Alfa Pages

bobbber · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:07 pm Post subject: Wing replacement

Hi all,

I'm replacing the front wings on the 33. The bolt which secures the headlight to the wing (behind the indicator) is truely seized - so I'm going to take the wing out with the headlamp in one peice Surprised

The new wings are not supplied with the retaining nut on them (they have the hole for the bolt - but no thread). No doubt the old thread will be mangled by the time I've finished with it.

What is a good thing to use here? I could weld a thread onto the inside of the wing... but is that a good idea? Perhaps there are some generic thingies I can use instead?

Thanks!
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

Edward · Alfa 33 Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 307 Location: Bristol

Bob,

There is a thingy, the trouble is that I don't know what they call them, they are like a threaded insert. You can push them through a hole, normally drilled and then by winding in a bolt it grips in the hole. Its a bit like a plasterboard rawlplug - for cars. I have only seen them once but they look like one of those items that are not too difficult to find. A decent bodywork shop should help. I think I saw 8 and 10mm ones a car I had. The person had used them to bolt in the door handles from a series 3 interior into a series 2 car. In the series 2 car there not the same holes as a series 3 so the person had added the threaded holes as described above. Assuming you can find these they should work just fine at the location you mention, so that you can bolt the indicator back in.

Hope that helps a bit.

E.
_________________
The faster the better.

Edward · Alfa 33 Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 307 Location: Bristol

Bob,

Try this:

http://www.tappex.co.uk/tappex_products.htm

It's not exactly what I was talking about but they are close. Type in threaded insert into google and with a bit of browsing you should soon find something suitable.

E.
_________________
The faster the better.

Guest · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:34 am Post subject:

Edward · Alfa 33 Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 307 Location: Bristol

Rob,

Yes, that's exactly right - thanks for finding that on the web - this can be such a good forum sometimes. Now all it takes is for Bob to read the answers to his questions so that he can benefit from all the research.

I must add that those Rivnuts are pretty good and would be worth keeping a few in a tool box - if only. When I first saw them I remember thinking that someone has really thought about a problem and invented something really useful here.

Good....

E.
_________________
The faster the better.

Edward · Alfa 33 Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 307 Location: Bristol

Rob,

Yes, that's exactly right - thanks for finding that on the web - this can be such a good forum sometimes. Now all it takes is for Bob to read the answers to his questions so that he can benefit from all the research.

I must add that those Rivnuts are pretty good and would be worth keeping a few in a tool box - if only. When I first saw them I remember thinking that someone has really thought about a problem and invented something really useful here.

Good....

E.
_________________
The faster the better.

bobbber · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:21 am Post subject:

Yes - thanks for the help guys! And I'm reading the replies! Very Happy

I've seen one of these things on the bracket which holds the front grille on.

Thanks again,

Bob
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

bobbber · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:27 am Post subject:

WOW guys! These things are fantastic!!!!!!!

What a great way of attaching stuff to the bodywork!

Example of how it works :

http://www.zygology.com/products/how_work.asp?working_diagram_link=http://www.avdel.textron.com/products/images/9658.swf&submit=Search

Thanks again!

Bob
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

Edward · Alfa 33 Joined: 21 Sep 2003 Posts: 307 Location: Bristol

Bob,

I like the page you found with the demonstation video. Did you read anywhere about an application process that doesn't include that rather specialised drill attachment. Can you do it manually by just somehow winding in a bolt to squash it all up??

Edward.
_________________
The faster the better.

johnboy · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:06 pm Post subject:

Hi Chaps

these bolts things im sure the chaps use at work.will ask tomorrow.
if they are the ones.i will do some shopping Wink

they have loads of sizes.

regards john
_________________
WODA WE NEED? MORE POWER!!

Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
1997 seadoo gsx 800
1999 freestyle superjet

bobbber · Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 10:17 am Post subject:

Yes, I'm not very keen on getting a £99 air tool for this either!

I have seen a couple of standard rivet guns which you can put a rivnut attachment onto and also a home made thread system thingy someone was selling on eBay. I'll dig these links out when I get a mo.

Edit : Ah - here it is : http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-10-HAND-NUT-RIVETER-RIVNUTS-M3-M4-M5-M6-RIVETS_W0QQitemZ220024880815QQihZ012QQcategoryZ30917QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's a laser product - so it will probably work for at least three rivnuts before it snaps! Laughing

Bob
_________________
Fiat Bravo 165 Sport

johnboy · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:26 pm Post subject:

Hi Bob

yes we do use these things at work.spoke to the chaps and they said you could use a rachet.but you would have to hold on to the fixing till it bitin.we have lots of sizes.i think you could use an air rachet gun on them aswell,as its speed that makes them bite into the panel.let me know if you want any and i'lldo some shopping Wink

p.s i now have three alfas.more work as this ones had a front end smack. Confused

regards john
_________________
WODA WE NEED? MORE POWER!!

Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
1997 seadoo gsx 800
1999 freestyle superjet

Guest · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:12 am Post subject: