Blind bolt options?

[dodge man]

I will try and describe my problem as best I can. My 2004 Ram had a grab handle mounted to the A pillar. It plastic and I ripped it off hauling my butt up in the truck. I put a washer behind it which lasted about a week. There is a company called Geno's garage that sell metal inserts that go behind the grab handle and will make it very strong, so the grab handle problem will be fixed.

My problem is there are two bolts that hold the grab handle up. There are inserts in the A-pillar that the bolts thread into. One of the inserts just spun and wouldn't let me unthread the bolt. I tried everything to get the bolt out but finally just cut if off and let it fall down in the A pillar.

So how do I get the second bolt in? There is a company called Rivnut that looks like they sell what I need, it looks almost like what the factory used. Problem is they only sell English sized stuff, the original was metric. I'm also unsure of size. I also kind of tore up the hole where the insert goes in trying to get the old one out, but its still mostly intact. I'm afraid the new insert if not the correct size will just spin in the hole also. I don't own a welder but if there was an easy fix using a welder I could have someone do it for me. I'm not sure I want to and welding in this area any way.

Looking for ideas?

 

[tjkubota93]

Junkyard?

 

[dodge man]

I would still have to get the insert out of the old truck and into mine. I think when they are installed its a one time thing, they don't come out.

 

[mikehaugen]

How big is the hole?

 

[tjkubota93]

Maybe take a picture of it to dealership and if parts dept says no talk to a tech.

 

[JJZ 109]

Any chance of some type of toggle bolt?

 

[Soundguy]

kinda redneck.. but um.. what about a toggle?

 

[Soundguy]

i see jjz types faster than I do..

 

[mikehaugen]

If there is enough depth in the pillar, maybe you could try to use one of those spring loaded drywall anchors with the "wings." You need to make a pretty good sized hole though, and you'd be stuck with the standard sizes still.

Check out mcmaster carr, I'm sure they have something that would work. There are all types of threaded inserts out there, they have to have something for sheet metal.

Another option, if the base for the handle is big enough to cover the old hole, just move it up or down 1/2" or so and make new holes.

 

[mikehaugen]

kinda redneck.. but um.. what about a toggle?

Maybe that is what I was referring to? Sorry you posted while I was typing.

 

[Soundguy]

Maybe that is what I was referring to? Sorry you posted while I was typing.

noprob. jjz posted the same while i was typing.

so all 3 of us came up with the same idea within minutes.

 

[dodge man]

I'm a member of a Cummins forum and someone posted the idea of the toggle bolt. I'm not sure why, but I didn't like the idea but its gaining some momentum with me. Mainly because its a cheap fix. I can't put a hole anywhere else in the pillar, the holes in the plastic handle don't really allow it to be move up or down any. The hole is about 1/2" in diameter. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[Soundguy]

1/2" hole should accomodate a toggle .

the only other idea i had was to take a pipe plug and screw it into the hole. ( drill and tap the plug for correct threads first )

pipe plugs drill and tap VERY easilly. tap it for the oem fastener, grind it flat. use a seperate fastener and a spare nut to thread intot he plug and lock against it so then you can screw that into the hole., then double wrench the lock nut loose and remove the nut/bolt combo leaving you the pluged hole with no threads in the middle.

i till think a toggle may be easier..

 

[HHR]

It appears that this may not help in your situation, but I had the same problem on an 04 1/2 ton. The insert just spun and spun. I pried the sides of the insert flange and put a vice grip on to hold the insert while loosening the bolt. I then slathered the area around the insert with JB Weld and let it set up before installing the new grab handles.

 

[dodge man]

It appears that this may not help in your situation, but I had the same problem on an 04 1/2 ton. The insert just spun and spun. I pried the sides of the insert flange and put a vice grip on to hold the insert while loosening the bolt. I then slathered the area around the insert with JB Weld and let it set up before installing the new grab handles.

Looking back, that might have worked.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would try a toggle also or wedding in a stud and going to a nut on the handle end.

Chris

 

[terryknight]

well nuts. this is the first image that came up when i googled it. they come in all different sizes

Metric Well Nuts

 

[JPRambo]

Try a search for thread-serts.
somewhat of a pop rivet that puts threads into holes.

 

[JJZ 109]

noprob. jjz posted the same while i was typing.

so all 3 of us came up with the same idea within minutes.

Pure genius, I tell ya! We can't all be wrong can we? :thumbsup:

 

[SSdoxie]

Pure genius, I tell ya! We can't all be wrong can we? :thumbsup:

You sure about that?? My Mama always told me 3 wrongs to make it right. :cool2: