Rivits are a pain in the A$$

[colindo94]

I just got my superlift but the rivits that connect the stock drop brackets are killing me. What are some suggestions for removing these.

 

[Burns]

torch them out. thats is what we had to do to put mine on.

 

[90ranajo]

Like Burns said either torch them out or grind and hammer them out. Those are about your only 2 options.

 

[dkkne]

Yep, I torched the head off mine then ground the remaining rivet smooth with the frame and used a punch to punch them out.Piece of cake.

If you do not have a torch you can get most of them with a small grinder. There are several that REQUIRE a torch though.

 

[JDraper]

...If you do not have a torch you can get most of them with a small grinder. There are several that REQUIRE a torch though.

I disagree. I got all mine out without a torch. We used both an impact chisel and an angle grinder. We started with the grinder, went to the chisel 'cause we thought it might be easier (it wasn't), and ended up going back to the grinder.

No matter how you do it, it's not a quick job. Take your time so you don't damage the frame.

 

[dkkne]

I disagree. I got all mine out without a torch. We used both an impact chisel and an angle grinder. We started with the grinder, went to the chisel 'cause we thought it might be easier (it wasn't), and ended up going back to the grinder.

No matter how you do it, it's not a quick job. Take your time so you don't damage the frame.

Yeah I suppose that would work too, never gave the air chisel a chance myself.. went right to the torch

 

[410Fortune]

I have done all three methods
The torch is good if you are good with a torch
the air chissel works allright, but it can ***** up the frame quite a bit trying to get a bite on the rivet

The grinder method works the best IMO, just cut the head off the rivet, get down flush to the frame and punch it through with a hammer and punch, it literally takes 3 minutes per rivet this method.
Punching the rivet through is ALOT easier if you take the weight off the bracket being removed (like both front tires off the ground supported by the frame not the suspension)

just my 02

 

[JDraper]

Yeah I suppose that would work too, never gave the air chisel a chance myself.. went right to the torch

Air chisel method SUCKED!! I tried it for 1 rivet and went back to the grinder. It was slow, noisy, and knocked more dirt down on me than I knew existed under the truck.

You can do the whole thing with a 4" angle grinder.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I cut the rivets off my work truck to change the RA bushings using an air die with a cut off wheel. It worked great, cut under the head of the rivet next to the bracket, then punch it through. It took around 15 minutes for one side. Easy.

 

[CodePoet]

I drilled them out, then used a chisel to knock the heads off. haven't gotten the rest of them out, was sick, then it got cold, now i'm sick again blah blah blah blah.

Took probably 10-15 minutes each...not fun

 

[410Fortune]

drill = SLOW
grinder = fast

 

[CodePoet]

TRUE, but many times I have to work at night..in a subdivision with houses way to close for my liking. I don't want to disturb anyone, may sound silly but HOA's can be a royal pain in the arse to a guy like me who is trying to build a rig in their garage.

And i have a friend in the club who damn near lost her eye when her angle grinder kicked on her, smacked her right in the face (and not the stationary plastic part...the spinny disk of doom part). Ever since that I've been alittle parinoid about using them in awkward positions.

I'm a wuss though LOL

 

[sn0border88]

grind em

 

[WhitEngineering]

Definately a die grinder. Grind head down flush then knock it out with an air hammer, takes almost no effort

 

[410Fortune]

I have been in your shoes hahaha I lived in Condos with no garages for many years and still kept the ol bii runnin

A drill is really tough to get the rivets though and you cant always get the room for a drill in front of them.

grinder = gloves and eye protection

 

[CodePoet]

You are absolutly correct. The rivits i've taken out so far are the spring bucket ones...alot of room. However, i'm getting ready to (today i hope) take the ra brackets/x-member out. That'd be fine for a drill too but my sliders are most likely gonna give me troubles getting the drill in there...may be forced to resort to the grinder.

 

[410Fortune]

once you go grinder you will never go back!
I bought my black and decker years ago just to do the lift when I first installed it, it has been one of my most used tools over the years, it gets more use then pretty much any other power tool I have

 

[CodePoet]

haha i love my makita, just scares me sometimes when working in odd positions...keep thinking about the spinny part flying towards a part of me that'd i'e prefer to keep intact lol.

 

[tdavis]

Get the right grinding wheel for the grinder; look for the thin cutoff wheels. Then cut an 'X' in the rivet head, and you can then easily pop the head off, and then punch out the rivet.

 

[CodePoet]

Good tip thanks!

I'm gonna go try it!