OEM Spring mounts
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Herald, CA
OEM Spring mounts
I’m going with the corvette rear end and will be ordering the kit from flat out eng after my frame is cleaned up and boxed. My question is does any one know if the flat out eng kit use the OEM leaf spring mounts or can I take them off? If so, what is the best way to remove them? Grind the rivet heads off or drill? Also, what about the Mustang II front end, does it use the OEM mounts or can I take them off also?
Thanks alot!
Thanks alot!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Kid,
I'm not familiar with the flat-out kit but if it's for a Corvette rear you definitely will not need the old leaf spring mounts. Ditto with the MII front suspension. However, I wouldn't be in a big hurry to remove the OEM mounts until you have reviewed the installation instructions for the front and rear suspension. Sometimes, the instructions for kit installations include locating measurements which might involve these mounts. When I removed my crossmember I found the easiest way to remove the rivets you can get to easily was to grind them off with a 4 inch cutoff wheel. The others I used a cold chisel and 5 lb sledge. About 5-6 whacks will take the heads off and then you can use a punch to knock them through the frame. I found drilling to the the slowest way to remove them.
I'm not familiar with the flat-out kit but if it's for a Corvette rear you definitely will not need the old leaf spring mounts. Ditto with the MII front suspension. However, I wouldn't be in a big hurry to remove the OEM mounts until you have reviewed the installation instructions for the front and rear suspension. Sometimes, the instructions for kit installations include locating measurements which might involve these mounts. When I removed my crossmember I found the easiest way to remove the rivets you can get to easily was to grind them off with a 4 inch cutoff wheel. The others I used a cold chisel and 5 lb sledge. About 5-6 whacks will take the heads off and then you can use a punch to knock them through the frame. I found drilling to the the slowest way to remove them.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Ditto what Vern said. Don't be too hasty removing stuff.
About those rivets: I cut a cross in the heads using my cutoff wheel, then an air hammer with a chisel to zip the heads right off. Easy. The cross just allows the head to fold on itself quicker. I have tried just the air hammer and that works too, just takes longer.
About those rivets: I cut a cross in the heads using my cutoff wheel, then an air hammer with a chisel to zip the heads right off. Easy. The cross just allows the head to fold on itself quicker. I have tried just the air hammer and that works too, just takes longer.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
From: Spokane USA
I've used several methods. Air chisel and then air punch, angle grinder and then air punch, drill and air punch, drill all of it, and last a 2" cut off wheel in a die grinder and an air punch. It all depends on what size the rivet is and where it is. The one caution with the air chisel is that it can elongate the frame hole. I think I like the die grinder and then air punch set up the most ... depends on what kind of access there is with the particular rivet location. Sometimes the only option is to drill it all out.
