Should this be a rivet?
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Should this be a rivet?
I was in Les Schwab getting my tires balanced today and a guy was nice enough to have a look at my front end for me. He looked at the steering linkage while another guy jerked the steering wheel back and forth. One of the problems that he said he saw was that there was a BOLT on my frame where there should have been a RIVET, and the frame was "flexing" at that bolt. The bolt is located near the steering box and front shocks on the left side of the truck. I was wondering if anyone else could lay under their truck, feet out the front, and look at this spot on the frame to see if there is a RIVET or a BOLT. The bolt that I have there can be twisted back and forth in place, and stops in either direction, but doesn't seem to show any signs of tightening. Heres a picture of the bolt in question:
Thanks guys.
-Chris
Thanks guys.
-Chris
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Well apparently in this case that is not true, because this bolt is loose and the frame is flexing. And no it can't be tightened, read my post. Can someone please look at their truck and see what is there? Thanks.
-Chris
-Chris
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,511
Likes: 5,567
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
sorry, i did not see the part where the bolt was loose.
but it still makes no difference between a bolt and rivet if the bolt is tight. i would remove that bolt, and replace it with a new bolt with thread locker on it, and locknut to prevent it from loosening again. to replace the bolt with a rivet will require disassembly of allot of stuff.
but it still makes no difference between a bolt and rivet if the bolt is tight. i would remove that bolt, and replace it with a new bolt with thread locker on it, and locknut to prevent it from loosening again. to replace the bolt with a rivet will require disassembly of allot of stuff.
Junior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Milton, WA
He is right. When I lifted my truck I had to drill out a bunch of rivets to get some brackets out. Then the new brackets were put on with bolts. I would replace the bolt that is in there right now with a grade eight bolt and nut and make sure you put locktite on it so that it does not come loose.
Thread Starter
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
Yeah that makes sense. I was also just a bit curious if there was originally a rivet there, but I'll take your advice. I supposed the previous owner had to drill the rivet out to install the lift (possibly?). If anyone gets a chance it'd be great if you could look under your truck and see... I'm just curious ;-) Thanks guys.
-Chris
-Chris
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Candler, NC
Any time you have the opportunity, if you've got it apart, I'd replace a rivet with a bolt. I hate the rivets. They get loose and pop and you cant tell they're loose
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,996
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From: Pittsburgh,Pa.
I can't tell you for sure if it's supposed to have a rivit but I can tell you the bolt is not installed correctly.It should have had a flat washer under the head.Better than that it should be a flanged head bolt.A flanged head or frame bolt has the washer stamped as part of the bolt head.I use these anytime I have to replace a rivit.You can get them at most heavy truck dealers or truck parts stores.Most medium/heavy truck frames are bolted rather than rivited for ease of repair.Hope this helps.
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