Just received an AutoDefender cat shield. Need to have it installed for me by a shop (arthritis). Want to provide better hardware than what comes with it, with the goals 1) to prevent corrosion, roads are salted here and 2) make the shield removable for maintenance. Undercarriage is Rust-Check coated. Looking through past posts and the MillerCat instructions, do I need: 6 x Zinc-Plated Steel Heavy-Duty Rivet Nut, Open End, M6x1.0 Interior Thread, 4.2-6.6 mm Material Thickness https://www.mcmaster.com/rivnuts/steel-twist-resistant-rivet-nuts/ 6 x Stainless Steel Flanged Hex Head Screw, M6 x 1 mm Thread, 30 mm Long https://www.mcmaster.com/bolts/thread-size~m6/stainless-steel-flanged-hex-head-screws-8/ 6 x Carbon Steel Split Lock Washer, Zinc-Aluminum Coated, for 1/4" Screw Size,.26" ID https://www.mcmaster.com/lock-washers/finish~zinc-aluminum-coated/ 2 x Aluminum Unthreaded Spacer, 1/2" OD, 3/8" Long, for 1/4" Screw Size https://www.mcmaster.com/spacers/aluminum-unthreaded-spacers/
That would be just for the front shield. Would need at least 4 x more of each for the rear shield (are 6 really necessary?).
Are you having this done by a body shop? Extremely few mechanics would have a rivet installation tool. Even for body shops, they may not have one. Most cars do not use Rivet nuts. Off hand, I can't think of rivet nuts coming from the factory. Good Luck!
Doesn't look like one is really necessary. Just use a long bolt, a coupler and a few washers with a socket wrench and open end.
That's exactly what I used. I also placed four radial bends in the shield that provided a half inch of clearance under the rear of the shield under the catalytic converter. That added some structure to the shield and prevents rattling and "oil canning."
I see... so the bends serve the same function as the rear spacers in the MillerCat kit. Are six screws/bolts/rivets (three per side) really needed for the smaller rear plate? Will four do?
I just riveted the shield on. Remember, the shield is a deterrent. Anything can be had with the right amount of time and effort. My key was to make it harder than average so they move along. Good luck and let us know what you end up with.
Can you link the the other shield you're mentioning besides the MillerCAT cat shield? Also, Did you buy the steel or aluminum cat shield? I am expecting both the Prius Offroad(aluminum) and MillerCAT(steel) shields any day now. It seems the more I stare at the delivery trucks the longer this takes :sigh: