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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW 550i GT, 2012 BMW 550i GT, 2011 BMW 550i GT, and 2010 BMW 550i GT. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Protection measures!

Wear safety 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 Using Larger Drill Bit
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Fig 2: Knocking Rivet Head Using Chisel
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Drive through rivet shank into cavity, remove if necessary

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

Fig 4: Identifying Cavity
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If the rivet shank can be removed:

IMPORTANT: To avoid corrosion, stop chips/swarf by means of cavity sealing.
Follow INSTRUCTIONS ON CORROSION PROTECTION.

Fig 5: Preserving Cavity
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Preserving cavity
If the rivet shank cannot be removed:

WARNING: Risk of injury!
Observe NOTES ON CAVITY FOAM.

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

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

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