Decent door catches

[Headrush]

Our catches for the locker doors and the hab door have been pretty useless for a while so I decided to replace them. Got some from amazon which turned out to be exactly the same as the existing ones.
Problem is that the existing ones are secured with rivets. Taking them off has revealed that the holes in the body are larger than the maximum possible rivet size that will fit through the catch holes. It looks like they originally used some kind of rawl plug or specialist fixing.
At a loss what to do now really. I think it's probably best to cover the old holes using a larger fixing, but still not sure how to fix them on. I think just silicon or mastic will not be strong enough. There is nothing to screw to though.
I like the idea of magnetic catches, but fixing them on has the same problem.

The existing catches are evidently original as the graphic detail on the van is cut around them.

Any ideas appreciated, thanks

Alan

 

[DP+JAY]

Photos & hole size will help.

 

[Jev88]

Security bolt and nut?

 

[Headrush]

I will post photos of the situation when I get back. I'm trying to avoid making any new holes because the polystyrene insulation is coming out.

 

[Gellyneck]

Our catches for the locker doors and the hab door have been pretty useless for a while so I decided to replace them. Got some from amazon which turned out to be exactly the same as the existing ones.
Problem is that the existing ones are secured with rivets. Taking them off has revealed that the holes in the body are larger than the maximum possible rivet size that will fit through the catch holes. It looks like they originally used some kind of rawl plug or specialist fixing.
At a loss what to do now really. I think it's probably best to cover the old holes using a larger fixing, but still not sure how to fix them on. I think just silicon or mastic will not be strong enough. There is nothing to screw to though.
I like the idea of magnetic catches, but fixing them on has the same problem.

The existing catches are evidently original as the graphic detail on the van is cut around them.

Any ideas appreciated, thanks

Alan

Could you Araldite the new ones on? Bu**er to get off again, right enough!.
Or make up an aluminium plate the same size and shape as the backplate as the new catches (with appropriately located drilled holes) and Araldite that to the van. Then use self-tapping screws through the catch into the pre-drilled holes?

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[Headrush]

Could you Araldite the new ones on? Bu**er to get off again, right enough!.
Or make up an aluminium plate the same size and shape as the backplate as the new catches (with appropriately located drilled holes) and Araldite that to the van. Then use self-tapping screws through the catch into the pre-drilled holes?

I think fixing a plate to the van first is the way to go. I didn't realise how thin the actual wall board material was. Could probably get away with just mastic holding the catch but it's very messy and hard to rework next time.

 

[Raul]

If the hole is in the cavity of the wall, use hollow anchors or toggles I used quite few to attach batten ribs to the bodywork.

 

[Pops 1]

You could use stainless washers between the rivet and body, if the hole in the washer is the correct size for the rivet the rest of the washer will cover the hole in the body.

 

[Landy Andy]

Use flange head rivets.

With them the head disc/circle is bigger than standard so will cover the bigger hole in the outer panel, but can still fit the small hole in fitting.

this sort of thing.

Flange Rivets 4.8cm x 16mm 250 Pack - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Aluminium body and steel mandrel with open-type, large flange head. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com

 

[Headrush]

Wow, so many suggestions, thanks!
I'm actually going to start with Jack nuts or spider nuts. The existing holes are 8mm which coincides with the 8mm required for a M4 jack nut. They compress to zero so should be OK gripping and the bolts can be unscrewed easily if needed later.

Photos below. I have yet to remove (or just stuff inside ) the remains of the old fixings.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=372228875618

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[Raul]

That’s hollow anchors, you can get them at screwfix and toolstation. Make sure you get a setting tool with them, makes installation perfect.

 

[Boris7]

Looks like a rivet nut job to me, as long as you have the right tool already, if not unless your going to use it again a good quality rivet (or captive nut) set is expensive so possibly a hollow anchor, but beware hollow anchors normally need much more room behind the panel

btw, if you haven't got the kit and can get to Northamptonshire I have and your more than welcome

 

[Raul]

Rivnutt is more for metal, it does not grip well in thin plywood. Hollow anchors does both. If cavity is small, just use the short stubby ones. I have used plenty on my conversion; all different sizes. Where I had acces at the back, I used locknuts.

 

[Boris7]

Theres more than one design of rivnut

 

[Headrush]

Yes, I saw the hollow anchors on screwfix but they're all too long. The ones I got from ebay are only 15mm long which should fit inside the board OK before they are collapsed. Paid a bit more but there ya go.

Thanks for the offer Boris7, I'm in Devon so I think the plod would frown on that ?

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[Boris7]

If your trying to tempt me in to a political comment regarding travel you about 4 beers too early

 

[Headrush]

It takes that many? ?

 

[Boris7]

I’m an opatimssed , optpis, camel, optimist


ok 1 then

 

[Headrush]

Here's some photos of the job sort of finished. I can take the catches off at any time now, so I can clean it up better. I might put silicone round them but they sit about 1mm of the surface.
Anyway I'm glad they're on and work much better.