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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 BMW 550i and 2008 BMW 550i. 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
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IMPORTANT: Avoid paintwork damage
Knock rivet head away with a chisel

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

Fig 3: Rivet Shank In Cavity
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Clean component, eliminate paintwork damage if necessary
If the rivet shank can be removed:

IMPORTANT: To avoid corrosion, stop chips/swarf by means of cavity sealing.
Follow instructions on corrosion protection .
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 (cleaning-grade petroleum spirit).

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 4: 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 5: Identifying Rivet Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.