A
fastener element (7, 24, 30, 41, 50, 60) is adapted to be secured in a
blind hole (12) formed in a first component (13) to be connected to a second component (14) generally provided with an aligned
blind hole. The element is of generally cylindrical shape with an outer surface provided with a series of anchoring formations (10, 32, 43) following a generally
helical path along at least a part of its length. The formations are configured to enable the element to be forcibly introduced, at least partially, without rotation thereof axially into a
blind hole in said first component to anchor the element therein. The
fastener element either has a shank permanently associated therewith (7) or one or more formations (34, 43, 45) for the operative retention of a cooperant end of a separate shank (36, 43). The shank has an engagement zone (9, 22, 23, 37, 42, 71) whereby rotation of the element can be effected about its axis to result in axial movement of the element relative to the hole to tighten a joint. The invention also provides components and a method of joining them using the fasteners.