Underbody panel bolt fell out

[BungalowDweller]

While driving out from Los Angeles to AZ, my wife and I heard a loud flapping sound under the rear passenger seat whenever we would pass a semi truck.

When we pulled over, I saw that the underbody panel in that area had come completely loose. The bolt fell out somewhere on the highway.

Does anyone know what the bolt size/thread/specs are? If I can find one at a nearby auto parts store that'd be easiest since we're on a roadtrip (and >3hrs from the nearest service center).

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[captainjp]

While driving out from Los Angeles to AZ, my wife and I heard a loud flapping sound under the rear passenger seat whenever we would pass a semi truck.

When we pulled over, I saw that the underbody panel in that area had come completely loose. The bolt fell out somewhere on the highway.

Does anyone know what the bolt size/thread/specs are? If I can find one at a nearby auto parts store that'd be easiest since we're on a roadtrip (and >3hrs from the nearest service center).

This is a 10mm hex head bolt. Length, unsure of but I’d say 1.25-1.5” should suffice.

 

[captainjp]

This is a 10mm hex head bolt. Length, unsure of but I’d say 1.25-1.5” should suffice.

Make sure it has a flange head or use a flat washer with a lock washer

 

[Riviot]

While driving out from Los Angeles to AZ, my wife and I heard a loud flapping sound under the rear passenger seat whenever we would pass a semi truck.

When we pulled over, I saw that the underbody panel in that area had come completely loose. The bolt fell out somewhere on the highway.

Does anyone know what the bolt size/thread/specs are? If I can find one at a nearby auto parts store that'd be easiest since we're on a roadtrip (and >3hrs from the nearest service center).

Yikes! Since you'll need tools to install whatever you find, I recommend pulling the bolt from the opposite side to verify length, thread, etc.

 

[captainjp]

Not

Yikes! Since you'll need tools to install whatever you find, I recommend pulling the bolt from the opposite side to verify length, thread, etc.

Not as bad as it looks. Just access for Jack points for lift. OP is fortunate to not have had the panel fall off as well

 

[BungalowDweller]

Thanks for the replies! Called Rivian (parallel pathing solutions here) and they're looking into whether a mobile service tech can make it out here or tell me the exact bolt specs so I can DIY.

Good to know it's 10mm hex head. If Rivian isn't able to get to this first I may just pull from the other side like Riviot suggested to verify length and thread pitch. Also going to add some blue loctite to my list.

DIY route maybe faster given where I'm located right now.

 

[PoutinePowered]

I just had this happen to me, used a M6 1.0x16mm flange bolt, washer, and blue Loctite. Worked like a charm.

 

[BungalowDweller]

Update on this. I didn't have access to a 10mm socket so I went directly to the nearest hardware store to find a bolt with a 10mm head to test fit with the intent to be careful not to cross-theead, then ask to borrow a wrench if it fit, though in retrospect my thinking may have been backwards there. I was in a rush and it was 104 degrees out.

When I got a bolt to try, I went outside and got under the truck. That's when I noticed the original bolt was still there. I assumed it wasn't (another assumption proven wrong - funny how that works).

Somehow the clearance hole in the panel had blown out. Though I'm not sure how this could've happened, it is the same panel that was loose when I took delivery and had been flapping around for a few weeks before the mobile tech came to fasten it up. Maybe the clearance hole in the plastic widened when it was originally loose, then was smooshed thin when tightened down? I don't know . Headed in to service tomorrow.

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