Stabilizer Bracket Repair

[jopizz]

The nut that holds one of my stabilizer brackets has come out of the cross member. Looks like it was somehow pressed in. Does anyone have an easy fix. Maybe some sort of toggle bolt or molly bolt. It's totally closed in so I need something that will expand once inside to hold the bolt.

John

[dgs]

Look at Rivet Nuts. They pass through a hole and as the bolt is tightened, the back side expands to lock it in place. You may need a special tool to install them. You will also likely have to drill the hole oversize.

Those links goes to McMaster-Carr, but other places sell them. I've also seen & used a much more basic installation tool that was actuated by a wrench. It was only good for a few uses, but was very inexpensive.

[jopizz]

Thanks for the tip on the rivet nuts. Sounds like the way to go. I'll check around locally and see if I can find them.

[dgs]

This is the simple tool I was talking about:



It's basically a special nut that holds the rivet-nut from turning and a bolt that tightens and draws the rivet-nut tight.

[jopizz]

I just have to see how wide the nuts come. The nut that was in there is about 3/4 in wide.