so regularly. If you like it then cool, I just don't (especially with the silver allen bolts). Smashing an overfender is not something I would be worried about and on top of that if you do smash one it is quite likely that you will have larger issues then simply replacing the overfender itself. So it really doesn't make sense to go to the trouble of trying to make it easily replaceable.

why the hell are you guys epoxying overfenders + rivents???? pick one, they dont come loose if you know how to use a rivet gun and use the proper sized rivets.

either way, og poster, good idea, i wouldnt do it but it doesnt look bad and its a cool idea.

I am not talking about a heavy duty epoxy, just something to keep the edge of the overfender tight with the metal between the rivets.

[Katsumbhong]

Correct me if i'm wrong, but doesn't the use of NutSerts on exterior paneling of a car make it easier for thieves to Deebo your shit?

[C. Anderson]

It only takes about 10 mins to drill out the rivets and remove the panel, removing the epoxy or silicone would OBVIOUSLY take longer.

My point exactly. NO glue.


That's because you are using the wrong rivets and it SHOULD be attached with an epoxy of some sort. Overfenders are of course used so that you can run wider wheels with less offset.

What, pop rivets. Also why would you need glue if your using the "correct" rivets.


That is why everybody attaches their body panels with zip ties. I think it is stupid, but that is only because I track my car not drift it.

Again, my point except why is it stupid not wanting to damage expensive body parts. I want to see your car and see how the "aero" actually makes a difference other than asthetics.


You are barking up the wrong tree about track cars vs show cars man. I am a well known track whore here. The only difference is that I do not drift, nor do I have a ton of interest in doing so regularly. If you like it then cool, I just don't (especially with the silver allen bolts.

Well ok then track whore. I drift my car on a track and I autocross my car on a track, both of those are motorsports on a track. So both of those would mean "tracking" it. My interior will be gutted and caged soon so if you want to talk about not being pretty you can look inside of a track car. Its for function dude.


Smashing an overfender is not something I would be worried about and on top of that if you do smash one it is quite likely that you will have larger issues then simply replacing the overfender itself. So it really doesn't make sense to go to the trouble of trying to make it easily replaceable.

Um not necessarily. You should know this if your on a track so much.


Whatever dude you don't like it, fine. I'm contributing my ideas to this forum and you can take your "track knowledge" somewhere else.

[racepar1]

My point exactly. NO glue.

And that is why it looks stupid it is not attached to the fender in between the horrible looking bolts.

What, pop rivets. Also why would you need glue if your using the "correct" rivets.

To keep the fiberglass tight to the car in between the rivets, god you fail at reading!

Again, my point except why is it stupid not wanting to damage expensive body parts. I want to see your car and see how the "aero" actually makes a difference other than asthetics.


Because it looks retarded to have zip ties hanging all over the car. It also does take away from the aerodynamic effectiveness of the bodywork by allowing it to flex. Also it would be annoying to have bumpers/sideskirts randomly fall off for no reason, which I have seen before. I'll be sure to send you pics of my ducting and front undertray set-up next month after I build it so that you can see what aero is supposed to look like.

Well ok then track whore. I drift my car on a track and I autocross my car on a track, both of those are motorsports on a track. So both of those would mean "tracking" it. My interior will be gutted and caged soon so if you want to talk about not being pretty you can look inside of a track car. Its for function dude.

Why the fuck are you insulted by my previous statement here? I did not attack you or your supposed track car at all. You keep referring to "pretty", why is that? If you wanna see my car look at my photo gallery, It is pretty apparent that being pretty is not my primary concern.

Um not necessarily. You should know this if your on a track so much. Whatever dude you don't like it, fine. I'm contributing my ideas to this forum and you can take your "track knowledge" somewhere else.

Again, WTF is wrong with you? I did not attack you or your supposed "track experience" either. You're butthurt because I strongly dislike the way you attached your overfenders and I told you about it. Well boo hoo, get over it! It looks fucking stupid to me. The logic behind doing it like that is stupid as well. I've been off the track/autocross course a few times before and none of them would have theoretically damaged an overfender. Anytime I have seen a car get into an accident that would theoretically damage an overfender the car was damaged badly enough in other ways that replacing the overfender would not be the primary issue.

[bbejj123]

its always better to be safe than sorry...and i have yet to see a rivet come loose unless it was installed incorrectly... but great idea we used some on our fleet electric trucks for the electrical box brackets but never thought of using for widebody =)

[bigtom]

haha....my gandmama gave me that fender....!

