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

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 BMW 535i, 2009 BMW 535i, and 2008 BMW 535i. 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 With Larger Drill Bit/Countersink
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IMPORTANT: Avoid paintwork damage
Knock rivet head away with a chisel

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

Fig 3: Identifying Cavity
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Clean component, eliminate paintwork damage if necessary

Fig 4: Identifying Clean Component
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If the rivet shank can be removed:

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

Fig 5: Preserving Cavity
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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/contaminants 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 Rivet Nut With Hand Rivet Gun
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Hexagon/straight shank rivet nut (up to thread M12) with hand rivet gun MB512

IMPORTANT: Follow manufacturer's operating instructions.
Make sure rivet nut correctly contacts component.

NOTE: According to the manufacturer, the pictured tool is suitable up to an M12 thread.

Fig 8: Installing Rivet Nut With Hand Rivet Gun

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.