The Ford Barn

roblesterjr04 · 05-19-2015, 10:41 AM

I need to replace my running board supports as they are pretty foul.

Anybody have any simple solutions for removing the rivets? We tried to pop the rivets with an air hammer already and either our hammer is weak, or these things are too strong for it.

Hoping for one of the magic solutions the more experienced people have

Rowdy · 05-19-2015, 10:57 AM

Use a 1/4" drill bit and drill the depth of the head and then use a 1/4" pin punch and remove the head and then punch out the shank and the bucked end of the rivet. This is and for the most part has always been the best way to remove rivets. Rod

wrndln · 05-19-2015, 11:06 AM

I have removed and replace two sets of runningboard brackets. I drill out the rivets. The rivets aren't made of real hard material. I center punch the head and then drill with a small drill bit, maybe 1/8" first about half way through. You can angle the drill, you can to get the hole perfectly centered in the rivet. Then I drill the hole larger with a 1/4" drill bit, again about half way or slightly more through the rivet. You want to leave some of the rivet undrilled so you can use a punch to knock it out. Sometime I can drive the rivet out with a punch and large hammer with a 1/4" hole. If it wont budge, drill the rivet hole to 9/32". The rivets will come out easy with that size hole. The rivets are 5/16" so you don't want to drill with a 5/16" or it might enlarge the hole if the hole is slightly off center. I have seen too many knucklehead people try to use a grinder to grind off the rivet heads. Usually it doesn't turn out well, as it messes up the brackets or frame. I have some pictures of replacing the runningboard brackets (the riveting part) if you need to see how I did it, send me a PM with your email address.
Rusty Nelson

pooch · 05-19-2015, 01:48 PM

You are not saving the brackets, so grind the rivet head off and punch them out.

ericr · 05-19-2015, 04:43 PM

Rob I am not sure if your body is still on the frame or not. I had a body on the frame and did it with a chisel bit on an air hammer. I had to sharpen it constantly but it did shear the rivets off, working on the inside of the frame rail. Rather tedious and very noisy.

Mike V. Florida · 05-19-2015, 05:29 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy

Use a 1/4" drill bit and drill the depth of the head and then use a 1/4" pin punch and remove the head and then punch out the shank and the bucked end of the rivet. This is and for the most part has always been the best way to remove rivets. Rod

My Son used this method for his repairs.

05-19-2015, 10:41 AM	#1
roblesterjr04 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hanover, PA Posts: 130	Running board support removal I need to replace my running board supports as they are pretty foul. Anybody have any simple solutions for removing the rivets? We tried to pop the rivets with an air hammer already and either our hammer is weak, or these things are too strong for it. Hoping for one of the magic solutions the more experienced people have __________________ -Rob 1929 Fordor Leatherback

05-19-2015, 10:57 AM	#2
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Running board support removal Use a 1/4" drill bit and drill the depth of the head and then use a 1/4" pin punch and remove the head and then punch out the shank and the bucked end of the rivet. This is and for the most part has always been the best way to remove rivets. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

05-19-2015, 11:06 AM	#3
wrndln Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lakeville, MN Posts: 5,165	Re: Running board support removal I have removed and replace two sets of runningboard brackets. I drill out the rivets. The rivets aren't made of real hard material. I center punch the head and then drill with a small drill bit, maybe 1/8" first about half way through. You can angle the drill, you can to get the hole perfectly centered in the rivet. Then I drill the hole larger with a 1/4" drill bit, again about half way or slightly more through the rivet. You want to leave some of the rivet undrilled so you can use a punch to knock it out. Sometime I can drive the rivet out with a punch and large hammer with a 1/4" hole. If it wont budge, drill the rivet hole to 9/32". The rivets will come out easy with that size hole. The rivets are 5/16" so you don't want to drill with a 5/16" or it might enlarge the hole if the hole is slightly off center. I have seen too many knucklehead people try to use a grinder to grind off the rivet heads. Usually it doesn't turn out well, as it messes up the brackets or frame. I have some pictures of replacing the runningboard brackets (the riveting part) if you need to see how I did it, send me a PM with your email address. Rusty Nelson

05-19-2015, 01:48 PM	#4
pooch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Coast NSW Australia Posts: 2,596	Re: Running board support removal You are not saving the brackets, so grind the rivet head off and punch them out.

05-19-2015, 04:43 PM	#5
ericr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,542	Re: Running board support removal Rob I am not sure if your body is still on the frame or not. I had a body on the frame and did it with a chisel bit on an air hammer. I had to sharpen it constantly but it did shear the rivets off, working on the inside of the frame rail. Rather tedious and very noisy.