Grinding off head of a rivet - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

skokie · 04-30-2005, 12:16 AM

I am getting ready to go out and install my sway bay and I need to know what are the dos and donts about grinding off the rivet heads? Anyone got any suggestions on the best way to do this? I have a grinder but this will be the first time using it.
Thanks

**COBALT** · 04-30-2005, 12:42 AM

Um....not much to it. Get a nice angle grinder and some eye protection. Just grind enough to take the head off. You should see a silver dime-sized area where the outline of the rivet can barely be seen. once you get that far down take a flat-headed punch (a pointed punch will dimple the rivet body and make it expand in the hole) and drive it out with a 2 lb hammer. Maybe throw in some Kroil for good measure - AFTER it's cooled down. Don't try to put pressure on it while you're grinding. It'll just eat up your disk. Small back-and-forth motions until the head of the rivet is gone. I grinded my front rivets out for my sway bar in about 30 minutes start to finish.

**pjmoreland** · 04-30-2005, 12:43 AM

I usually take a punch and make a dent right in the center of the head. Then I drill a 1/8" hole through the head. I then run a 1/4" drill through a 1/8" hole, and then a 3/8" hole. I only drill as deep as the head is thick so that I don't damage the frame rail. I then stick a punch in the 3/8" hole and pound the rivet out. It usually goes pretty quickly. If you use a grinder, you may end up slipping and grinding the frame rail by accident.

Alexis · 04-30-2005, 12:43 AM

I normal make a "X" on the head and take the air chisel to it. I chisel off the head and switch the bits on the air chisel to pop it out.

boogie67 · 04-30-2005, 12:45 AM

Just finished doing that today.Just grind the head off take a punch and knock it out.It really was not hard to do.

longhorn71 · 04-30-2005, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexis

I normal make a "X" on the head and take the air chisel to it. I chisel off the head and switch the bits on the air chisel to pop it out.

I do the same thing.If no air supply it can be done with a hacksaw and hammer and chisel but it takes way longer

JimKshortstep4x4 · 04-30-2005, 02:50 AM

What works for me is to drill the rivet head (after center punching it) with a 5/16" drill. (A larger hole works, also but with the 5/16" I only have to use one drill). Once the hole is as deep as the frame, I use an air chisel to knock off the top and a blunt air punch to drive it out. A hand chisel and a hand punch will work also. I prefer not to grind as it takes longer and you can damage the frame or component.

Jim

OLDROCK&ROLLER · 04-30-2005, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I usually take a punch and make a dent right in the center of the head. Then I drill a 1/8" hole through the head. I then run a 1/4" drill through a 1/8" hole, and then a 3/8" hole. I only drill as deep as the head is thick so that I don't damage the frame rail. I then stick a punch in the 3/8" hole and pound the rivet out. It usually goes pretty quickly. If you use a grinder, you may end up slipping and grinding the frame rail by accident.

What he said.

mocwon · 04-30-2005, 08:09 AM

The easiest way is to sharpen an air hammer chisel and simply chisel the "button" end of the rivet off and use a punch chisel in the air hammer to drive the rivet out. It takes 15 seconds or less per rivet but a good quality air hammer is required.

cableguy0 · 04-30-2005, 08:32 AM

by far the easiest way is with the blue wrench but the air chissel method would be the next easiest behind that

krue · 04-30-2005, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cableguy0

by far the easiest way is with the blue wrench but the air chissel method would be the next easiest behind that

A man after my own heart.

Sweet72 · 04-30-2005, 09:31 AM

Blue wrench? All of mine are silver... HAHAHA! Yea that 'ol cuttin' torch works great don't it? Took all the bed mounting bolts out of the GMC in 5 minutes flat!

purple gas · 04-30-2005, 09:48 AM

If I read your question right, this is your first time using a grinder. I'd get a scrap piece of sometin, and get the "feel" of the tool. There noisy, torquey, make lots of sparks ( sometimes steering the direction of the sparks is as important as what your cutting) . If you practice on something easy to work on you can stop periodically to observe the effect of differnt tequnices, using differnt motions & parts of the grinding wheel. And make sure to weat EYE PROTECTION, a full face shield is even better. Oh, and don't set your pants on fire!

