Removing frame rivets?

[Quasi242]

For those of you who have flipped your shackle hangers, what is the secret to removing the rivets? I have spent a few hours grinding the heads off one side. I thought that with the head removed, I would be able to drive them out with a 5# sledge. Unfortunately they will not budge. I would prefer to not drill them out as I want to keep the original frame hole as close to stock as possible. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[prerunin554]

cut an X in the head and use a chizzel (sp?) to hit the cut up pieces off. You really should bore those holes out to fit a 1/2 in bolt though.

 

[RaceRanger97]

cut an X in the head and use a chizzel (sp?) to hit the cut up pieces off. You really should bore those holes out to fit a 1/2 in bolt though.

x2..i cut an x then use an air hammer

 

[MikeWild]

I used an air chisle on mine. Takes a while but they eventually come out.

 

[ForOffRoadDriving]

ive done the x trick with the air hammer and chisel and it works, but my favorite is to torch the head off then use a punch in the air hammer and drive them out that way. ive got a steadier hand with the torch than most though.

 

[turboranger91]

i used an air chizzle and an air hammer.

 

[Aaronk1]

I just grind the head mostly all the way off and air hammer with a punch to push it through.

 

[Quasi242]

Thanks, for the input. I have already removed the heads with a grinder. It sounds like I need to get my hands on an air hammer with a punch.

 

[kozak]

I usually grind the rivet head flush. Takes a minute or two.
I have never came across any rivets where a good punch and a good hammer wouldn't do the job.
If its in a hard to reach spot an air hammer will be your best friend like others have said. But I have gotten away with out one.

 

[Lignite]

I just ground mine off a few days ago too. Make sure you have them ground completely down (you can see the circle in the frame). Then make good solid hits. The first one took me 5 minutes, the last one took me 5 hits. For my own hammering I find holding the punch with a vice grip allows me to focus on hitting instead of being hit (meaning I get a better wallop on it).

 

[kozak]

For my own hammering I find holding the punch with a vice grip allows me to focus on hitting instead of being hit (meaning I get a better wallop on it).

I second that. Really sucks to smack yourself.

 

[PRERUNR]

I paid a guy to do it for me, $50 and they were done and bolts were in...

 

[RaceRanger97]

I paid a guy to do it for me, $50 and they were done and bolts were in...

thats soo cheap...no way in hell would I do that for $50

 

[Quasi242]

^^X2

Grinding the rivet heads down took me approximately 15-20 min. per head!

 

[kozak]

^^X2

Grinding the rivet heads down took me approximately 15-20 min. per head!

Were you using a grinding disc meant for steel ?