Roller track rivets
 

Am trying to install new roller tracks for the front brakes on my '30 coupe. Having read all the advice here I gave it a shot.

Used an acetylene torch to heat the end of the rivet and went at with an air hammer.The rivet starts to mushroom but doesn't go far enough to tighten on the roller track. I beat on it until the little tool that comes with the kit started to deform.

I'm wondering if the "peened" end of the rivet is too long. Does anyone have the dimensions of the rivet used on the roller track?

Thanks,

Terry

Re: Roller track rivets
 

They should just be held on by a cotter through the pin that goes though rollers. mine were rusted on tight on my '30. A little PB Blaster and a punch and hammer got the roller pin out.

Re: Roller track rivets
 

1 1/2 times dia of rivet on the tail before setting(for aluminum rivets in aircraft) you really need a rivet gun so you can start out slowly hit the rivet then finish harder. I have never installed new steel rivets, only tightened up ones in my frame.

Re: Roller track rivets
 

Missed the track part...my bad!!

Re: Roller track rivets
 

Its been awhile but I placed the tool in a vise inserted the rivet brake spring holder though the track and backing plate heated the back side and a couple of whacks it was done and tight but I had the backing plates off so it was easy .

Re: Roller track rivets
 

Maybe I am reading this wrong, the riveted side is on the outside? With the bucking tool in the vice you should be able to rivet by hand with peening hammer no heat. The backing plates would need to be off as there is not enough mass to them to absorb the blow from the hammer without deflecting and no way to really hold the bucking tool by hand anyway.

Re: Roller track rivets
 

Terry,
Place tool (small pipe) in a vice. Secure roller track to backing plate with one 1⁄4" x 1⁄2" bolt and nut. Place a rivet with the small head down into the tool located in the vice. The purpose of this tool is to prevent you from damaging the small head of the rivet when upsetting the other end. Place the backing plate over the rivet located in the tool so the end of the rivet passes through the track and backing plate. Heat the rivet red hot, then hammer the outer edge of the red hot rivet in a circular direction until the rivet is tight to the backing plate. Remove the temporary 1⁄4" bolt and repeat the rivet operation.You can also use a rivet head forming tool in an air hammer. ....Tool supplied by Brattons or other suppliers.

Re: Roller track rivets
 

My bad, wrong kind of rivet! Maybe call supplier for proper length.

Re: Roller track rivets
 

The rivet/pin also holds the springs so has to be the one shown in the photo. But you got that. :) When you put the rivet tool in the vice put something under it to support it, don't just rely on the vice to hold it in place.

Re: Roller track rivets
 

Best to use a rivet gun or even a hammer.

Re: Roller track rivets
 

General rivet info can be found here:
http://bigflatsrivet.com/index.html
under "Instructions for installing rivets" which is a PDF (has a section on sizing) and "Catalog Notes".

Re: Roller track rivets
 

Because the "tool" that comes with the kit is soft, it deforms and typically sticks on the rivet, I drilled a 1/4 inch hole in the end of a used pedal shaft. Then I cut the length to rest on the bottom of the vice while clamped in the jaws. To prevent mushrooming like the supplied tool, I case hardened it with Cherry Red.