Cold rivets

[ApopkaFL]

What is the best method of removing the COLD RIVETS from the frame? I am trying to remove the front springs and these are very hard to remove.

 

[DaveP]

What is the best method of removing the COLD RIVETS from the frame? I am trying to remove the front springs and these are very hard to remove.

best luck I had was torching most of the head off then grinding the rest down flat. then using a punch that is just a little smaller diameter than the rivet and the biggest hammer you can swing and give it heck.

 

[WillWagner]

Air Arc, Torch, die grinder with a cut off wheel.

 

[wreckerman893]

Use a thin cutting disc in a large angle to lop off the heads......hit the rest of the riviet with a blast of cold air from something that will super cool it........tap it out with a punch with a BFH.

 

[ApopkaFL]

Buddy just called me and told me if I heat them, them pour some cold water on them right after I heat it. They should come out easier.

 

[Jones]

This will make removing them a lot easier. Shear off the head on one side with your tool of choice; cold chisel, 4" angle grinder w/ .040" "cut-off disc, torch if you're good enough to keep from gouging the frame.
Once the head is removed, center punch the rivet shank and drill out the center but DON"T go all the way through-- stop some where just under the rivet head you've left. Drill the rivet shank out in stages until you're just about at the diameter of the shank. Doing it in stages does two things; Helps you to stay on center and keeps you from drilling into the frame, turning the hole into a slot.
Drilling out the shank weakens the rivet by removing it's solid body (and inner strength) and allows it to collapse, releasing it's grip on the hole.
Put a pin punch into the drilled hole and knock out with a hammer.
That rivet you couldn't budge earlier when it was solid will now tap out quite easily doing it this way.

 

[usmctopgun]

Air carbon arc, torch, and air hammer.

 

[lacoda56]

Jones Has it figured out. When rivets are installed properly, they expand in the hole to make a pressure fit to the point that a BFH will just wear you out. By drilling or cutting with a torch, the rivet will lose its grip and be easily punched out. As stated, be carefull not to make a slot in the parent metal.

 

[topo]

Jones method works real easy . rivets holes are not very smooth most of them look punched in the frame and not drilled . the rivet fills the uneven space

 

[ApopkaFL]

This will make removing them a lot easier. Shear off the head on one side with your tool of choice; cold chisel, 4" angle grinder w/ .040" "cut-off disc, torch if you're good enough to keep from gouging the frame.
Once the head is removed, center punch the rivet shank and drill out the center but DON"T go all the way through-- stop some where just under the rivet head you've left. Drill the rivet shank out in stages until you're just about at the diameter of the shank. Doing it in stages does two things; Helps you to stay on center and keeps you from drilling into the frame, turning the hole into a slot.
Drilling out the shank weakens the rivet by removing it's solid body (and inner strength) and allows it to collapse, releasing it's grip on the hole.
Put a pin punch into the drilled hole and knock out with a hammer.
That rivet you couldn't budge earlier when it was solid will now tap out quite easily doing it this way.

thanks

Rodman

 

[Recovry4x4]

It's amazing how much easier they pop out once drilled a bit. When I do them I go through and knock off all the heads then go back and drill. Last step with with the air hammer. Makes short order of it.

 

[m-35tom]

jones has it. best and easiest way.

tom

 

[ApopkaFL]

easiest way.

tom

Well I removed the front springs today and their was nothing easy about it. They were a pin my my A$$ to remove.

 

[HanksDeuce]

Man that looks like a lot of work!

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCOGnHNjt4U&feature=related[/media]

You ever seen exploding rivets?

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUEbePVyS3c&NR=1[/media]

 

[JasonS]

It is actually really easy to use a torch to cut off the heads and not gouge the frame. Heat the heads up and use just little bit of air to blow the head off. Let it cool and pound the remainder it out.

 

[rosco]

Jones was close, but not the best/easiest. Cut the head off first - then with a cutting torch, blow a hole through the center. Use a tip that is big enough so that its done fast and you don't heat the frame much. It doesn,t have to be a very big hole. Yes, the hole weakens the rivet, as such, but the heat with the torch tries to make the rivet expand inside the hole, but it can't because it is restrained by the surrounding frame - so it expands into itself - the hole. Then most important - let it cool. THEN use your BFH and the hammer. They will come out easy as pie.

You guys that think a kitchen hammer is OK - its not. you will do more dammage and cause the rivet to swell. Use at least a 5# hammer. You should only have to hit it once, then just a tap, to drop it out! If it takes more then two hits - go back to rule one, and get the BFH.

 

[ODdave]

A GOOD air chisle works great, rivets are soft and peal pretty easy.

 

[juddspaintballs]

I ended up grinding the heads off with an angle grinder on almost all of mine. For the first 20 or rivets I popped out, I used a pickle fork and BFH to drive them out (no drilling). For the rest, I drilled and inserted a punch. It worked great!