4100... Repair solution for straight shank/hexagon rivet nut

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2011 BMW 328i, 2011 BMW 323i, 2010 BMW 335i, 2010 BMW 328i, and 2010 BMW 323i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Protection measures!

Wear safety goggles
Wear protective gloves

IMPORTANT: To prevent the material from tapering, do not drill out the rivet head.

Carefully spot-drill rivet head with a larger drill bit/countersink

Fig 1: Drilling Rivet Head Using Larger Drill Bit/Countersink
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Avoid paintwork damage
Knock rivet head away with a chisel

Fig 2: Knocking Rivet Head Using Chisel
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Drive through rivet shank into cavity, remove if necessary

Fig 3: Identifying Rivet Shank
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Clean component, eliminate paintwork damage if necessary

Fig 4: Identifying Cavity
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If the rivet shank can be removed:

IMPORTANT: To avoid corrosion, stop chips/swarf by means of cavity sealing.
Follow INSTRUCTIONS ON CORROSION PROTECTION .
Preserving cavity

Fig 5: Preserving Cavity
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

If the rivet shank cannot be removed:

WARNING: Risk of injury!
Observe NOTES ON CAVITY FOAM .

IMPORTANT: To avoid corrosion and rattling noises, stop chips/swarf and rivet nut shank with cavity foam.
Remove foam remnants with isohexane (benzine).

Fig 6: Preserving Cavity
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

5. Stop rivet shank by means of specific foaming
6. Set rivet nut with hand rivet gun
NOTE: Fit rivet nut as quickly as possibly, ideally before the cavity foam hardens.

Hexagon/straight shank rivet nut (up to thread M8) with hand rivet gun ZS308

IMPORTANT: Follow manufacturer's operating instructions.
Make sure rivet nut correctly contacts component.

NOTE: According to the manufacturer, the pictured tool is suitable up to an M8 thread.

Fig 7: Setting Rivet Nut With Hand Rivet Gun

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Hexagon/straight shank rivet nut (up to thread M12) with hand rivet gun MB512

IMPORTANT: Follow manufacturer's operating instructions.
Make sure rivet nut correctly contacts component.

Fig 8: Setting Rivet Nut With Hand Rivet Gun

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: According to the manufacturer, the pictured tool is suitable up to an M12 thread.