Rivets

Looking for a vendor to buy solid rivets from. I am looking for the rivet that is used to hold the shackle/spring bracket to the frame. I have found a few places on line and I only need a small quantity. Just trying to save some time on the phone. Steve

 

Big Flats Rivet Company.

http://www.bigflatsrivet.com/

 

Just curious on the benefit of installing a rivet instead of a bolt in it's place?

 

Rivets expand to the full diameter of the hole and prevent any lateral movement.

 

And it is a tighter fit from when the rivet cools down. Tighter than you can ever get with a wrench.

If you have a lathe, you can make your own.

 

But aren't the shackle hangers welded on the edges to to prevent the lateral movement? Or is that just my POs mod

 

Willys designed the hangers welded and riveted.

 

The frame I have, the hangers/brackets are wore out. Put new brackets on. To be honest, I am going to welding on the side of the brackets and put a rivet in and weld it in place up inside the frame. I just want the head of the rivet to show in the mounting bracket so it looks original. This jeep will be my "Wax Wheeler" not for off roading.

 

Actually one can get a bolt tightened down just as tightly as a rivet. While one can get rivets to clamp tightly it requires great skill, knowledge and experience to do so. Rivets are all but unknown in contemporary structural steel construction today, used only in the retrofit of historical structures. For an interesting discussion of rivet strength see: http://www.lcc.edu/manufacturing/we...er/September/Performance of Rivets - 2011.pdf

 

Clatham makes a good point - I don't see how you are going to get the clamping strength that you need when you weld the back side of the rivet. The original rivets were driven home with great force, at the time of assembly. If you want the appearance of a rivet, I suggest you check with your local Fastenal store and see if they have something that will work.

 

Good find. I drilled out my rivets instead of torching them out (as in my restoration guide).

 

Actually they make splined bolts just like that.

 

Without the proper air bucking tools your waisting your time strenth wise...........

 

Take a look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svLzflSQ5ro

 

One thing I noticed after picking rivets up off the floor after they where drilled and drove out. The holes in the frame and brackets did not line up. As the rivet was compressed it filled the holes that where not aligned. I would have to say after looking at this, the spring bracket was welded in place first then the rivet was installed

 

McMaster-Carr 97300A719, 3/8" dia x 5/8" long. About $7 for 20. Dome head.

 

"Actually they make splined bolts just like that."

When converting mine to a spring under, I used late 60's Chrysler rear spring, front hanger bolts. Splined and just the right size.