What type of fasteners to keep steel panels attached, but removeable?

belfert · September 29, 2024, 10:49:14 AM

My Dina has a "tunnel" of sorts to direct cooling air through the charge air cooler and the radiator. The problem is that tunnel is on the driver's side of the engine compartment and blocks access to that side of the engine. It also blocks access to the oil filters. My understanding is the factory riveted the panels in place. It is apparently common on Dinas to drill out the rivets so the panels can come out to do work on the engine and to access the oil filters.

My Dina had screws holding the panels in place when I got it. I take the panels out one or twice a year to do work on that side of the engine. I have to keep increasing the size of the screws because the holes get bigger and bigger. I am up to #12 or #14 screws and need to go a size bigger again. Is there is a fastener I could use that isn't a screw? If I could weld I might weld nuts on the back side, but I can't weld so that is out.

Van · September 29, 2024, 11:04:31 AM

100pcs Carbon Steel SAE Rivet Nuts 1/4-20 Threaded Rivet Insert Nutsert Rivnuts Kit https://a.co/d/aSK1QgA

belfert · September 29, 2024, 11:11:53 AM

That seems like exactly what I need. Don't you also need a installation tool in additional to the rivnuts?

Van · September 29, 2024, 01:53:25 PM

There are ways to install those in a pinch but the tools are available locally and the big box stores Home depot, Ace hardware, Harbour freight come to mind. And lastly Amazon. You can find many uses for this tool with different thead sizes available for future prodjects😉

luvrbus · September 30, 2024, 06:40:19 AM

My Country Coach used a lot of the 2 pc spring loaded 1/4 turn aircraft camlock on panels that were removed often they were neat but looked a little pricy to me if you had to buy some ,you are right attaching with sheet metal screws the holes get larger and larger and the self tapping style are the worse about doing it ,I don't use the self tapping to join sheet metal together I will drill the holes

Dave5Cs · September 30, 2024, 07:03:02 AM

Dzus fasteners

?

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Release-Button-Springs-Dimpled/dp/B07RF1PQX8/ref=sr_1_3?

OR
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WQTGJQ1/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?

belfert · September 30, 2024, 07:16:34 AM

The Dzus fasteners look to be significantly more complex to install. I already ordered the rivnut tool yesterday. I don't take the panels apart often enough that I can't remove a half dozen bolts with a power screwdriver.

luvrbus · September 30, 2024, 08:05:49 AM

Quote from: belfert on September 30, 2024, 07:16:34 AM
The Dzus fasteners look to be significantly more complex to install. I already ordered the rivnut tool yesterday. I don't take the panels apart often enough that I can't remove a half dozen bolts with a power screwdriver.

That system is the standard on buses for panels they work good till the latch wire breaks ,they are simple to install,pay attention t so the hole size when using the rivet nut system it needs to be tight because when they spin and you have no access to the nut they can be a bitch to get the nut out to replace it .I used the rivet nut system on Toms engine doors on his MCI and it works good after I found out the little details I missed with 2 or 3 tries with the nut spinning ,my biggest problem was the cheap kit I bought off Amazon the puller wasn't strong enough to set the nuts in 3/16th steel, it was just a modified pop riviet puller with screw in bolt sizes