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Smokeem 12-08-2017 12:06 AM

Crossmember rivet removal help
 
I’ve been trying to remove my trailing arm Crossmember to flip the mounts and weld pipe for exhaust to pass through. I’ve got all the bottom rivets removed and the front of the top 2 removed and the heads knocked off the back 2. I’ve been tried to drill the back 2 rivets butvthe bit keeps wanting to walk. I can’t get my grinder in to flatten the knocked rivet down. Anybody have any suggestions that might help me get these back 2 out?
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71cheyennesuperlongb 12-08-2017 12:18 AM

Re: Crossmember river removal help
 
Try putting your flapper wheel or grinding disc on upside down. Sometimes that will help you get in to a tite spot. If not break out the air chisel to cut the head of the rivet off.Last resort CUTTING TORCH!

Smokeem 12-08-2017 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71cheyennesuperlongb (Post 8099382)
Try putting your flapper wheel or grinding disc on upside down. Sometimes that will help you get in to a tite spot. If not break out the air chisel to cut the head of the rivet off.Last resort CUTTING TORCH!

I’ve got the heads off but it’s not flat enough to get the drill bit to start. I will see if I can put the disc on upside down to see if I can get in to flatten it out
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clay68c10 12-08-2017 09:23 AM

Re: Crossmember river removal help
 
Use a center punch to dent the center of the rivet where you want to drill. Use a small bit to start, then work your way larger till it’s drilled out.

Spf79 12-08-2017 11:45 AM

Re: Crossmember river removal help
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by clay68c10 (Post 8099500)
Use a center punch to dent the center of the rivet where you want to drill. Use a small bit to start, then work your way larger till it’s drilled out.

I did the same, and had no problems.

cornerstone 05-06-2018 11:36 PM

Re: Crossmember rivet removal help
 
2 Attachment(s)
Thought I would add another step to making crossmember removal easier for the nextt guy who searches this. I found it difficult to punch out the rivets that were in the lower portion of the inner frame rail. The upper rail was in the way to get a straight shot with the punch. It’s really simple if you cut the top part of the crossmember like so. This is assuming you will not want to save or reuse/sell the factory one, of course.

demian5 05-07-2018 11:28 AM

Re: Crossmember rivet removal help
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cornerstone (Post 8255941)
Thought I would add another step to making crossmember removal easier for the nextt guy who searches this. I found it difficult to punch out the rivets that were in the lower portion of the inner frame rail. The upper rail was in the way to get a straight shot with the punch. It’s really simple if you cut the top part of the crossmember like so. This is assuming you will not want to save or reuse/sell the factory one, of course.

"I’ve been trying to remove my trailing arm Crossmember to flip the mounts and weld pipe for exhaust to pass through."

gmills 05-16-2018 03:29 PM

Re: Crossmember rivet removal help
 
I have used a rosebud to heat them up and then an air hammer to knock the heads off. It was up on a lift which makes it much a
easier than on the ground.

adricar1 05-16-2018 05:24 PM

Re: Crossmember rivet removal help
 
An air chisel made short work of mine

Jason Banks 05-17-2018 10:20 AM

Re: Crossmember rivet removal help
 
Make sure your air chisel is sharp! Grind it or sand it if needed. It makes a huge difference


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