Any tricks on removing the C/M rivits - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

slam33 · 10-12-2002, 11:54 AM

Getting close to doing the convertion from stick to auto and the only problem area I see it getting to the rivits on the crossmember while the cab is still on the truck. Seems there's not much room to work with in that area. I have the crossmember for a stick which is up forward supporting the bellhousing. I don't have a torch to do it with and drilling the heads is a no go becuse of no space to work with. Anyone run into this one before, how did you make them gone ?

bigjimzlll · 10-12-2002, 12:20 PM

I used a sawzall... last night i had to replace my center carrier bearing..I have on of them super heavy duty ones..Has to use a grinder to grind the head of the rivets off, and then drill the rest of the hard SOB out...major PITA

OLDCHEV4X4 · 10-12-2002, 12:48 PM

I replaced 72 rivets on my swb 4x4 and the best way i found is this: Grind a flat on the head of the rivet. Center punch in the center. Drill with a 3/16 or 1/8 drill bit, about 1/4 or so deep. drill with a 7/16 bit till the head spins off. Punch out rivet.
If you dont get your starter hole in the center, the rivet head might not spin off. So keep looking in the 7/16 hole your drilling so that you dont drill through the frame. And then take a chizle and knock the rivet head off. I had two drills so that it went a little faster.

Randy

crazy longhorn · 10-12-2002, 03:32 PM

I use a die grinder with a whiz wheel, & cut a cross on the rivet head. then just knock it off with a chisel. If you dont plan to save the old stick crossmember, it may be easier to to hack it out with a sawzall . good luck......crazy AL

Don Smith · 10-12-2002, 08:34 PM

I used a big chisel (kept it sharp) and a big hammer and cut the rivet heads off. Used eye and ear protection.

Gordo · 10-12-2002, 08:39 PM

Maybe you can borrow a right angle drill to drill the heads off on the upper half.

70 Jimmy · 10-13-2002, 12:54 AM

No need to drill if you grind/cut off the rivet head. Just a BFH and a punch. Get a big punch so you beat the heck out of it. It's fun!

firstgencamaros · 10-13-2002, 04:20 AM

An air hammer with a sharp chisel bit should take them right off.
Good luck,

Alexis · 10-13-2002, 04:29 AM

hahaha, air-chisels are always fun. i say if your going to get a chisel for your air-tool get one with a angle to it. i've found those to work best for me when braking rivets off. just my 2 cents

10-12-2002, 11:54 AM	#1
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	Any tricks on removing the C/M rivits Getting close to doing the convertion from stick to auto and the only problem area I see it getting to the rivits on the crossmember while the cab is still on the truck. Seems there's not much room to work with in that area. I have the crossmember for a stick which is up forward supporting the bellhousing. I don't have a torch to do it with and drilling the heads is a no go becuse of no space to work with. Anyone run into this one before, how did you make them gone ? __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

10-12-2002, 12:20 PM	#2
bigjimzlll Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Redding,CA...USA Posts: 4,736	I used a sawzall... last night i had to replace my center carrier bearing..I have on of them super heavy duty ones..Has to use a grinder to grind the head of the rivets off, and then drill the rest of the hard SOB out...major PITA __________________ It's called "drag racing" if they called it "tic..tic..WHAM!..BANG! F*&K!!!", they'd have to keep the magazines under the counter with the other men's publications click the clicky to join the site.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php 67 lwb..first hotrod in 25 years..540 best ET is 9.45 @ 141.44 Anderson,CA

10-12-2002, 12:48 PM	#3
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	I replaced 72 rivets on my swb 4x4 and the best way i found is this: Grind a flat on the head of the rivet. Center punch in the center. Drill with a 3/16 or 1/8 drill bit, about 1/4 or so deep. drill with a 7/16 bit till the head spins off. Punch out rivet. If you dont get your starter hole in the center, the rivet head might not spin off. So keep looking in the 7/16 hole your drilling so that you dont drill through the frame. And then take a chizle and knock the rivet head off. I had two drills so that it went a little faster. Randy __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

10-12-2002, 08:34 PM	#5
Don Smith Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Hampton, Ga, USA Posts: 217	I used a big chisel (kept it sharp) and a big hammer and cut the rivet heads off. Used eye and ear protection. __________________ 68 Short Stepside, 350, quadrajet, 700r4, 3:73 posi, power front discs, HEI, Factory Air, Tilt, Tach, accelerator cable instead of rod, sway bar. 96 Impala SS 97 Monte Carlo

10-12-2002, 08:39 PM	#6
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	Maybe you can borrow a right angle drill to drill the heads off on the upper half. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

10-12-2002, 03:32 PM	#4
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	I use a die grinder with a whiz wheel, & cut a cross on the rivet head. then just knock it off with a chisel. If you dont plan to save the old stick crossmember, it may be easier to to hack it out with a sawzall . good luck......crazy AL

10-13-2002, 12:54 AM	#7
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	No need to drill if you grind/cut off the rivet head. Just a BFH and a punch. Get a big punch so you beat the heck out of it. It's fun! __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

10-13-2002, 04:20 AM	#8
firstgencamaros Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 151	An air hammer with a sharp chisel bit should take them right off. Good luck, __________________ FGC

10-13-2002, 04:29 AM	#9
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,874	hahaha, air-chisels are always fun. i say if your going to get a chisel for your air-tool get one with a angle to it. i've found those to work best for me when braking rivets off. just my 2 cents



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