Series 3 Heater box removal and spinning nuts

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FRAJ

Member
Posts
42
Location
UK
Easy job I thought - remove the heater box and blower. The 2 main bolts into the bulkhead are just spinning the nuts on the inside; I assume they are press fitted from new, because they can't be accessed from behind the dash. Do I need to grind them off or has anyone got a clever tip to remove them? (I don't have an angle grinder at the moment...). Ta..
 

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Easy job I thought - remove the heater box and blower. The 2 main bolts into the bulkhead are just spinning the nuts on the inside; I assume they are press fitted from new, because they can't be accessed from behind the dash. Do I need to grind them off or has anyone got a clever tip to remove them? (I don't have an angle grinder at the moment...). Ta..
The bolts go into little expanding fittings known as Rivnuts.
I usually use brute force, get a pair of grips on the bolt heads, and lever them out, using a block of wood on the plate they are inserted into to spread the load.
Rivnuts come in different metals, the ones in that area should be just a soft alloy.
 
Like a big pop rivet , can you get to the other side with some mole grips
If your lucky some super glue might help to bond rivnut to bulkhead then loosen bolt
If you do get it out you can either drill out and replace or poss tighten up with bolt nut and spacer
Having the special rivnut tool helps but you can google a diy version
 
Sometimes if you can pull hard while turning - by getting a screwdriver under the head, it may (just may) stop the nut turning. If it won't pull out its drilling all the way....
 
Thanks for the replies - they appear loose, ie not clamping the parts, but I still can't get them to screw out. I will increase the brute force until something gives...
 
Thanks for the replies - they appear loose, ie not clamping the parts, but I still can't get them to screw out. I will increase the brute force until something gives...
Rivnuts don't screw out they work by magic, had the same problem but got the bolts out by getting a heavy screwdriver hammered in behind the bracket to put some leverage on it and then try easing the bolt out.
 
If all else fails put a mole grip on the bolt so it cannot spin then drill a hole down its centre till it falls off.
 
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