D-Nut Installation

[Conaway2]

Does anyone know an easy way to blind-install D-nuts ?

I've looked at some rivnut installation tools and think one might work. I want to install these in a trunk lid for hinges to convert to a rumble seat.

thanks,
Jim

 

[rotorwrench]

The rivnuts are made to be pulled up with the appropriate puller but they are softer metal and have a zone that is made to collapse on itself. The old Ford D-nuts just have the edge that is formed for swaging. Ford installed them on panels before the body was assembled so they didn't do blind installs.

I would prep them for brazing and basically solder them if they are in a blind situation. If a person had access to the backside it may be possible to swage them in some way but it has to be in the hole to do that.

 

[Phil Brown]

A 1"steel ball and a "c" clamp work well to install if you have access to both sides otherwise I just weld them in