Hi all,

Nearly there putting my Supercharged back together but have an issue with fitting the side steps back.

The captive nuts at the front and on the inside of the 'box section' under the drivers seat gave way when I removed themdue to be rusted out back in May. Bit of pig to get the steps off but that now leaves me the problem of how to attach them back...

I've tried Rivnuts but they just don't grip when compressed/flattened like Rivnuts do. I've got a feeling I may have to weld the bracket up there which is a pain if I ever wanted to look under the sills covers again, but I can't see any other way of getting the step securely attached to the L322.

Any other ideas anyone? Gavin

2005 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.2 Supercharged V8
1998 Defender 50th Anniversary - GB168 - preparing for sale

Follow my 4.2 Supercharged antics -
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic63354.html
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ChHNSdscnJarKjBLd_IAg

A couple of ideas, I expect you will get a few more....

You could make a plate with captive nuts, cut out a section of the sill and weld the plate in, sounds easy in theory but would need very precise positioning, either make a template or use the side step to line up the new plate. welding it in would be a pain as well because of access...

Have you tried aluminium rivnuts, they squash easier and grip better, they do need some form of rustproofing when used in steel though...  Pete

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2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Thanks Pete - Yes, I had considered welding a plate in as a last resort but its a bit drastic. Good point about the Ali Rivnuts - I'll look to order some

I was also thinking of making a 'U' shaped plate up and welding it to the side step and then drilling through both sides of the chassis sill and sending a bolt through from one side to the other to secure it. Gavin

2005 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.2 Supercharged V8
1998 Defender 50th Anniversary - GB168 - preparing for sale

Follow my 4.2 Supercharged antics -
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic63354.html
https://www.instagram.com/l322_supercharged/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ChHNSdscnJarKjBLd_IAg

If you try to clamp through both sides of the box section sill I think that might just keep bending both sides in, maybe a larger hole in the outer sill and a smaller one in the inner sill and use the large hole to put a bolt, with a decent size washer through the smaller hole which you can then secure with a socket and extension through the large hole.... if that makes sense... You could plug the large hole afterwards if needed.... Pete

__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Parchment over Navy Interior. Sold
2012 L322 Autobiography 5.0 Supercharged Ipanema Sand, Jet Interior. Sold
2002 L322 Vogue 4.4 V8 Epson Green, Ivory over Aspen Interior (Fatty Offroader) Sold
-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Can't remember if it was the front or rear captive nuts that went on me when removing the side steps, but there was a big hole in the rail nearby. I was able to get a nut and washer over the hole and then run a bolt up. Just enough room to get a spanner IIRC. It eventually had enough grip to self tighten without a spanner. Not ideal, but a quick fix. .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

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I went for a mixture of that and my finger stuffed up in the hole - its all done now and I'm about to post it all up on my main thread.

Thanks all for the responses  Gavin

2005 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.2 Supercharged V8
1998 Defender 50th Anniversary - GB168 - preparing for sale

Follow my 4.2 Supercharged antics -
https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic63354.html
https://www.instagram.com/l322_supercharged/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ChHNSdscnJarKjBLd_IAg