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Front Bumber Removal

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Jrobz23, Nov 18, 2017.

  1. Nov 18, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Messages:
    942
    What did you guys use on the rivets? I don’t have a real torch setup. I cut the tops off two, but even then, they are stubborn and not wanting to be driven out the other end. I’d like to reuse my front bumber too, so mangling that is not ideal.
     
  2. Nov 18, 2017
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    I haven't removed a riveted bumper on a Jeep in many years, but I think I ground the heads off and drove the remains though with a blunt punch.
    The nature of a rivet, when set, is that they expand in the hole, making a very tight fit.
    -Donny
     
  3. Nov 18, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
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    942
    Yeah, they are in there. I may need to drill a hole through it to remove some tension, and then pound them out.
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  4. Nov 18, 2017
    NCRenII

    NCRenII yellow fever

    Far Nor Cal
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2017
    Messages:
    431
    Center punch the rivet head and drill as close to center as you can with 1/8" high quality drill bit and lots of cutting fluid. Follow up with progressively larger bits with fluid.
    Make sure to clamp (c clamps are good) in place until you know they are all drilled out (or nearly so). Carefully pry off, or drill with next size bit until the wall of the rivet is thin enough to break away.
     
  5. Nov 18, 2017
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2002
    Messages:
    2,361
    Why is it that M38A1 bumpers are bolted on? Seems weird.
     
  6. Nov 18, 2017
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2014
    Messages:
    561
    This. I recently removed a riveted bell crank bracket this way, worked good.
     
  7. Nov 18, 2017
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    This is how I did it. Grind the head a lot further than you think - maybe even taking the slightest bit of the bumper as well. Drill hole (that bumper and rivet was hard for me - trashed a couple bits so use some cutting fluid) and then drive it out with a drift and bfh. Other method may work (and may even be better) - just how I did it.
     
  8. Nov 18, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
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    3,784
    Like mentioned above , Take a cut-off wheel and cut the head off and then drill a few progressively larger holes dead center , to release the tension , take a stout punch and heavy hammer and if you have a friend with you have him / her back up the rear with a 5 lb sludge hammer and out they come.
     
  9. Nov 19, 2017
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
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    Nov 12, 2009
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    1,381
    I drilled a 1/4 or bigger hole through the center, about 3/4 way though. Took a air chisel and popped the top off. Rivet metal is soft, works easy
     
  10. Nov 20, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
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    942
    So far, 2/8 have come out with cutting off the heads and using an air hammer punch to pop them out the other side. So far so good, just need to not be in a hurry when I buy cut off wheels (and buy the right kind).
     
  11. Nov 24, 2017
    Jrobz23

    Jrobz23 Member

    Northern, WI
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2016
    Messages:
    942
    Ok so I got a system down to remove the other six. I used a cutoff wheel to slice into the rivet heads. I then used a chisel bit in my air hammer and cut through the rest of the head, flush to the surface. Swapped in the punch bit and drove the remaining rivet stub out the other side.

    Bumper is mildly sliced and scuffed but otherwise in tact. Minimal bleeding and minimal swearing. A rare victory indeed *cheers*
     
    Bowbender and FinoCJ like this.
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