Battery Clamp Rivets
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 720
Likes: 205
From: Michigan
Battery Clamp Rivets
Hi Gang,
Purchased the full hold-down kit from Eckler's since I've got nothing but a bare fiberglass tub under my battery, and I'm tired of it knocking around on stop/starts.
The kit came with all the parts including the underside reinforcements and the rivets to secure them to the fiberglass (2 types of rivets). See the rivets at the bottom of the attached photo.
No instructions on how to fasten the rivets, and they're not normal blind "pop" rivets that I would have expected.
Looks like I'll need some kind of special tool to back-up the head and then peen-over the tip, but there are no clearance holes to work with in the area either.
Any experience on how to secure these?
They appear to be solid aluminum.
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,221
Likes: 4,312
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Bb,
Those rivets are what you describe. They were used at many locations on the underbody.
They are 'set' by peening the shaft into a 'mushroom' shape.
They can be set by hand with a 'buck' on the head side and a small tool like a nail-set and hammer on the shaft side.
The rivets can also be set using a small air tool.
Because of these particular rivets location it takes 2 people to set them.
If originality isn't a concern then you could certainly use typical pop-rivets.
Regards,
Alan
Those rivets are what you describe. They were used at many locations on the underbody.
They are 'set' by peening the shaft into a 'mushroom' shape.
They can be set by hand with a 'buck' on the head side and a small tool like a nail-set and hammer on the shaft side.
The rivets can also be set using a small air tool.
Because of these particular rivets location it takes 2 people to set them.
If originality isn't a concern then you could certainly use typical pop-rivets.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Mar 13, 2017 at 04:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Using standard Pop-Rivets...
I think not!
You have a 30+ pound battery moving along with the car a 70 mph and you do a panic stop. Would 1/8" aluminum Pop-Rivets hold that battery in place? Hmmmm..
I suggest that you use at least 3/16" STEEL Pop-Rivets, which might have a chance of holding.
I think not!You have a 30+ pound battery moving along with the car a 70 mph and you do a panic stop. Would 1/8" aluminum Pop-Rivets hold that battery in place? Hmmmm..
I suggest that you use at least 3/16" STEEL Pop-Rivets, which might have a chance of holding.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 290
Likes: 78
Aren't the factory rivets aluminum? Beside, I don't care if you use pop rivets made out of titanium from the Space Shuttle, the materiel being attached to is fiberglass. You'll rip that glass out before those rivets let loose. Just saying.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 719
From: Lafayette Louisiana
My experience,...
My experience, I had to replace one of the two battery hold down brackets on my 68, and I used small stainless steel screws,washers and nuts about the size of the OEM rivets. Of course, very long arms or a helper is a must, preferably the latter. Hope this might help.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
The metal bracket and the metal support underneath spread the load absorbed by the rivets so that the fiberglass doesn't fracture. But, the total load is transferred through the rivets. If they can't stand the stress, they will stretch to failure...without cracking the fiberglass.
The steel screws/bolts will be as strong as steel rivets...and MUCH stronger than aluminum pop-rivets.
Do whatever you want, it's your car. We're just trying to give you good advice. "You can take a horse to water..." is still a viable adage.
The steel screws/bolts will be as strong as steel rivets...and MUCH stronger than aluminum pop-rivets.
Do whatever you want, it's your car. We're just trying to give you good advice. "You can take a horse to water..." is still a viable adage.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,787
Likes: 261
From: Blue Bell PA
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
The metal bracket and the metal support underneath spread the load absorbed by the rivets so that the fiberglass doesn't fracture. But, the total load is transferred through the rivets. If they can't stand the stress, they will stretch to failure...without cracking the fiberglass.
The steel screws/bolts will be as strong as steel rivets...and MUCH stronger than aluminum pop-rivets.
Do whatever you want, it's your car. We're just trying to give you good advice. "You can take a horse to water..." is still a viable adage.
The steel screws/bolts will be as strong as steel rivets...and MUCH stronger than aluminum pop-rivets.
Do whatever you want, it's your car. We're just trying to give you good advice. "You can take a horse to water..." is still a viable adage.
And are a 1/4 bolt from above. No one will see it from the battery compartment . Just a thought.
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