Crossmember rivet removal help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Smokeem · 12-08-2017, 12:06 AM

I’ve been trying to remove my trailing arm Crossmember to flip the mounts and weld pipe for exhaust to pass through. I’ve got all the bottom rivets removed and the front of the top 2 removed and the heads knocked off the back 2. I’ve been tried to drill the back 2 rivets butvthe bit keeps wanting to walk. I can’t get my grinder in to flatten the knocked rivet down. Anybody have any suggestions that might help me get these back 2 out?
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71cheyennesuperlongb · 12-08-2017, 12:18 AM

Try putting your flapper wheel or grinding disc on upside down. Sometimes that will help you get in to a tite spot. If not break out the air chisel to cut the head of the rivet off.Last resort CUTTING TORCH!

Smokeem · 12-08-2017, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71cheyennesuperlongb

Try putting your flapper wheel or grinding disc on upside down. Sometimes that will help you get in to a tite spot. If not break out the air chisel to cut the head of the rivet off.Last resort CUTTING TORCH!

I’ve got the heads off but it’s not flat enough to get the drill bit to start. I will see if I can put the disc on upside down to see if I can get in to flatten it out
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**clay68c10** · 12-08-2017, 09:23 AM

Use a center punch to dent the center of the rivet where you want to drill. Use a small bit to start, then work your way larger till it’s drilled out.

Spf79 · 12-08-2017, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clay68c10

Use a center punch to dent the center of the rivet where you want to drill. Use a small bit to start, then work your way larger till it’s drilled out.

I did the same, and had no problems.

cornerstone · 05-06-2018, 11:36 PM

Thought I would add another step to making crossmember removal easier for the nextt guy who searches this. I found it difficult to punch out the rivets that were in the lower portion of the inner frame rail. The upper rail was in the way to get a straight shot with the punch. It’s really simple if you cut the top part of the crossmember like so. This is assuming you will not want to save or reuse/sell the factory one, of course.

demian5 · 05-07-2018, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornerstone

Thought I would add another step to making crossmember removal easier for the nextt guy who searches this. I found it difficult to punch out the rivets that were in the lower portion of the inner frame rail. The upper rail was in the way to get a straight shot with the punch. It’s really simple if you cut the top part of the crossmember like so. This is assuming you will not want to save or reuse/sell the factory one, of course.

"I’ve been trying to remove my trailing arm Crossmember to flip the mounts and weld pipe for exhaust to pass through."

gmills · 05-16-2018, 03:29 PM

I have used a rosebud to heat them up and then an air hammer to knock the heads off. It was up on a lift which makes it much a
easier than on the ground.

adricar1 · 05-16-2018, 05:24 PM

An air chisel made short work of mine

**Jason Banks** · 05-17-2018, 10:20 AM

Make sure your air chisel is sharp! Grind it or sand it if needed. It makes a huge difference

12-08-2017, 12:06 AM	#1
Smokeem Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Burley Idaho Posts: 45	Crossmember rivet removal help I’ve been trying to remove my trailing arm Crossmember to flip the mounts and weld pipe for exhaust to pass through. I’ve got all the bottom rivets removed and the front of the top 2 removed and the heads knocked off the back 2. I’ve been tried to drill the back 2 rivets butvthe bit keeps wanting to walk. I can’t get my grinder in to flatten the knocked rivet down. Anybody have any suggestions that might help me get these back 2 out? Posted via Mobile Device Last edited by LockDoc; 12-08-2017 at 11:48 AM.

12-08-2017, 12:18 AM	#2
71cheyennesuperlongb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alcoa;Tn Posts: 208	Re: Crossmember river removal help Try putting your flapper wheel or grinding disc on upside down. Sometimes that will help you get in to a tite spot. If not break out the air chisel to cut the head of the rivet off.Last resort CUTTING TORCH! __________________ '71 Cheyenne Super LWB - Second Owner in 39 Years! '70 CST/10 SWB - Soon to be Daughter's truck when finished

12-08-2017, 09:23 AM	#4
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,988	Re: Crossmember river removal help Use a center punch to dent the center of the rivet where you want to drill. Use a small bit to start, then work your way larger till it’s drilled out. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

05-06-2018, 11:36 PM	#6
cornerstone Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Azle,Texas Posts: 2,248	Re: Crossmember rivet removal help Thought I would add another step to making crossmember removal easier for the nextt guy who searches this. I found it difficult to punch out the rivets that were in the lower portion of the inner frame rail. The upper rail was in the way to get a straight shot with the punch. It’s really simple if you cut the top part of the crossmember like so. This is assuming you will not want to save or reuse/sell the factory one, of course. Attached Images

05-16-2018, 03:29 PM	#8
gmills Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: El Campo, Tx Posts: 13	Re: Crossmember rivet removal help I have used a rosebud to heat them up and then an air hammer to knock the heads off. It was up on a lift which makes it much a easier than on the ground.

05-16-2018, 05:24 PM	#9
adricar1 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: United kingdom Posts: 127	Re: Crossmember rivet removal help An air chisel made short work of mine __________________ GMC K1500 1971 350 cu in th350 4wd Bondo Bob c 10 1971 stepside th 350 c10 1970 350 cu in manual air con stepside.

05-17-2018, 10:20 AM	#10
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,623	Re: Crossmember rivet removal help Make sure your air chisel is sharp! Grind it or sand it if needed. It makes a huge difference



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