Removing Rivots?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Removing Rivots?
I'm putting a lift on my 93 F-150 and it's time for the radius arm drop brackets. Left side no problem, all nuts and bolts. Right side a different story. I remeber doing this on my '76 a few years back and a real pain in the #ss. I drilled them all out then, but know there has to be an easier way. Was thinking about using a saws-all for the heads. If I do end up drilling again what's the best type of bit? Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 0
From: Florida Hill Country
I would use an air chisel on the large ones if you can get a clear shot on them. The air chisel would give a hard, smooth whack on the thing. Its more difficult to get a clean crisp whack with a hand chisel and hammer plus theres the risk of glancing blows with hand tools. If I used a drill, I would go with titanium and use the proper bit oil to keep the bit from over heating and gauling and breaking as a result. You could drill a smaller, pilot hole first then use a larger bit.
Last edited by rlh; Dec 22, 2003 at 12:31 AM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
best way to do it is find someone with a acytelene torch and blow them straight out. Took me about 15 minutes to do all the rivets on my old 93 F-150.
another option is to cut the heads off with a ziz wheel and then tap the rest out with a hammer.
-jason-
another option is to cut the heads off with a ziz wheel and then tap the rest out with a hammer.
-jason-
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
From: MN
I wouldn't torch on the frame. That heat can affect the steel in unpredictable ways. I'm going to be grinding them.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
i have done several with a torch and as long as you keep the heat on the rivet it won't affect anything else.
lol, i hope you got some time
have fun.
-jason-
BTW...I am in the same boat, I am going today to put a 6" under a buddies truck and he is gonna grind.
lol, i hope you got some time
have fun.-jason-
BTW...I am in the same boat, I am going today to put a 6" under a buddies truck and he is gonna grind.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,121
Likes: 1
From: Springfield, VA
I had all the rivets of mine and the donor trucks brackets off in about an hour and a half, but then again, I took the track bar bracket off the donor and center brackets on my 95 when I did the SAS. I just used an air chisel to pop the heads and then swapped bits in the chisel to punch the rest of the rivet out. Went like Butter, just got to keep the chisel trimmed up and sharp!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
What I do is center punch the rivet head. Then drill small bits all the way through until I am up to about 1/8. One reason is so you know where the center of the rivet is after grinding and because you might want to do more drilling.
Then grind the head off. Then air hammer the rest of the rivet out. Sometimes on the older iron (Fords) you will need to drill a bigger hole to relieve the pressure on the rivet. On some I have drilled it all the way out, using gradual steps in drill size, until only a shell remained of the rivet and then pulled it out with needle nose.
A grinder (if it fits) or a cut off wheel will take a rivet off in no time if your compressor is large enough.
Then grind the head off. Then air hammer the rest of the rivet out. Sometimes on the older iron (Fords) you will need to drill a bigger hole to relieve the pressure on the rivet. On some I have drilled it all the way out, using gradual steps in drill size, until only a shell remained of the rivet and then pulled it out with needle nose.
A grinder (if it fits) or a cut off wheel will take a rivet off in no time if your compressor is large enough.