Removing Rivets

[biffdotorg]

So we have all had riveted parts that we needed to remove. Or we have put a rivet in wrong place that needed to be removed.

What is your favorite way to remove a rivet?

I have found that I can usually drill it out if I have access to the side of the rivet that does not have the left over stud in. In this case that I am working on now, I am removing that flap of aluminum from the rear of the tunnel under the snow flap. Mine has finally split in half to the point that I need to replace it.

I was just going to reinforce it with more aluminum, but it's too far gone. I have the new piece on order. After removing the bumper cover, bumper etc, I find that there are no less than 8 rivets to remove. Some put in from the inside, some from the outside. Not only that, my '07 Apex GT has the rear heat exchanger added on, so I have the potential of drilling right into it, if I pop through the rivet (which happens every time due to the nature of what I am trying to accomplish)

I went after a couple of the rivet heads with a grinder bit in my drill. But the RPMs are just not there. I am going to borrow an actual grinder or Moto-tool tonight and give it a shot. If I use a moto-tool, what sort of bit would be best for these rivets?

Thanks for any suggestions guys.

 

[maim]

if i cannot drill them safely, then i grind the heads off and use a punch to knock them out.

 

[yamahamm]

use a short drillbit or cut one down in length so it wont touch the heat exchanger.

 

[Timeline]

You don't need to drill right through. Use a bit slightly bigger then the 3/16"rivet. Just drill the fastening head off. It will usually spin off on your bit once you're through. Then as maim said hammer them out with a 3/16" punch.
Just make sure the multi grip doesn't grab the bottom piece as you're hammering. Usually one swift hit with the hammer will do it.

I can't remember how close they are to the heat exchanger but you will need enough room on the back side to fit the length of the drilled off rivet to let it fall out.

I'll need to do mine this off season too. It tore almost half way across this season. Hoping it makes a few more weekends as we're still riding in my area. I keep looking back to see if it's flapping or I need to turn around and pick something up.

 

[FAMILYMAN]

Punch the mandrel out first with a small punch because it's as hard as a drill bit and will destroy it quickly. Then the rest drills out nicely.

If the head spins, punch it in again to lock it or just grind it off.

Parted out 4 rx1's btw.

 

[Vectornut]

Punch the mandrel out first with a small punch because it's as hard as a drill bit and will destroy it quickly. Then the rest drills out nicely.

If the head spins, punch it in again to lock it or just grind it off.

Parted out 4 rx1's btw.

 

[biffdotorg]

Thanks guys, that all makes good sense.

I am going to have to drill these things as I have done in the past. There is just too much material to grind off.

Getting the center pin (mandrel) out is important for sure.

Thank you!

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Just like what has been mentioned a larger bit will spin the head off after knocking out the center pin. For the future if ever drilling a hole or what ever and you are worried about going to far and hitting something behind where you are drilling, place a deep, or shallow, socket over the drill bit for a built in drill stop

 

[biffdotorg]

That is a great idea as I had no idea how I would find a short bit, or be able to shorten it.

TY

 

[biffdotorg]

You don't need to drill right through. Use a bit slightly bigger then the 3/16"rivet. Just drill the fastening head off. It will usually spin off on your bit once you're through. Then as maim said hammer them out with a 3/16" punch.
Just make sure the multi grip doesn't grab the bottom piece as you're hammering. Usually one swift hit with the hammer will do it.

I can't remember how close they are to the heat exchanger but you will need enough room on the back side to fit the length of the drilled off rivet to let it fall out.

I'll need to do mine this off season too. It tore almost half way across this season. Hoping it makes a few more weekends as we're still riding in my area. I keep looking back to see if it's flapping or I need to turn around and pick something up.

That is exactly what I did, and it worked great. Once the center was punched out, a bigger bit spun the heads off those rivets with no issue or damage to the metal. And no where near the exchanger.

Of course, the first four that I ground off had to be taken out with a hacksaw. Good thing I only ground off the edge ones, so I could get a blade in there. All is good, and my new flap stopper piece should be on my doorstep today to be riveted on tonight.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Mileage Quest]

We are about to do the same thing on our 07' apex

Thanks for the thread

 

[stomper]

all of the above are great ideas or you could just simply put a thin peice of metal in behind the rivit you are drilling out to protect the heat exchanger, if it is accessable