Removing Rivets
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Palo Alto, CA
Removing Rivets
I'm installing a lift kit on a 90 bronco and I have to remove three rivets from the radius arm bracket. I got the bottom part of the rivets off using an air hammer and a rivet remover adapter. Now where im stuck is, do I have to drill the rest of the rivet out or should I just be able to use a punch and get it out that way?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 620
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
I didn't have a chisel or torch, so I just used an angle grinder. It took me a long time, but it worked 
I was under there with a dust mask on, and old skiing goggles (with the vents on the goggles duct-taped).
I then was able to pop some of the rivets with a punch. I left the tough ones in and just batted the hell out of the bracket with a mini-sledge until the bracket flew off the frame!
I was under there with a dust mask on, and old skiing goggles (with the vents on the goggles duct-taped).I then was able to pop some of the rivets with a punch. I left the tough ones in and just batted the hell out of the bracket with a mini-sledge until the bracket flew off the frame!
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
What works REALLY good is a .22 caliber concrete nailer (shooting blanks of course). Remove the head and shoot it with the nailer.
CAUTION: PROTECT YOUR OIL PAN/ENGINE and anything else in the flight path. The rivits fly a long ways.
Disclaimer: Use above method at your on risk.
CAUTION: PROTECT YOUR OIL PAN/ENGINE and anything else in the flight path. The rivits fly a long ways.
Disclaimer: Use above method at your on risk.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Va. Beach, VA
When I replaced my radius arm bushings I had to remove the same rivets. I took the truck to my local exhaust shop and they burned the rivets off with a torch in about 30 seconds. They also installed the new grade 8 hardware I brought with me in place of the rivets so I could drive home. When I went to pay the bill the manager said just throw the mechanic a tip... I slid him a $10 and drove off a happy customer.
New User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
the angle grinder is what worked for me. Was kinda hard to get to the inside rivet but a a ball joint seperator with a huge hammer as well as a drill came in handy at that point.
If it doest's come out by force, use violence! ;-)
If it doest's come out by force, use violence! ;-)
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 620
Likes: 1
From: Toronto, ON
Originally Posted by Fishallot
When I replaced my radius arm bushings I had to remove the same rivets. I took the truck to my local exhaust shop and they burned the rivets off with a torch in about 30 seconds. They also installed the new grade 8 hardware I brought with me in place of the rivets so I could drive home. When I went to pay the bill the manager said just throw the mechanic a tip... I slid him a $10 and drove off a happy customer.
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nv_brewer, I like using .50 BMG rounds to blow the rivets off, I use to use a shotgun but kept hitting my friends in the face, yours truly, Dick Cheney
