Best Rivet Removal technique

[modelageek]

This afternoon my hanger and shackle on my leaf spring rusted thru. I was the hanger is attached with 2 bolts and 2 rivets. The bolts came right off but the rivets I tried sawsall and inexpensive. Air hammer neither was working well I am going to get a grinding wheel for mt grinder. Any suggestions would be great. Thanx

 

[Flash Gordan]

I use a hand grinder to take the heads of the rivets off then drive them through with a punch and a BFH.

 

[modelageek]

Thanx for responding I have a dewault grinder what wheel should I get what size how many will I go thru a few I am going to the depot.

 

[4byRANGER]

just get a thick grinding wheel, the small cuters will only break or wear to fast.

one thick grinder will do the job, but its good to have extras

 

[Andres629]

just get a thick grinding wheel, the small cuters will only break or wear to fast.

one thick grinder will do the job, but its good to have extras

+1
1/4" thick grinding wheel will do the trick. While you're at it, get two. You'll need them later for other things anyway.

 

[CopyKat]

Cut an X into the head of the rivet then use the air chisel to remove the 4 pieces.

Fastest and cleanest way to do it. Plazma and torch are quick but messy.

 

[Doom's Day Custom]

Plazma and torch are quick but messy.

If your skillful with a torch or plasma it can be done clean and quickly or you can drill them out if you can reach them with a drill....

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

No offense bud but drilling out a rivet sucks!
The X method or grinding them flat and driving them thru are the best in my book.

 

[Colin]

i'd say drill as long as you use a good bit

 

[jsoluna]

I also recommend using the grinder and cutting wheel. You can make quick work of even these larger rivet heads. I used it to replace the front coil spring buckets and also to removed my rear radius arm-to-frame brackets. As long as you've got the room, the work great.

 

[modelageek]

thanks for the responses I don't have a plasma cutter and i am not sure how a torch would work. I will get a grinding wheel and try that x method i have a cheesy airhammer with a point chisel. i will see if that works......thanks again

 

[jsoluna]

Good luck man, let us know how it goes!

 

[Capt Jay]

A GOOD air hammer will take them off like butter. A cheesy air hammer will just make a lot of noise. I tried my air hammer when I did mine and all I did is get frustrated. I used my friends BIG air hammer and it took about 30 seconds a rivet. If you can't borrow a good hammer go with the "X" method with the grinder and drive it out with a punch and BFH. Good luck and wear goggles.

 

[modelageek]

Took me about an hour to hack the 2 rivets off. The bottom one i grinded right off and I used a cheesy airhammer punch and it popped off. the top rivet was harder to get to because the old hanger and shackle where all bent around it . i used a sawsall and airhammer to get that one off. No parts stores had the parts in stock so i ordered them from advanced and should have them tomorrow. I would suggest anyone with a truck like mine check your hanger and shackles at the rear of your rear leafssprings. my truck is

 

[modelageek]

SORRY GOOFED HERE IS THE REST is not rusted bad at all. and the one just rusted tru and the other shackle is about to rust trhu. I think i will keep the hanger on that side and just repalce the shackle. I looked up the parts for a 1992 2wd and a 2001 2wd and the parts where the same dorman 722-010 and dorman 722-001. you can order them online for less than stores. I paid $26 for the hanger and $28 for the shackle. I will post after i get them installed. but again I would suggest you go check yours. much easier and cheaper to do it as maintenance then as a rush repair
__________________