Replace rivets?

Nhaz · Sep 2, 2009

Howdy. Last month I did some serious damage to the front end of my truck doing something silly. And I am 90% done in repairing it.

One of the things i appear to have damaged is the rivets holding the passenger side I beam pivot point. I am not sure what that particular part is called but its riveted to the engine cradle.

I have managed to loosen up the rivets so the mount isn't solid any more. Would it be a good idea at this time to remove the rivets completely and replace them with bolts? And if so what bolts since that looks like a pretty stressed part?

Beef52751 · Sep 2, 2009

Grind the rivets out and replace them with bolts

canyoncritter · Sep 3, 2009

grind out the rivits, then drill the holes for 1/2 harware, use grade 8.

1-1/4 lents will work if i rember right, measure then for yourself.

rember you want the shank, to support the brackets not threads of the bolt.

_Kyle_ · Sep 3, 2009

canyoncritter said:
grind out the rivits, then drill the holes for 1/2 harware, use grade 8.

1-1/4 lents will work if i rember right, measure then for yourself.

rember you want the shank, to support the brackets not threads of the bolt.

x3. Grind them out and replace them with real bolts.

4x4junkie · Sep 3, 2009

Yep, ½"-20 x 1¼" Grade 8 bolts with locknuts (nylock, or stover type nuts).

Nhaz · Sep 3, 2009

Thanks peps. That is next weekends project.

Dweano · Sep 3, 2009

And is it ever a project...the rivets gave me hell when lifting my 96. Good luck tho bud

Nhaz · Sep 4, 2009

From the sounds of it cutting them off with a grinder is a hard way to go. I am going to blow them out with a torch =>

Dweano · Sep 4, 2009

Yup i ground off the heads on both sides then drilled out the centers until they popped out...that was fun with my dull as hell drillbit. But once you get the hang of it it'll be fine. If yhou ever lift in the future it will be easier with the rivets already gone. :headbang:

railman · Sep 4, 2009

Nhaz said:
From the sounds of it cutting them off with a grinder is a hard way to go. I am going to blow them out with a torch =>

unless you are really good with a torch i wouldn't recommend it, you could gouge the bracket really easily, not to mention it is quite thin, or make the hole too big....

really is easy with a 4 1/2" angle grinder...just grind em' flush then they punch out really easy...especially if they are allready "loose"

l8r, John

Nhaz · Sep 4, 2009

I currently don't have any plans for a lift. My goal for this year is Fix what I broke. and maybe get a limited slip diff in the rear.

oh and a alignment better then my eyeball.

Sasquatch_Ryda · Sep 4, 2009

All I do at work when doing this is to peel the head of the rivet off with the torch, then go over them all with an air hammer to pop them out.

Nhaz · Sep 4, 2009

The rivets are already loose. Truck clunks on every bump and when I put it into gear. I am pretty sure they will come out really quick with the torch taking the heads off them.

Replace rivets?

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