1972 K10 Steering flexing rivets in cross member?

[suburban99]

Hey all, my 72 K10 is flexing the crossmember rivets. I am planning on installing a steering brace but how can I tighten up the rivets?

[68panelman]

I don't think there's a way to tighten up the rivet. Replace it with a new grade 8 bolt, make sure it has the correct shoulder and not all threads

[suburban99]

Here’s a picture of the rivet I removed. You can see the wear marks from 46 years or turns! Hole in frame and crossmember we’re still round and a 7/16 grade 8 fit tight. Thanks for the help.

[sweetk30]

nice to see you did 7/16 bolt .

lots of guys say its o.k. with 3/8" but thats a tad loose . the 7/16 just needs a kiss with the drill bit and fits tight .

also good idea to grab a bolt in brace to help with the loose box bolts or cracked frame or loose riviot problem . and it firms up the steering feel a bit . http://www.offroaddesign.com/catalog/steeringkit.htm

[mike16]

its important that the replacement hardware fit tight

[OLDCHEV4X4]

My method is a 11mm drill bit (.433), and a 7/16-20 grade 8 bolt, and red loctite. You can torque a fine thread tighter than a coarse thread.