Dean23 · 04-30-2005, 06:43 PM

if you have and air chisle its way easier. just cut the head off...ig you have a torch aroung youu can heat the head slightly just till it starts turning light red then hit it with the air chisel . Cuts like butter.

71Shortbed · 04-30-2005, 07:28 PM

I used a grinder on one of mine and it was a little tricky. I didn't want to grind the frame so I drilled the other. Drilling and punching it out seemd to be much easier.

72MARIO · 04-30-2005, 10:35 PM

If avaible the Air Chisel is the best. 15-30 seconds and the head is on the floor. Ear Plugs are real nice to have.

I grinded a bunck out before I learned about the air chisel. Wish I would have learned that Air trick sooner.

68w/sbc406 · 05-01-2005, 04:34 AM

i have always drilled, but thats cause i dont have a chissle

BubbaGreen · 05-01-2005, 10:06 AM

I have used the following methods: die grinder and grinding off the head. Using the small drill bit, followed by a bit bigger until its almost 3/8". Both require some special issues. Drill bit method, take your time and center punch as close as possible to the center. Die grinder, be careful when your getting towards the frame, or you will leave grinder marks all over the frame near the head of the rivit (or where it use to be). When you get close, use the flat headed chisel, not the pointed type as stated above. Never tried the air chisel method, might be a great thing. These rivets dont take too long to get out, but if your working upside down....becareful. Hot metal shavings and sparks are no fun when they land on you. :-)

shortymac83 · 05-01-2005, 10:27 AM

I've drilled all of mine. easiest way, IMO. THe problem is that you have to do it fast, otherwise the rivet will loosen up and just spin in the hole. THAT sucks.

skokie · 05-03-2005, 01:15 AM

After a little grinding down and 4 drillbits I got the pass side rivet off. Took 2 hrs but hey ROOKIE ALERT!!!!! Now I know how to go about the driver side. Thanks Guys for all the help and great advice. Ohh one more thing re the air chisel. I have used one onf those before and YES that would make short work out of a rivet.

Alexis · 05-03-2005, 01:19 AM

2hrs!!!! Holy Moly

Dude if you want you can use my air chisel. Its not a super powerful one but it gets the job done.

04-30-2005, 12:16 AM	#1
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,342	Grinding off head of a rivet I am getting ready to go out and install my sway bay and I need to know what are the dos and donts about grinding off the rivet heads? Anyone got any suggestions on the best way to do this? I have a grinder but this will be the first time using it. Thanks __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

04-30-2005, 12:42 AM	#2
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Um....not much to it. Get a nice angle grinder and some eye protection. Just grind enough to take the head off. You should see a silver dime-sized area where the outline of the rivet can barely be seen. once you get that far down take a flat-headed punch (a pointed punch will dimple the rivet body and make it expand in the hole) and drive it out with a 2 lb hammer. Maybe throw in some Kroil for good measure - AFTER it's cooled down. Don't try to put pressure on it while you're grinding. It'll just eat up your disk. Small back-and-forth motions until the head of the rivet is gone. I grinded my front rivets out for my sway bar in about 30 minutes start to finish. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

04-30-2005, 12:45 AM	#5
boogie67 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: waco tx Posts: 584	Rivets Just finished doing that today.Just grind the head off take a punch and knock it out.It really was not hard to do. __________________ 77 swb starting all over again.

04-30-2005, 08:09 AM	#9
mocwon Keep On Truckin' Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Buda, Texas Posts: 1,354	The easiest way is to sharpen an air hammer chisel and simply chisel the "button" end of the rivet off and use a punch chisel in the air hammer to drive the rivet out. It takes 15 seconds or less per rivet but a good quality air hammer is required. __________________ Just Passin' Thru Some projects are like herding cats; others are like putting out fires; this one was like herding cats on fire.....

04-30-2005, 08:32 AM	#10
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	by far the easiest way is with the blue wrench but the air chissel method would be the next easiest behind that __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

04-30-2005, 12:43 AM	#3
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,789	I usually take a punch and make a dent right in the center of the head. Then I drill a 1/8" hole through the head. I then run a 1/4" drill through a 1/8" hole, and then a 3/8" hole. I only drill as deep as the head is thick so that I don't damage the frame rail. I then stick a punch in the 3/8" hole and pound the rivet out. It usually goes pretty quickly. If you use a grinder, you may end up slipping and grinding the frame rail by accident.

