sidesill mod [******]

[snampro]

My car apparently has the sidesill mod (done before I bought it) with machine screws and rivet nuts. I'm trying to remove the sill because the roe exhaust system on the left side is angled up, different from the right side, and is burning the sidesill. Anyhow, one of the screws (one under the door where that raised black plastic thing is) will not come out because the riveted nut just turns in the frame when the screw is turned...any ideas? after looking over this mod its pretty obvious that this sort of thing could easily happen...I can't for the life of me see how this was a good idea.

 

[Cop Magnet]

When in doubt, drill it out.

 

[snampro]

this is ridiculous. I just found two more that are simply turning in place. I had thought about drilling it out but that won't work, these are pretty rugged metal screws and not rivets, the rivet is the nut part that is in the frame and underneath the sidesill. the only thing I can think to do it grind the screw, but that won't work on the ones in the door jam because the black plastic piece in the way. I can't even get a dremel cutoff wheel in there to work on the screw. there's no way I could drill because the screw just spins with the drill!!!


let this be a warning to others, do not do this mod. this would never happen with sheet metal screws, never. it might be a good idea to add threads like this to the illustrated upgrades section to show guys why these mods are a bad idea...

 

[big-n-italian]

is there any way to pull up on the screw as you are unscrewing it by hand with a small screw driver or wire cutters? this could force the nut to stay in place long enough to get it out.

 

[KenH]

That can be a concern with the mod if the installer isn't careful or doesn't use the type of rivet nuts that grip the sheetmetal. I have had my sills off several times since the mod without any problems. Sheetmetal screws aren't perfect either as some of my original ones were stripped and wouldn't come out and I had to pry something between the side sill and the screw head to finally get them out.

As for what to do, you might try the trick of wedging a thin piece of metal with a notch in it between the screw head and rivet nut while you try to unscrew it as mentioned above. You might also try gripping the screw head with a pair of needlenose vise grips, end nippers or forceps to hold the screw head still while you drill it out.

Good Luck!

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Buying a couple of rear tire from the screws falling out might change your mind to "Hey that was a good idea"

 

[AJT]

How about cutting a V in a metal or plastic putty knife & slip it under the rivet then try turning the screw with pressure on it?

 

[snampro]

guys, thanks for your help. I had a total of 3 stuck screws on the driver side sill. the first I was able to remove by applying significant pressure downward while turning. the second was at the front on the bottom and I cut it off with a dremel after jacking the car up a few inches. the third was a pain in the rear and took a combination of drilling, cutting with a small dremel wheel and prying.

I was right that they were turning in place. I think I will replace these with machine screws but use safety wire to prevent tire problems. I think the best way to do this mount the sidesill would be to tack weld a nut onto the frame, I may look into that...

I was so angry about this last night that I had to put the sill back on and take it for a ride!!! that always makes things better.

 

[SNKEBIT]

Obviously they were installed wrong!!!!! I've put hundreds of those nuts in cars and NEVER had one come loose. Redo the job the RIGHT way.

 

[klamathpro]

I was considering doing that mod myself and then had second thoughts when I thought about the possibility of them spinning. Perhaps the rivet gun used was not compressing hard enough. Like everyone said, drill it out carefully. If you go back to sheet-metal screws, just be sure to use locktight like I did and they should stay on.

 

[snampro]

Obviously they were installed wrong!!!!! I've put hundreds of those nuts in cars and NEVER had one come loose. Redo the job the RIGHT way.

that very well may be, since I didn't do it I'm just left with the consequences...

 

[KenH]

If you redo the rivit nuts, I'd recommend going with ones that have a knurled shaft which bite into the sheetmetal and should prevent them from spinning.

 

[red98RT10]

does anyone have photos of this mod? I can't picture what happened without seeing the mod.

 

[snampro]

Ken: that's exactly what the rivot nuts that were on my car look like.

red98: check the illustrated upgrades section

 

[KenH]

That's surprising! The other likely thing to have happen is for the holes to be too big or sloppy when they are drilled, resulting in a less than snug fit when the nut is riveted in place. Any chance that they used aluminum rivet nuts instead of steel? On mine, I tested each rivet nut before I put the side sill back on because I had the same concern about them spinning (knock on wood).

What do you plan to do now? Redrill for larger rivet nuts or try to find some large sheetmetal screws?

 

[snampro]

I'm not sure. I still have 6 locations that are still fine so I'm driving the car like that now. when work slows down I'll fix it up

 

[GT40DOC]

I agree with SNAKEBIT, I have used hundreds of rivnuts. If the hole is too large, or the rivnut was not compressed enough, you will have this problem. There are many types of rivnuts to chose. You may want to apply and ahesive to the base of the rivnut just before you compress it for a little added security.