rivnuts vs screw thread coils inserts

[FJSpringy]

I have read with great interest some recent comments and posts regarding Rivnuts, now I have always been a hellicoil / Recoil guy and recently used one to fix a thread in the frame of my 92 as I had the kit anyway.

From what I see Rivnuts look pretty good and I may tool up if I find the need in the future as it looks like you only need the one applicator and no need to tap but I am interested in the fact that nobody suggested using thread inserts as a way of repairing a stripped thread.

Are thread inserts a thing of the past ?

[JCainFJ]

The frame area that needs to be repaired ( I think we are talking about the shift lever repair) is not thick enough for a Hellicoil / Recoil. A rivnut is for use in thin wall materials like tubes and sheet metal.

[Flynt]

Are thread inserts a thing of the past ?

Not at all.  For this particular application, we are trying to replace a broken off nut that was the actual female for the shifter pivot bolt.  It was originally welded to the frame on the inside of a flat 3/16" plate of steel.  Once the nut was snapped off, there was only thin plate to thread if you went the helicoil route.  Rivnut replaces the nut and substitutes an interference fit to hold it.

If you strip out a water pump bolt in an Al block, you're looking for the helicoil...  thst's where they are the right solution and a rivnut wouldn't work at all.

Frank

[Steve_in_Florida]

This is a case of using the right tool for the job at hand.

The earlier frames were solid steel with the threads cut into the frame itself. A helicoil would be appropriate in that instance. The later frames are HOLLOW, with the nut being welded inside.

FJMonkey supplied me with a handful of Riv-Nuts, that look like this:

After you "ïnstall" it, the Riv-Nut looks like this:

Clear as mud?

Steve

[biggo]

Another great solution if you hace a badly damaged thread and a heli-coil is not going to work are "time sert" inserts. I have used this for many years on cars and trucks with great success  

http://www.timesert.com/

Not for use where a rivnut would be used though

Phil

[FJSpringy]

Thanks for all the reply's much appreciated.