PRE-ASSEMBLED MANIFOLD FASTENER SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREFOR

摘要

A pre-assembled workpiece fastenable to a mounting surface of a second workpiece, and in one application a pre-assembled plastic component fastenab le to a metal automotive engine component. The pre-assembled workpiece includes an opening extending therethrough between an outer surface and a mounting surface thereof. A slee ve member is retainably disposed in the opening through the pre-assembled workpiece, and a fastener having a threaded shank portion and a head is retainably disposed through the sleev e member. The fastener is axially and laterally positionable relative to the pre-assembled workpiece, whereby the pre-assembled workpiece is mountable and alignable on the mounting surfa ce of the second workpiece without interference from the fastener. The sleeve member i ncludes a resilient first substantially radial flange member, whereby the sleeve membe r is axially positionable relative to the opening through the pre-assembled workpiece upo n fastening the pre-assembled workpiece to the second workpiece to compensate for misalignme nt tolerance and thermal expansion of the pre-assembled workpiece.