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rear shackle flip Q's

G-Force8

G-Force8

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I'm using ORD's 4" rear shackle flip on the '91 Burb. As far as cutting the factory rivets goes has anyone been able to do it without dropping the gas tank? I'm lazy and don't want to drop it:wink1:

What is the ideal tool to do it? angle grinder? high speed cutting wheel?
 
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I just did mine with out dropping my tank i used a really good snap-on air hammer and cut the rivits off and then I used a snap-on flex magnet its basically a copper wire that you can shap with a strong magnet on the end and I went over the top of the fram with the bolt and lock nut to hold it when I tightened the nut.
 
I suppose you could cut them off without dropping the tank. But how do you plan to get your hands up there to tighten the new bolts? Although it's been a few years since I did mine, there may be more clearance than I rember.

Use whatever tools you need to cut them out. I used a torch (not recomended if you plan on leaving the tank in). You can chiesel the heads off then punch it out. Drill them out. Cheisel the head off then drill. Grinding an "x" into the head will make chieseling it off easier. Just be carefull to watch where the sparks are going.
 
You could fight dropping the tank but it will take you alot longer than just dropping the tank and having complete access.
 
toomany said:
I suppose you could cut them off without dropping the tank. But how do you plan to get your hands up there to tighten the new bolts? Although it's been a few years since I did mine, there may be more clearance than I rember.

Use whatever tools you need to cut them out. I used a torch (not recomended if you plan on leaving the tank in). You can chiesel the heads off then punch it out. Drill them out. Cheisel the head off then drill. Grinding an "x" into the head will make chieseling it off easier. Just be carefull to watch where the sparks are going.
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I've got a Harbor Freight 4.5" angle grinder I could use. I dont' have access to any air tools or a torch. Its gonna have to be electric with a bunch of extension cords

I guess I should just empty the tank and drop it. I like my eyebrows where they are.
 
the quickest method Ive found for removing rivets was a torch

the next best thing if a torch isnt available, and it may be just as fast but Ive never timed, is an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and a punch.

Ive removed so many rivets of my truck by cuting the heads off with the grinder and then knocking them out with a punch that I can do them in just a couple minutes.

I would remove the tank though. Ive got a truck so the tank wasnt in the way but it looks like it would be very tight on a a blazer with the tank in. and I dont think I would enjoy catching my fuel tank on fire. that kind of fire could easily be avoided, especially if your tank is empty:D
 
Yeah, drop the tank, then grind the rivet head with your grinder until you see the circle outline of the rivet's shank, then smack the shank with an appropriately sized punch and hammer until they knock out. It will take a while to do the first two or three, but then you'll get the hang of it.
 
I used a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder, then a punch and hammer. It took about 15min. for me to remove the front shock mounts(4 rivets). It was the first time using an angle grinder. First time removing anything "permanent" on my truck. It was quite easy.

Next time, I will use hearing protection, along with goggles!!
 
What?:haha: All I hear is high pitched screaming! It's almost as bad as my AR15 next to a concrete wall with no protection for the ears. I'll NEVER do that again!:doah:
 
big dan said:
the quickest method Ive found for removing rivets was a torch

the next best thing if a torch isnt available, and it may be just as fast but Ive never timed, is an angle grinder with a cutoff wheel and a punch.

Ive removed so many rivets of my truck by cuting the heads off with the grinder and then knocking them out with a punch that I can do them in just a couple minutes.

I would remove the tank though. Ive got a truck so the tank wasnt in the way but it looks like it would be very tight on a a blazer with the tank in. and I dont think I would enjoy catching my fuel tank on fire. that kind of fire could easily be avoided, especially if your tank is empty:D
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andyblack said:
Yeah, drop the tank, then grind the rivet head with your grinder until you see the circle outline of the rivet's shank, then smack the shank with an appropriately sized punch and hammer until they knock out. It will take a while to do the first two or three, but then you'll get the hang of it.
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udy2554 said:
I used a cutoff wheel on an angle grinder, then a punch and hammer. It took about 15min. for me to remove the front shock mounts(4 rivets). It was the first time using an angle grinder. First time removing anything "permanent" on my truck. It was quite easy.

Next time, I will use hearing protection, along with goggles!!
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Thanks for the tips guys. I should have everything I need

:waytogo:
 
I get the head glowing hot with a tourch then hit it with an air chisel. Easy and quick.
 
I ran across a shackle flip how-to a while back, then laptop went dead and didn't save to faves. Does anyone know who had that or where it might be. I searched for "shackle flip" but I can't seem to find it. Maybe I'm just overlooking it. Until then, I'll be searching for it still.
 
Lance Hammon said:
I ran across a shackle flip how-to a while back, then laptop went dead and didn't save to faves. Does anyone know who had that or where it might be. I searched for "shackle flip" but I can't seem to find it. Maybe I'm just overlooking it. Until then, I'll be searching for it still.
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Go to the ck5 home page and look over on the left for the "technical articles" link. It shows how to do a flip using your exsisting hangers.
 
Best way I have found for removing any permanent rivet is cuting an 'X' in the head and hitting them with the air hammer(doesnt have to be the $300 Snap-On one either) just a $40 Ingersoll from lowes works fine...worked at a Dodge dealer during the Upper ball joint recall rush on Dakotas and Durangos...with this method we were knocking out both uppers in 30 mins(in the door and then back out) prob 5 min a side actually removing rivets and there are 3 per side...gonna need a decent compressor, $20 cut-off tool and the $40 air hammer ...hope this helps:waytogo:
 
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