Front spring hanger on 98+

[doyouquaxu]

I'm in the process of replacing driver and passenger spring hangers on an 01. the problem is, the frame is 2 pieces and the rivets for the front hangers also connect the two pieces of the frame. I have the hangers off, but for the life of me can not get the rest of the rivet out of the frame. Whats the secret? I've done the same thing on 97-older trucks and they've been a breeze

 

[doyouquaxu]

This is what I'm dealing with, the 4 holes on the side of the frame is where the rivets are stuck on mine. Pic pulled off the web for reference:

 

[97RangerXLT]

A large punch and a 3 pound mini sledge. I found that was the easiest way to pop the rivets out of mine once the head was ground down.

if that does not work, drill them out.

AJ

 

[Snoranger]

 

[Andy D]

More generic advice . Which ever tools you use, make sure not to mushroom the rivet as you go.

Hit it harder ! Are you a man or a mouse? Squeak up ! Me and Charlie changing the tracks on his Cat D4 when I was about 12

 

[97RangerXLT]

Snoranger's tools should do the job quite nicely!

And as Andy said if you do not have access to shop air or the air chisel, hit it harder and don't mushroom the rivit.

AJ

 

[MountainMike]

When I did my hangers I used a cutoff to make and "x" in the head of the rivet, then used the are chisel to pound the head off and blast the rivets through the frame. I went and bought a proper long stroke one and it worked like a hot damn.

 

[Jraymer360]

have you tried drilling it out? don't know if you can get a drill in there.