Rivets Installation

[MINIz guy]

So I'm going to install mud flaps on our X5 this weekend and it will be my first time ever working on a car. I just want some clarification on the BMW diagrams to make this trouble free, even if they do seem stupid to you guys.

For the front mud flaps, what exactly does this mean? I'm talking about the rivet with the X through it.


For the rears, is BMW telling me to use a hammer and hammer the rivet in so it expands? I have attached a picture of the rivets in question for this.



Anyway, wish me luck on this project. I hope I don't FUBAR this up so I don't lose my modding privileges.

[dkl]

Hmmm...must be cost cutting. When I installed mine 5 years ago, the kit for the rear came with self tapping screws in place of those expanding rivets.

The X through the rivet on the front flaps say NOT to use expanding rivets. You have to use the regular blind rivet, which requires a rivet gun to install.

[LeMansX5]

Get the rivet gun from NAPA store. Few threads on this if you search.

[MINIz guy]

Thanks guys! I kept looking at the directions and finally figured out what all the diagrams meant.

For step 5 on the front mud flaps, it is actually telling me to remove a rivet, as the mud flap overlaps this area. I then use a simple push rivet secure it back on, and this rivet doesn't even look like it needs a hammer.

The rears seem to need a hammer. I don't think a rivet gun would work, as the "shaft" is only at the upper portion of the rivet and doesn't follow through. When I pushed the "shaft" through the rivet, it expanded so now I know how that also works.