meganuke said:
That is the result of attempting to install rivnuts by yourself. Ratchet slipped off as I was pulling with all my strength...smack! Right in the forehead. And I wasn't sure it was tight enough, so I had to do it a second time. Smack again!
No, the skidplate is still not on. One of the rivnuts expanded while it wasn't flush with the frame, so it's unusable. I ordered another 2. Once they arrive, I'll attempt to finish the job. But I'll get a third hand this time!
I am in a similar position, but I don't have the decorations on my forehead. I got the 3 rear rivnuts in just fine. I tried to install the first of the front rivnuts, and it started to go in crooked, and I had to pull it out and order some more.
I still haven't decided what I would do differently when the new rivnuts come in. There isn't all that much room for another person under the car, but I suppose that is one option to try.
I was toying with the idea of using my cordless drill - it has a low-speed high-torque setting (up to 350 ft-pounds) and an adjustable maximum torque (it just start slip when you reach the torque you have dialed in). I have used this thing in the past with success while using sockets on the business end of the thing. If I do it this way, I can keep one hand on the vice-grip to steady the install tool, and use the other hand on the drill, and hopefully it should be easier to keep the socket from popping off.