Removing rivots?
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
Removing rivots?
This weekend I replaced my front leaf springs. I noticed the rear hanger on the passengers side is loose and wiggles. As with other suspension parts, the part is rivoted to the frame. Anyone have suggestions on knocking off the rivots, without putting my hand in the meat grinder? I'm planning on putting grade 8 bolts in instead to tighten things up.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riverside, So Cal
I have seen rivets removed using three different methods, depending on accessibility.
1. Using an air hammer with a chisel point, shear the head off. Then drive the stud out using a hammer and puch.
2. Using a grinder, grind the head (or tail) off, then drive it out using a hammer and punch.
3. Use a center punch, then drill out the rivet using a drill close to the size of the river body. Drive out the remnents using a hammer and punch.
4. Any combination of the above methods, as long as it includes using a hammer and punch.
When I removed the rivets on one of my rear spring hangers, I was very surprised to see how misaligned the holes in the frame and hanger were. Since the rivets are installed hot, I guess they conform to the misalignment easily.
If you use method three, start with a smaller (1/4") drill, then step up from there. It is hard to tell when you are drilling whether you are removing rivet or parent material.
1. Using an air hammer with a chisel point, shear the head off. Then drive the stud out using a hammer and puch.
2. Using a grinder, grind the head (or tail) off, then drive it out using a hammer and punch.
3. Use a center punch, then drill out the rivet using a drill close to the size of the river body. Drive out the remnents using a hammer and punch.
4. Any combination of the above methods, as long as it includes using a hammer and punch.
When I removed the rivets on one of my rear spring hangers, I was very surprised to see how misaligned the holes in the frame and hanger were. Since the rivets are installed hot, I guess they conform to the misalignment easily.
If you use method three, start with a smaller (1/4") drill, then step up from there. It is hard to tell when you are drilling whether you are removing rivet or parent material.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
Any idea what size diameter the rivot is? or the hole the rivot goes into? I recall using the air chisel on a rivot and sat there for quite a while making more damage to the chisel tip than the rivot. I also recall when raising my rear hangers I used a 4" grinder with combination of air chisel and that was tough. I like the idea of drilling the rivot out and think using a carbide drill might cut into the rivot making it easier to remove. I was also considering finding someone with a plasma cutter? LOL... Thanks for the advice guys.
Last edited by imlowr2; Apr 24, 2006 at 06:54 PM.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Owasso Oklahoma USA
If you know someone that is good with hot wrench you can torch them out. Could be messy, but fast and easy. A friend did that to the front hangers on my rear springs so I could flip them to fit mono leafs. Worked well enough. I only had some minor work to fill in around the mounting holes in the hangers with a stick welder. Then grind smooth and drill out for bolts. The rivets are softer than the cast iron brackets and melt quickly. Then use a hammer and punch to easily remove any pieces left.
If you are going to replace the brackets then you don't have to be so careful.
WARNING! not for the faint of heart
If you are going to replace the brackets then you don't have to be so careful.
WARNING! not for the faint of heart
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: S.C.
I took the front and rear shackles off using a grinder, chisel, and hammer didn't take long at all. I used 5/16 grade-8 bolts to put everything back together; I think I used 3/8 on the rear due to different shackles which had bigger holes than the original ones.
Jaye
Jaye
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Santa Clarita
Is it common for the hangers to come loose? It might be a good idea to just remove all of them and replace them with good bolts. I'd hate to have a hanger break off on me.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I removed mine the hard way. It takes about 8-10 whacks each with a 5 pound sledge and a cold chisel to knock the heads off and then a couple of more with a punch to drive them out....good exercise too! Grinding the heads off with an air or electric grinder works good too if you can get to them. 
Vern
Vern
Last edited by GreatNorthWoods; Apr 25, 2006 at 07:01 AM.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Winder, GA
I too ground down the heads on ones I could get to. Then a couple I had to use an air chisel. Had to file the chisel a couple of times back to a fine edge. But I cut all my hangers out to put the Volare front end in.
Junior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Winder, GA
I too ground down the heads on ones I could get to. Then a couple I had to use an air chisel. Then used the air hammer and punched the rivets out. Had to file the chisel a couple of times back to a fine edge. But I cut all my hangers out to put the Volare front end in.
edit: *sorry double post*
edit: *sorry double post*
Last edited by 60FordDriver; Apr 25, 2006 at 01:45 PM. Reason: Double post
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
First off go out to the garage and fire up a grinder and push your knuckes into the spinning stone, make sure you get at leat 3 knuckles, once the blood starts flowing and you have a drip or two on the floor then push the other hand against the stone. After you quit screaming and the pain eases to a dull throb, go get yourself cleaned up and bandaged, grab a frosty beverage and then attack the rivets.
The air chisel works good....but too danged loud!!
I've had the best luck with either using a grinder or a cutting wheel to remove the head, then drive the body out with a punch. I have drilled a few out also and that works well also. If you are going to drill them, take your grinder and touch the head slightly to make a flat spot. This will help you when you go to smack it with your center punch.
I think the rivets are about 5/16" or so
I guess if you are a real purist you could heat the heck out of the rivet until its red hot and then start whackign the tar out of it (back up the other side though) who knows, you might be able to reset it
good luck
Bobby
The air chisel works good....but too danged loud!!
I've had the best luck with either using a grinder or a cutting wheel to remove the head, then drive the body out with a punch. I have drilled a few out also and that works well also. If you are going to drill them, take your grinder and touch the head slightly to make a flat spot. This will help you when you go to smack it with your center punch.
I think the rivets are about 5/16" or so
I guess if you are a real purist you could heat the heck out of the rivet until its red hot and then start whackign the tar out of it (back up the other side though) who knows, you might be able to reset it
good luck
Bobby
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Postmaster
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From: Santa Clarita
Bobby- I took your advice on putting my hands on the grinder. Unfortunately, that advice didn't make much difference in getting the rivots out. So, being the intelligent person I am, I decided to use the air chisel and see just how much force it takes by using my index fingers on both hands and chiseling to the point where I was able to visually see my bone. As a result, both of my hands are now bandaged to the point I can only hold onto my power drill using my elbows and chin area. I think I'll go with drilling a 1/8" hole and progressing to a 3/8" hole to get the rivet out. But I must admit, you have provided me with some sound advice!!!! Thanks Bobby.
BTW- I like the idea of grinding the head down for the center punch. Ed
BTW- I like the idea of grinding the head down for the center punch. Ed
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Rock Creek, MN
Removing Rivets
I chopped the head off one side using a sawzall, then ground it flush, and popped it out with a punch and hammer. Worked pretty good. I couldn't get the hammer/chisel method to work at all. I figure for the spots I can't get the sawzall into, I'll just grind the heads off with the grinder.
Ben
Ben