Removing frame rivets

[mbalbritton]

Any better ideas on removing frame rivets that inside the lead spring hangers?

Freakin wore myself out on two of them for the front shackle hangers with a sawzall. Now I have four more on the rear and I can't get a grinding disc in there.

 

[maulcruiser]

Torch with a combination of a hammer and punch, or an air hammer. Get them red hot then drive them through.

 

[Mac5005]

I cut head off with thin wheel on grinder, then use either air hammer or big hammer and punch.

My dad has some success with center punch, and then drill out the center to relieve stress, then cut off and punch through

 

[moldman05]

I will add after drilling thru head drive a chisel under head and it will pop off

 

[mbalbritton]

Wish I had a torch. That's how I've done it before.

Can't get my grinder inside the spring hanger.

If I can get a center punch to leave a dimple, I like the drill idea.

 

[NC-V]

Easiest way I have found by far is use a cutoff wheel to cut a cross or x into the head then a good air hammer will knock the head off push the rivet out. Takes about 3 minutes per rivet.

Edit: Just saw you couldn't get grinder in there. Torch would be nice.

 

[rockcity]

Hot wrench is about the easiest. Almost worth the expense of purchasing one just for the first few you do.

 

[YotaOnRocks]

If you can't get it you can borrow my torch

 

[6BangBronk]

I've done a many but for restoration purposes so looks matter. Hot wrench isn't pretty enough. I grind all the heads off flush with front face of hanger. Then use wedges in between the 2 pieces starting with small wedges like a flathead. Work it around til the hanger pops off. Then grind the rivots down to the frame and use a punch to knock them on through.

This will result in perfection almost every time as long as you take your time with the grinder.

 

[justjeepin86]

I always used a rivet cutter on my air hammer to take the head off. Then drove them out with the air hammer also.

 

[mbalbritton]

I always used a rivet cutter on my air hammer to take the head off. Then drove them out with the air hammer also.

they make a rivet cutter for the Air hammer? that's the ticket I'm looking for. Granted with my Pancake compressor it could take a while.

 

[justjeepin86]

they make a rivet cutter for the Air hammer? that's the ticket I'm looking for. Granted with my Pancake compressor it could take a while.

I can't tell you that's what it's called, but that's what I call it. @snappy , I know you guys have a air hammer chisel for rivets. It has a flat side to ride on the frame and you push it at an angle instead of straight. I used one a ton when I worked at 4wp in Charlotte. You have to have an air hammer that has balls though. I don't own one, I just used my buddy's a lot.