What are these little threaded inserts behind light?

[Mixter]

They look to be brass, which I thought was a no-no because of the metal reactivity... they look to be in great shape though. I want more so I can put them in the rest of my light holes because as you can see the holes on the right side are out of shape and enlarged.

Any ideas on what these are called and the appropriate size to get?

Thanks!
Micky

[Becky B.]

rivnuts. You put them in with a tool kind of like a rivet gun. They're threaded so you can use a screw in the hole for attaching things. I used a few in my trailer---kinda handy!

[Mixter]

Yeah- I thought they might be, but they appear to be press fit. They are split on the back so they open up when the screw goes in. Cant find anything like it anywhere... but I did find this rivnut set from harbor freight... 45 Piece Threaded Insert Riveter Kit

Looks like it has good reviews... and aluminum rivnuts.. wonder if it will suit my needs for my running lights?

Wish I could find the brass ones- they look nice.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Mixter

Yeah- I thought they might be, but they appear to be press fit. They are split on the back so they open up when the screw goes in. Cant find anything like it anywhere... but I did find this rivnut set from harbor freight... 45 Piece Threaded Insert Riveter Kit

Looks like it has good reviews... and aluminum rivnuts.. wonder if it will suit my needs for my running lights?

Wish I could find the brass ones- they look nice.

I only buy stuff I don't use from HF.....

You get what you pay for.
Your 'brass' may actually be zinc.

Stick with quality, it's usually better in the end.

Bob

[Belegedhel]

Rivnuts usually look like a compressed cylinder. What you are describing sounds like a "jack-nut," which woks much the same way, and could probably be inserted with the same tool.

Anyway, I agree that HF sells cheapie tools, but the rivnut tool I bought from them served its purpose for me. The question I have is why go to the fuss of putting a threaded insert of any kind in place to mount a clearance light? Why not just use a larger screw?

[TG Twinkie]

Rivnuts are available at Fastenal. Be sure to buy a quality tool for installation. I would bet SnapOn or Mac will carry the tool needed.

[idroba]

Riv nuts, nut certs, they have several names. The HF ones are not of real high quality but they are aluminum and that is good. They are fine for very light loads like your clearance lights. Heavier loads need a better quality. The hole they fit into is critical. Have exactly the right drill size or you will wind up with a large hole and a spinning Riv nut.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Belegedhel

Rivnuts usually look like a compressed cylinder. What you are describing sounds like a "jack-nut," which woks much the same way, and could probably be inserted with the same tool.

Anyway, I agree that HF sells cheapie tools, but the rivnut tool I bought from them served its purpose for me. The question I have is why go to the fuss of putting a threaded insert of any kind in place to mount a clearance light? Why not just use a larger screw?

That might work once or twice but eventually you will end up with a larger and larger hole, then screw size will exceed what will fit through the light. Then you have the option of moving the light slightly and drilling yet another set of holes. I like the idea of using Rivnuts and will probably add that upgrade to mine when the time comes.

Aaron