Skid Plate Attachment Point Stripped Out

[Preston]

I was replacing the skid plates on my '22 Rubicon with the Artec skid plates, and when I was removing the transfer case skid plate, one of the nuts inserted into the frame rail stripped out. I had to cut the bolt to remove the skid plate and now there's just a hole. It looks like a rivnut-type set up for the skid plate attachment points.

Any ideas on how to fix it? Would it qualify for a warranty repair? I need that attachment point for the Artec skid plate. I appreciate the advice!

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[Outback_Joe]

The Dealer should be the first point of contact, but I hate that route. Try and find someone at a local fab shop to install a new Riv-Nut if you can. Box frames do have there drawbacks.

 

[Camaroboi13]

Harbor freight sells a nutsert kit, I used it for my wife’s inner fender liners on her JLU. Came with several sizes, you just have to go to Home Depot and purchase corresponding bolts.

 

[Preston]

After looking into it a bit more, the nutsert would have to be larger than M12 (M14? M16? The hole is 0.75" dia.), which is getting really big. After speaking with Rebel Off Road-Fort Worth, they suggested inserting a steal bar with a nut welded to it inside the frame over where the hole is. (There are some holes in the frame where they should be able to insert it.

 

[mrmo]

I dont know about a 3/4 nutsert, I have used up to 7/16 I think. Of course a lot of the smaller more common (1/4, 3/8, etc). I dont remember seeing that large of a bolt on the skid plates....

 

[Preston]

I dont know about a 3/4 nutsert, I have used up to 7/16 I think. Of course a lot of the smaller more common (1/4, 3/8, etc). I dont remember seeing that large of a bolt on the skid plates....

The skid plate bolts are M12 believe, but the hole left where the nutsert was is 3/4" in diameter, which is bigger than a M12 nutsert, which is weird.

 

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

After looking into it a bit more, the nutsert would have to be larger than M12 (M14? M16? The hole is 0.75" dia.), which is getting really big. After speaking with Rebel Off Road-Fort Worth, they suggested inserting a steal bar with a nut welded to it inside the frame over where the hole is. (There are some holes in the frame where they should be able to insert it.

There's weld nuts, you can get floater weld nuts also. Weld nuts are nice. If you are only doing one it's probably not worth the effort tracking down some weld nuts.
I have welded regular uncoated nuts with succuss but you get too hot you can warp them, they get out of round slightly. Go a little at a time and let it cool, no biggie. Good luck.

 

[Preston]

There's weld nuts, you can get floater weld nuts also. Weld nuts are nice. If you are only doing one it's probably not worth the effort tracking down some weld nuts.
I have welded regular uncoated nuts with succuss but you get too hot you can warp them, they get out of round slightly. Go a little at a time and let it cool, no biggie. Good luck.

Thanks for the tip!

BTW, Trout Fishing in America was a band in Texas I used to go see a long time ago. Good memories....

 

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

Thanks for the tip!

BTW, Trout Fishing in America was a band in Texas I used to go see a long time ago. Good memories....

I've heard them, didn't know they were from Texas. It's also a novel by Richard Brautigan, 1967. Someone legally changed their to Trout Fishing in America back in the 1990's.
I like the novel by Richard Brautigan for no other reason except I was pretty young when I read it and never read anything like that before. It's a short easy read. I Immediately read it again after I finished it. Started me on a long journey of weird books. Mayonnaise.

 

[Hamandcamo]

I've had the same thing happen. At least for a manual, and it's the one toward the front of the vehicle, you should be able to fit a 90 degree needle nose plier in there to grip the nutsert. there's holes in the support on the top, but it's hard to get fingers in there without hitting the transmission.

 

[Preston]

I've had the same thing happen. At least for a manual, and it's the one toward the front of the vehicle, you should be able to fit a 90 degree needle nose plier in there to grip the nutsert. there's holes in the support on the top, but it's hard to get fingers in there without hitting the transmission.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[mrmo]

good to know info...

 

[TomH]

There's weld nuts, you can get floater weld nuts also. Weld nuts are nice. If you are only doing one it's probably not worth the effort tracking down some weld nuts.
I have welded regular uncoated nuts with succuss but you get too hot you can warp them, they get out of round slightly. Go a little at a time and let it cool, no biggie. Good luck.

If you can put a bolt in the nut before welding, it will keep the nut from deforming as much.

 

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

If you can put a bolt in the nut before welding, it will keep the nut from deforming as much.

Nice tip.

 

[toddarama]

If you can put a bolt in the nut before welding, it will keep the nut from deforming as much.

Just be careful not to weld the nut to the bolt by accident. Don't ask how I know this.

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