04-30-2005, 12:43 AM	#4
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,879	I normal make a "X" on the head and take the air chisel to it. I chisel off the head and switch the bits on the air chisel to pop it out.

04-30-2005, 02:50 AM	#7
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	What works for me is to drill the rivet head (after center punching it) with a 5/16" drill. (A larger hole works, also but with the 5/16" I only have to use one drill). Once the hole is as deep as the frame, I use an air chisel to knock off the top and a blunt air punch to drive it out. A hand chisel and a hand punch will work also. I prefer not to grind as it takes longer and you can damage the frame or component. Jim

04-30-2005, 09:31 AM	#12
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Blue wrench? All of mine are silver... HAHAHA! Yea that 'ol cuttin' torch works great don't it? Took all the bed mounting bolts out of the GMC in 5 minutes flat! __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

04-30-2005, 09:48 AM	#13
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 694	If I read your question right, this is your first time using a grinder. I'd get a scrap piece of sometin, and get the "feel" of the tool. There noisy, torquey, make lots of sparks ( sometimes steering the direction of the sparks is as important as what your cutting) . If you practice on something easy to work on you can stop periodically to observe the effect of differnt tequnices, using differnt motions & parts of the grinding wheel. And make sure to weat EYE PROTECTION, a full face shield is even better. Oh, and don't set your pants on fire! __________________ I got a bench seat baby, you don't have to sit over there.

04-30-2005, 06:43 PM	#14
Dean23 68cst_ss490 Join Date: May 2001 Location: edmonton,canada Posts: 1,363	if you have and air chisle its way easier. just cut the head off...ig you have a torch aroung youu can heat the head slightly just till it starts turning light red then hit it with the air chisel . Cuts like butter. __________________ Dean edmonton,canada a winter wonderland 2005 Chevrolet Avalanche LT cold air intake, performance exhaust, Comp cams cam, jba shorty ceramic headers. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3090973

04-30-2005, 07:28 PM	#15
71Shortbed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Lilburn, GA Posts: 209	I used a grinder on one of mine and it was a little tricky. I didn't want to grind the frame so I drilled the other. Drilling and punching it out seemd to be much easier.

04-30-2005, 10:35 PM	#16
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	If avaible the Air Chisel is the best. 15-30 seconds and the head is on the floor. Ear Plugs are real nice to have. I grinded a bunck out before I learned about the air chisel. Wish I would have learned that Air trick sooner. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

05-01-2005, 04:34 AM	#17
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i have always drilled, but thats cause i dont have a chissle __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

05-01-2005, 10:06 AM	#18
BubbaGreen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 686	I have used the following methods: die grinder and grinding off the head. Using the small drill bit, followed by a bit bigger until its almost 3/8". Both require some special issues. Drill bit method, take your time and center punch as close as possible to the center. Die grinder, be careful when your getting towards the frame, or you will leave grinder marks all over the frame near the head of the rivit (or where it use to be). When you get close, use the flat headed chisel, not the pointed type as stated above. Never tried the air chisel method, might be a great thing. These rivets dont take too long to get out, but if your working upside down....becareful. Hot metal shavings and sparks are no fun when they land on you. :-) __________________ 71 Chevy C-10 SWB Fleetside RamJet-350/4L60e & Compushift/3.73Posi See it at www.prismnet.com/~grzanich



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05-01-2005, 10:27 AM	#19
shortymac83 hmm... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Culver, Indiana Posts: 1,631	I've drilled all of mine. easiest way, IMO. THe problem is that you have to do it fast, otherwise the rivet will loosen up and just spin in the hole. THAT sucks. __________________ 1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88 1967 Chevy C-10 stripper www.fcrperformance.com - wanna go...faster? talk to FCR.

05-03-2005, 01:15 AM	#20
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,342	After a little grinding down and 4 drillbits I got the pass side rivet off. Took 2 hrs but hey ROOKIE ALERT!!!!! Now I know how to go about the driver side. Thanks Guys for all the help and great advice. Ohh one more thing re the air chisel. I have used one onf those before and YES that would make short work out of a rivet. __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

05-03-2005, 01:19 AM	#21
Alexis Member since 2000 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Mountain View Ca / Mexico Posts: 7,879	2hrs!!!! Holy Moly Dude if you want you can use my air chisel. Its not a super powerful one but it gets the job done.

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