41 00... Repair solution for straight shank/hexagon rivet nut

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 128i, 2012 BMW 128i, 2011 BMW 128i, 2010 BMW 128i, and 2009 BMW 128i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Protection measures!

Wear protective goggles
Wear protective gloves

IMPORTANT: To prevent the material from tapering, do not drill out the rivet head.

Carefully spot-drill rivet head with a larger drill bit/countersink

Fig 1: Drilling Rivet Head
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Avoid paintwork damage
Knock rivet head away with a chisel

Fig 2: Knocking Rivet Head
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Drive through rivet shank into cavity, remove if necessary

Fig 3: Driving Through Rivet Shank Into Cavity
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Clean component, eliminate paintwork damage if necessary

Fig 4: Cleaning Eliminate Paintwork
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If the rivet shank can be removed:

IMPORTANT: To avoid corrosion, stop chips/swarf by means of cavity sealing.
Refer to CORROSION PROTECTION .
Preserving cavity

Fig 5: Preserving Cavity
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If the rivet shank cannot be removed:

WARNING: Risk of injury!
Observe WORKING WITH 2-COMPONENT PU CAVITY FOAM .

IMPORTANT: To avoid corrosion and rattling noises, stop chips/swarf and rivet nut shank with cavity foam.
Remove foam remnants with isohexane (cleaning-grade petroleum spirit).

Fig 6: Preserving Cavity
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

5. Stop rivet shank by means of specific foaming
NOTE: Fit rivet nut as quickly as possibly, ideally before the cavity foam hardens.

Hexagon rivet nut (up to M8 thread), straight shank rivet nut:

IMPORTANT: Follow manufacturer's operating instructions.
Make sure rivet nut correctly contacts component.
6. Set rivet nut with hand rivet gun
NOTE: According to the manufacturer, the pictured tool is suitable up to an M8 thread.

Fig 7: Setting Straight Shank Rivet Nut With Hand Rivet Gun
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Hexagon rivet nut (from M10 thread):

IMPORTANT: Ensure correct screw length. The complete thread length of the rivet nut must be used for installation.
Make sure hexagon rivet nut correctly contacts component.
Replace screw after use.
6. Insert screw (tensile strength min. 10.9) with body washer into hexagon rivet nut
7. Insert hexagon rivet nut into pre-punched hexagon hole and install by turning screw
Notes on installation:

Rivet nut is upset (screw very difficult to move).

Rivet nut is contracted (screw comparatively easy to move).

Rivet nut is pressed onto the component (screw slowly becomes difficult to move). Procedure is finished with the fitting of the relevant component and its tightening torque.

Fig 8: Inserting Hexagon Rivet Nut
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.