Help!! Frame rivets - Can't get them out

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Jan 20, 2006 | 03:52 PM

marspenc

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Help!! Frame rivets - Can't get them out

I have a 64 C950 that I am moving the rear axle foreward and shortening the frame on. Everything was going great untill I started to grind the rivets off - I cannot get them to pound out. Has someone done this kind of thing before? and if so what do I need to do to get the rivets out? I would have thought that if I grind the head off the rivet would pound out, but have had no success as of yet.

Jan 20, 2006 | 04:04 PM

banjopicker66

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From: Coal country

They can be very hard to get out. Make sure you have ground into the frame or bracket just a shade, to ensure you have removed all the head.

Jan 20, 2006 | 04:09 PM

ford390gashog

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From: Brentwood,CA

i ground them down and drilled a 1/4'' hole through them then followed with a 3/8'' bit .

Jan 20, 2006 | 09:13 PM

BobbyFord

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I've got them out by using a super-sharp chisle bit on my Snap-On air hammer to chop them in half. It also loosens them up enough in the hole to punch them out with a large drift punch.

Jan 22, 2006 | 09:23 AM

jrsroadhauze

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From: Visalia, CA

I ground them off and then had to heat them with a torch and use a drift punch.

Jan 22, 2006 | 09:39 AM

gearhed1971

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From: Little Falls,New York

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford390gashog

i ground them down and drilled a 1/4'' hole through them thenfollowed with a 3/8'' bit .

Rivets should always be drilled prior to removal . This should be done BEFORE grinding,as once it's ground,there's a possibility it could spin

Jan 22, 2006 | 04:52 PM

daggerNC

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From: Fuquay Varina, NC

Sends shivers thru my spine....... Spent 2 whole weekends (that's 4 full days) trying to remove the frame crossmember that sits underneath the tranny. 8 rivets, 4 of them from h*ll and the other 4 not far behind. Did the grinding where the grinder could reach - and then hand chisel with a 4lb hammer on the upper frame rivets, laying on one's back, switching arms as your forearms turn to mush, for what seemed hours. Then trying to force the rivets out with a punch not quite long enough AND offset on an angle (not a straight shot). Anyway, swore I'd never do this again

I like the idea of drilling before punching - should relieve some pressure and provide a guiding hole to keep the punch aligned. My best recommendation.......eat your spinach first!

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Jan 28, 2006 | 07:58 PM

marspenc

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thank you for the suggestions. I will be drilling them out, but by the sounds of it I'll be at it for quite awhile as there are 30 something rivets. I'll keep you posted.

Jan 28, 2006 | 09:09 PM

#10

daggerNC

Tuned

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From: Fuquay Varina, NC

May God have mercy on you! I believe you still need to grind/chisel/air hammer one side off before drilling? The one I did drill out I air grinded off the head, then started with small drill bits going up a couple of sizes each time until it came right out. Don't forget your eye protection!

Good luck,
daggerNC

Jan 28, 2006 | 09:15 PM

#11

rswhitmore

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All of the above replys are good advice. I have used all the methods mentioned, and been able to remove all but a couple this way. On a few I had to ure a torch in the center of the rivet where it was drilled out to melt the rivet out.

Jan 29, 2006 | 07:58 AM

#12

FLgargoyle

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Travelers Rest SC

I tried a number of methods, and found the quickest was to drill with a bit a little smaller than the rivet, then cut the head off with a chisel. The remaining rivet with a hole in it will punch out fairly easily. You need a quality, sharp drill bit, a decent drill motor with slow rpm, and a shot of oil will help. One problem w/ grinding is getting at rivets partially obscured by the bracket you're trying to remove. That's how I found the drill/chisel/punch technique. Also, make sure when you re-attach the component in its new location that you use grade 8 bolts and make them a tight fit in the holes.

Jan 29, 2006 | 10:57 PM

#13

jav409

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Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperBlue

Blowem out with a torch.

Yep all of them out in less than 15 min.Then just brushed around the holes and added bolts.
You get a small tip Welding tourch and them rivets blow right out and pronto.

Jan 31, 2006 | 10:24 AM

#14

SuperBlue

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From: Mesa, Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by jav409

Yep all of them out in less than 15 min.Then just brushed around the holes and added bolts.
You get a small tip Welding tourch and them rivets blow right out and pronto.

Yup! torching will save you much misery!