Exhaust Tips (Re)Fitting
 

Slowly going through all the bits I need to do to sort out my "new" '08 Moonrock and given I didn't have enough time to do anything serious after a weekend away at the parent's place down south (plus looking after both the kids), I decided it was time to remove the OEM exhaust tips so I could clean them. The bolts were badly corroded so some WD40 and a bit of elbow grease got one removed... in fragments. It was in enough of a state that a decent shove sheared the bolt into shrapnel. So, I removed it, and then a lot more elbow grease got it somewhere near clean. Then came time to fit it back on. I hadn't noticed from the (few) images online where you can see the interior of the back side of the exhaust tip, but the bolt to attach it appears to be welded to the tip itself. A current ebay listing shows it (if not particularly clearly) here

What I have looks like this (pre-cleaning!):
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.s2k...d8fcb7b3a3.jpg

Wherefor art thou, nut?

So... I'd be very interested in any suggestions as to the best way of re-mounting it. I'm currently thinking that epoxy resin should provide me with enough purchase to allow tightening to the point where friction between the nut and the metal will do the rest. I don't have welding gear, nor the expertise to wield it!

I was worried a rivnut would be rather problematic to remove. I've gone for epoxy-ing the nut in place; it held well enough until the force from the bolt was providing enough friction. Now I need to sort exhaust tip #2. Winter weather in March isn't conducive to car maintenance, so something I can bring inside and sort is rather tempting over changing the diff fluid :)

Good tip on the kitchen roll + WD40, I'll give that a shot on #2

Re the cleaning I used to take mine off and spend ages using Autosol but now, just a quick wipe round with Wynn's Carburetor cleaner is all it takes and no need to remove the tips.

How about a nut either side of the flat plate and the bolt through them both?