--- title: "What Are Automotive Push-Type Retainers Used For?" description: "Automotive Push-Type Retainers (Trade series (automotive push-type retainers)) are used for permanent, vibration-proof joints in sheet and plate." url: https://engineeringhardware.com/applications/automotive-push-type-retainers/ source: Engineering Hardware & Fasteners --- # What Are Automotive Push-Type Retainers Used For? Rivets · Trade series (automotive push-type retainers) · Application guide Typical applications, the industries that specify automotive push-type retainers, and how to choose the right size, material and finish for the joint. Automotive Push-Type Retainers are used for permanent, vibration-proof joints in sheet and plate. They are manufactured to Trade series (automotive push-type retainers), and selection is driven by the nominal diameter, the fit and tolerance the assembly requires, and the service environment. - **Primary duty:** Permanent, vibration-proof joints in sheet and plate - **Governing standard:** Trade series (automotive push-type retainers) - **Category:** Rivets Application notes are general engineering guidance. Verify the property class and any approval requirement against your own design calculation. ![What Are Automotive Push-Type Retainers Used For? application image](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Automotive-Push-Type-Retainers.webp) Application guide for Automotive Push-Type Retainers to Trade series (automotive push-type retainers). The core duty of the type is permanent, vibration-proof joints in sheet and plate. The typical industries, the how-to-specify checklist, assembly practice and the exclusion cases are set out below. ## Typical Applications for Automotive Push-Type Retainers The most common settings where these are specified: - **Maintenance & repair (MRO):** a stocked size for servicing existing plant where the original fastener spec must be matched. - **Fabrication & metalwork:** bench and on-site assembly of steel frames, enclosures and weldments. - **Sheet-metal assembly:** permanent joints in ductwork, panels and enclosures. - **Bodywork & trailers:** blind joints where only one side is accessible. - **Signage & cladding:** fast, vibration-resistant fixing of thin panels. 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Quoting the standard on your order guarantees interchangeable dimensions between suppliers. ## Installation & Assembly Practice - Drill the hole 0.1 mm over the nominal rivet diameter and deburr both sides before setting. - Grip range must match the total joint thickness — a rivet set outside its grip range clamps poorly and works loose. ## Common Selection Mistakes with Automotive Push-Type Retainers - Setting a rivet outside its grip range, which leaves the joint loose from day one. - Using aluminum rivets on steel sheet outdoors — galvanic corrosion eats the rivet. ## Where Automotive Push-Type Retainers Are Not the Right Choice Not where the joint must later be disassembled, and not for high-tension structural connections. Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing ## Need a automotive push-type retainers outside the standard range? Grip range is what a special usually changes — a joint thickness that falls between two standard rivets. Made by cold heading or drawing. Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval. [Custom rivet manufacturing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/rivets/)[Send a drawing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/rivets/#rfq) ## Technical Drawing Dimensioned line drawing of pushed in by hand Automotive Push-Type Retainers to Trade series (automotive push-type retainers). Side view and top view, drawn to the dimensions in the table below and redrawn for any size selected. - **Rear access:** not required - **Fit governed by:** panel hole, panel thickness, head diameter - **Reusable:** usually not ## Dimensions & Specifications (Trade series (automotive push-type retainers)) | Installation | Rear access | Fit governed by | Reusable | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | pushed in by hand | not required | panel hole, panel thickness, head diameter | usually not | | pushed in, screw-expanded centre | not required | panel hole, panel thickness, head diameter | yes, with care | | pushed in, fir-tree stem | not required | panel hole and panel thickness | usually not | Inside the plant ## Manufactured in our own plant This part is cold-formed, threaded, heat-treated and finished in-house. The stages below are where its class and finish are actually decided. 1. ![Wire rod feeding into a cold heading machine](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-wire-rod-feed-cold-heading-machine.webp) 01 **Cold heading** Wire rod is drawn to size and cold-formed into blanks. Forming rather than cutting keeps the grain flow continuous around the head, which is where a bolt is most likely to fail. Head dimensions and under-head radius checked at set-up and per shift. 2. ![Thread rolling machine producing bolt threads](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03-thread-rolling-machine-bolt-production.webp) 02 **Thread rolling** Threads are rolled between hardened dies rather than cut. Rolled threads are stronger in fatigue than cut threads and hold pitch and flank angle far more consistently across a batch. Go / no-go ring gauges to ISO 965 tolerance class 6g. 3. ![Baskets of bolts staged for heat treatment](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/05-heat-treatment-baskets-black-bolts.webp) 03 **Heat treatment** Quench-and-temper brings carbon and alloy steel to the property class ordered — 8.8, 10.9 or 12.9 — with the furnace charge tracked so a finished lot can be traced back to it. Core hardness and tensile tested per lot to ISO 898-1. 4. ![Zinc plated bolts in a treatment basket](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/23-zinc-plated-bolts-treatment-basket.webp) 04 **Surface treatment** Zinc, zinc-nickel, hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, phosphate and Dacromet, selected against the service environment rather than against the price list. Coating thickness and neutral salt spray hours to ISO 9227. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Which industries use Automotive Push-Type Retainers? They are commonly specified in sheet-metal assembly, bodywork & trailers and signage & cladding, among other sectors. ### How do I choose the right size of Automotive Push-Type Retainers? Match the size to the mating part using the dimension table on this page. ### Can Automotive Push-Type Retainers joints be taken apart? No — rivets form a permanent joint and must be drilled out to remove. Use a bolt or screw where you need to disassemble the joint later. ### What material should Automotive Push-Type Retainers be for outdoor use? For damp, coastal or chemical environments specify A4 (316) stainless or a suitably coated steel. For indoor or dry use, A2 (304) stainless or zinc-plated steel is normally adequate. ### Can I get a quote for Automotive Push-Type Retainers in the size and material I need? Yes. Use the technical drawing and quote form on this page to set the size and options, then send the exact configuration to our team for pricing and lead time. ## Related Pages Product page: [Automotive Push-Type Retainers — specifications & sizes](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener/automotive-push-type-retainers/) ### Automotive Push-Type Retainers Specification Guides ### Related Fastener Applications