Stupid Rivets!

[bduke23]

Ok so I am still working on changing my RA bushings, got a lot done last night but got rained out so had to quit. I have so far ground three of the four rivets down to flush with the bracket, and removed all bolts expect for the ones holding the RA itself. But I am having diffculty removing the last rivet, I cannot reach it with my drill or my angle grinder. (it is the driver side one that is highest up). Any ideas on how to get that one out of there? I will be buying a punch and chisel set today to punch out those other ones, will a cold chisel be enough to take that head off?

It is really starting to annoy me

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Why remove the bracket? Are you installing extended radius arms? If not, I used a ratchet strap to pull the beam towards the front of the truck enough to get the R. arm out of the bracket. Don't forget to disconnect the drive-shaft, I don't know if there is enough play to leave it hooked up.
Richard

 

[BlackBII]

Yeah, if you're just replacing the bushings on the radius arms, you don't need to remove the bracket...

Unbolt the shock, sway bar and tie rod, and you will be able to pull the beam forward, pulling the radius arm out of the bracket.

But, I've found the easiest way to remove rivets is to cut an X in the head with a die grinder, then chisel or grind the head off, then punch it out the other side.

 

[bduke23]

I did lots of online reading and everyone said that the easiest way was to take the bracket off the radius arm, instead of disconnecting the suspension. At any rate, with all those rivets cut I now have no choice but to remove them and replace them.

 

[pillen140]

you wont get them with a regular hammer and chisel. rent a torch.... best tool ever!

 

[BlackBII]

you wont get them with a regular hammer and chisel. rent a torch.... best tool ever!

If you cut an X in the head first, it takes 1, maybe 2 blows from a hammer and chisel. (I use a 3lb sledge)

Maybe my arms are bigger than yours?

 

[bduke23]

What about a rotary tool and some cutting disks? One of the stores up here has one on sale.

 

[BlackBII]

What about a rotary tool and some cutting disks? One of the stores up here has one on sale.

Yep.

Something like these:

 

[bduke23]

I do not have access to air tools, nor can I afford any. Basically I'm working with the few tools I've been slowly buying throughout university, being a 14.4V drill, 4.5" angle grinder, and good wrenches and a good 1/2" socket set.
Edit: And by rotary tool, I meant something like a dremel

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Get the Dremel and a cold punch. Like BlackBII says, cut an x on the top of the rivet head [to the frame] and punch off the head of the rivet. It works, and it doesn't matter which angle you take for removing the rivet head; in, out, sideways, it's all good.
Richard
Edit; A reciprocating saw with a metal blade may also work.

 

[BlackBII]

You have a 4.5" angle grinder.

That's what I use. Just buy some cutting wheels for it.

I doubt a dremel would be powerful enough to be productive. Use the angle grinder

 

[bduke23]

Thats what I was using, but the problem is that I cannot reach this last rivet with it

 

[pillen140]

If you cut an X in the head first, it takes 1, maybe 2 blows from a hammer and chisel. (I use a 3lb sledge)

Maybe my arms are bigger than yours?

idk.... my bicepts are almost bigger than my wrists.... lol, jk.

he said he couldnt get anything he had in there to grind/cut them first.
good luck trying to get them out only a hammer and chisel without slits in the rivit head.

 

[bduke23]

Alright I will try the dremel first, then hammer and chisel. If that doesn't work, I guess I'll just replace what I have out with bolts and do it by pulling the suspension.

 

[crbnunit]

Next question is do you have access to a 1/2" drill. Seems like th eholes were a tad small to fit 1/2" bolts without drilling the holes first.