But seriously this is how things should be done. I have done this many times. Nutserts, also called rivnuts. The next step is to use a special made rubber panel isolator so the panels dont crack or rub the bolts themselves. Not likely to be useful at an autox. But, on a real track door to door you could need to replace parts.

Real professional race teams do this all the time. The ability to keep the aero happy and keep your sponsors happy in the event of a damaged sticker is important to change quickly. I am happy to see someone thinking outside the standard box and having an idea. If you are interested in the panel/bolt isolaters PM me. They are designed for a larger 5/16 bolt though. The tool for that is about $250 though. Use 5/16 nylock rivnuts.

as for theft, well if you guys think it looks so horrible maybe no one would want to steal it.
In my experience people still just take the whole car.

[hunter8411]

Car looks good however I do think it would probably look better with some black allen screws instead of the chrome ones. Good idea and thanks for the info.

[bigtom]

you can get breakaway bolts as well the help with theft, but why?

[C. Anderson]

Theft of 1/4 panels is not a problem here. And racepar1 it works and my aero doesn't just fall off. I don't drive my car fast enough on courses for aero to be effective. How about keeping stupid comments to yourself because it seems like you start sh!t and have usless posts all over this forum. If you want to take this tread off topic PM me.

[Maximamike]

I like it. It really doesn't look that much different than rivets the head is just a little bit bigger.

[efrain240sx]

+1 for you sir on a good write up, oh and you're car looks sick man, I love those enkei's on it. I'm going to be using these nut inserts on my s30 for my ZG flares

[JVD]

And that is why it looks stupid it is not attached to the fender in between the horrible looking bolts.
Hahaha. Ugly looking bolts?

Pics of your car compared to OP's? The guy used bolts instead of rivets. BIG DEAL. Last time I checked his car is still 100000000x cooler looking than yours.

You always get in pissing matches over the dumbest shit.

[MavericStephenc]

Hahaha. Ugly looking bolts?

Pics of your car compared to OP's? The guy used bolts instead of rivets. BIG DEAL. Last time I checked his car is still 100000000x cooler looking than yours.

You always get in pissing matches over the dumbest shit.

I second that statement. (not saying my s14 looks good by any means)

Bottom line is it's not what everyone else has done. so what if they're chrome?
To the OP: get em' gold plated and keep em' looking

[thefro526]

That's an excellent way of attachment. We use rivets on my robotics team all the time and we've ran into issues when we need a quick replacement on the fly. I know this would be a cool option for some of the stuff we do and it looks like it works great on body panels. Imo, I think with the right bolts it'll look pretty cool. The stainless ones don't look bad at all but you could rock some black ones for a more low profile appearance.

Also another problem that some of you may or may not have experienced is when you use the same hole to much it tends get wider over time or if you don't drill out the old rivet straight then you can ruin the hole and a new rivet will be far too loose to attach.

[C. Anderson]

Thanks everybody so much! Hmmm GOLD BABY!!!!!!! Glad I could help thefro526 and everybody else out. BTW I will be getting the hardware powdercoated black.

[HS13KLS]

god you all are bickering so much. his car looks gooood. the idea is awesome. would i do it to my car?(well now that i have seen it done, yea i actually want to). do you honestly think anyone is just going to walk down the streen and try and steal someone quarter? probably not. i like how it looks.

off topic. whats your wheel sizes?

[Deftec]

I'm not too fond of the riveted look, and that reminds me of it. But I do like the fact that it'd be just as simple to remove, and slightly faster, than rivets would be. Would also be good for the sideskirts.

One thing I've wondered about using are similar, but they use a flatscrewdriver/etc for the more prostreet/professional drag cars. Take off like 5 of these, whole panels/hoods/etc come off.

[chetacheese]

i was looking into this stuff. does anyone know if there is an alternative to this that looks more moderate?

[Maximamike]

One thing I've wondered about using are similar, but they use a flatscrewdriver/etc for the more prostreet/professional drag cars. Take off like 5 of these, whole panels/hoods/etc come off.

Dzus quarter turns.

Dzus Fasteners (http://www.stockcarproducts.com/acc20.htm)

[chibo]

Really cool idea and doesn't look bad at all. :)

[C. Anderson]

Here are the wheel sizes. http://zilvia.net/f/chat/129865-wheel-fitment-whore-thread-71.html#post2301164