41 05 504 Repair Solution For Straight Shank/Hexagon Rivet Nut

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 21 other vehicles, including the 2013 BMW 328xi, 2013 BMW 328i, 2012 BMW 328xi, 2012 BMW 328i, and 2011 BMW 328xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Protection measures!

Wear protective 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
IMPORTANT: Avoid paintwork damage

Fig 1: Spot-Drilling Rivet Head
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Knock rivet head away with a chisel

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

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

Fig 4: Newly Drilled Hole In Component
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
1. If the rivet shank can be removed:
  IMPORTANT: To avoid corrosion, stop chips/debris by means of cavity sealing.
  Follow Instructions On Corrosion Protection.
  
  Preserving cavity
  
  Fig 5: Sealing Cavity
  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. 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/debris and rivet nut shank with cavity foam.
  Remove foam remnants with isohexane (cleaning-grade petroleum spirit).
  
  Stop rivet shank by means of specific foaming
  
  NOTE: Fit rivet nut as quickly as possibly, ideally before the cavity foam hardens.
  
  Fig 6: Sealing Cavity
  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
1. Hexagon rivet nut (up to M8 thread), straight shank rivet nut:
  IMPORTANT: Follow manufacturer's operating instructions.
  Make sure rivet nut correctly contacts component.
  
  Set rivet nut with hand rivet gun
  
  NOTE: The pictured tool in is suitable up to an M8 thread
  
  Fig 7: Hand Rivet Gun And Component
  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
2. Hexagon rivet nut (from M10 thread):
  IMPORTANT: Ensure correct screw length. The complete thread length of the rivet nut must be used for installation.
  Make sure hexagon rivet nut correctly contacts component.
  
  Replace screw after use.
  
  Insert screw (tensile strength min. 10.9) with body washer into hexagon rivet nut
Insert hexagon rivet nut into pre-punched hexagon hole and install by turning screw
NOTE: On Installation:
Rivet nut is upset (screw very difficult to move).

Rivet nut is contracted (screw comparatively easy to move).

Rivet nut is pressed onto the component (screw slowly becomes difficult to move). Procedure is finished with the fitting of the relevant component and its tightening torque

Fig 8: Hexagon Rivet Nut And Component
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.