Rawlnuts aka well nuts For roof rack holes

[HAAANK]

I was at the local hardware store yesterday looking for hardware for a non land cruiser project and came across Rawlnuts. I immediately saw their potential for sealing the holes left over from removing the oem roof rack. Anyone tried these?

Well nut - Wikipedia

 

[Enders]

You’d need access to both sides of the hole for that, right? At that point, lots of options open up.

 

[Rifleman]

You’d need access to both sides of the hole for that, right? At that point, lots of options open up.

No, you do not need access to both sides to install these, they install kind of like a nutcert.
Here is a video of them being used to install an item on a kayak so the holes are water tight.
How to Install Well Nuts - Bing video

 

[YMT]

I don't see why you couldn't use them. They seal well. I've used them on light duty projects.

 

[jfz80]

Been in place since ~2006. No problems.

 

[HAAANK]

Been in place since ~2006. No problems.

And here we are! Glad to hear they are working well over time.

 

[jfz80]

They have seemed to hold up well over time. I had one split and was replaced but i think i tightened so much it tore or started the tear.

The stainless hardware still looks new. I added the washer combo to help with chamferred head. Small washer allows head to sink almost flush and big washer spread the load out over the nut head. Plus it keeps the sun off to a degree.

 

[Golgo13]

@jfz80
Where did you get yours?
I think Toyota has some sealing fasteners, but need access to both sides from what I have seen. I like this much better.

 

[jfz80]

Im pretty certain these came from home depot in the specialty fastners drawer. Lowes doesnt carry them but depot didnt have stainless hardware to match so in typical project fashion there were multiple trips to each

@jfz80
Where did you get yours?
I think Toyota has some sealing fasteners, but need access to both sides from what I have seen. I like this much better.

 

[operatorTRP]

what size for a factory roof rack removal???

 

[Cruzerman]

Those do look like good solution short of welding them shut. I think I'm going to give them a try.

On a different note, I went to your Wikipedia link. Was I the only one who noticed the link to the "sex bolt"? Now to find a use for those...

 

[operatorTRP]

I saw the "sex bolt",,, Looked like just another effing bolt to me!?!

 

[jfz80]

That i dont recall for certain was a buy a few and try affair. May be some info in my ROTW link in sig but kinda dont think so. I drilled out the oe metal nutsert and took the drill or the plug one to match up.

I have several sizes and mfg’s in the cabinet but its likely 10/24. the hillman brand are listed as epdm and look nicer and thicker than the Crown Bolt inc. ones. They are also shorter which comes into play with the sunroof. I *think* i used the hillman #137174 (might be a depot #) but not sure.

The other i have is 8/32 but it looks to be too small. Remember to size your bolt to be just long enough to grab the first thread or two. It will pull the rest up but too long and you have sunroof issues.

 

[operatorTRP]

That i dont recall for certain was a buy a few and try affair. May be some info in my ROTW link in sig but kinda dont think so. I drilled out the oe metal nutsert and took the drill or the plug one to match up.

I have several sizes and mfg’s in the cabinet but its likely 10/24. the hillman brand are listed as epdm and look nicer and thicker than the Crown Bolt inc. ones. They are also shorter which comes into play with the sunroof. I *think* i used the hillman #137174 (might be a depot #) but not sure.

The other i have is 8/32 but it looks to be too small. Remember to size your bolt to be just long enough to grab the first thread or two. It will pull the rest up but too long and you have sunroof issues.
View attachment 1735278

Thanks!!!

 

[Kaninja]

what size for a factory roof rack

They are M5-0.8

 

[HAAANK]

Those do look like good solution short of welding them shut. I think I'm going to give them a try.

On a different note, I went to your Wikipedia link. Was I the only one who noticed the link to the "sex bolt"? Now to find a use for those...

Lol yeah I caught that too

 

[inkpot]

They are M5-0.8

Why not just use a SS M5 - 0.8 bolt and washer with a slightly oversized rubber washer underneath? Why drill out the original weldnut?

 

[MoJ]

Why not just use a SS M5 - 0.8 bolt and washer with a slightly oversized rubber washer underneath? Why drill out the original weldnut?

Because the original often breaks free or becomes corroded, rendering it useless.

 

[toadshade]

That i dont recall for certain was a buy a few and try affair. May be some info in my ROTW link in sig but kinda dont think so. I drilled out the oe metal nutsert and took the drill or the plug one to match up.

I have several sizes and mfg’s in the cabinet but its likely 10/24. the hillman brand are listed as epdm and look nicer and thicker than the Crown Bolt inc. ones. They are also shorter which comes into play with the sunroof. I *think* i used the hillman #137174 (might be a depot #) but not sure.

The other i have is 8/32 but it looks to be too small. Remember to size your bolt to be just long enough to grab the first thread or two. It will pull the rest up but too long and you have sunroof issues.
View attachment 1735278

So the shorter one does miss the sunroof? Or is it a problem to remove and replace if it is the wrong size? I welded some of these shut on a friends truck and a little weld rod stuck in too far and kept the sunroof from closing once opened. Easy fix without the liner out but I don’t want to run into that problem with my new truck. I plan on keeping the liner in on this one. I got really lucky I guess with my first truck when i silicon bronze welded my holes shut without removing the liner. I have since learned I almost burned my truck to a crisp. I am bolting these new ones but want to use the right size for the sunroof. Also, if I drill out the nuts from the outside, is there a chance they could get into the sunroof mechanism or just rattle around in there or do they just quietly go away??

 

[HAAANK]

I ended up using rawlnuts on the front most holes of the vehicle which has limited the movement of the sunroof. I’ll need to trim the bolts and see if that makes any material difference. Other wise i’ll Be welding those at least.