how to knock out rivets?

[Jaguar5822]

What is the best way to knock out the rivets that hold the power window (the glass) to the metal bracket it is held on? Also, what size nuts and bolts should I use to replace them when I get the new bracket on. If someone wants to tell me exactly how they did it, that would be great too.

Thanks,
James

[zlexiss]

Generally I carefully drill out rivets. Pick a drill size a bit under the I.D of the hole, and drill through the center. You can then use some needlenose pliers to grab and twist out the remaining "shell" of the rivet.

Some like to use bigger drills, drill the head off, and push the rest of the rivet through the hole. I don't like this, because it's too easy to go into the material the rivet is pressed into.

-Jeff

[Jaguar5822]

I tried to drill them with my friend's dad's stuff, he is a mechanic for Delta Airlines, he said the rivets are probably steel, cause they wouldn't really drill, I sat there for about 10 minutes on one and hardly made a dent.

James

[Johnny Ray]

I usually use a size or two bigger drill bit and just drill the face of the rivit off.

Either way will work OK.

As far as screws and nuts, they are always supplied with the new window motors that I have bought.

:cool:

[Jaguar5822]

no, it's not a new window motor, it's the long bracket that the glass is actually held with, the part didn't come with the needed nuts and bolts.

James

[John D.]

Just grind the head off with a dremel or something (not sure how the big the rivets are) then knock out the rest.

[zlexiss]

Even steel shouldn't be too hard to drill through. I've had to machine titanium, tool steel, monel, and inconel before..

Get a fresh drill bit, dull ones are a safety hazard. If you want to make it even easier, get some tap fluid or other cutting fluid for lubrication, it'll help the cutting and keep things cooler, just a couple drops is all.

-Jeff

[navigatorbob]

When I replaced replaced the window regulators in my camaro, I used a punch and hammer to knock out the center of the rivet, then a drill the remove the rivet's "jacket" (I don't know to call it), and then a hammer and flat head screwdriver to knock off the head and anything else of the rivet that was left.

[Red V6 Raider]

assuming the window is no longer intact, drill the rivets out. It shouldn't take you too long. Just drill on the side where the ball is until you get it drilled far enough to where you can punch it through. I used a cinderblock and my foot and a handdrill(I don't have much tools). Didn't take too long.

If you're replacing the glass then I really hope you have a "big daddy" rivetor. That's the only thing that will rivet a 1/4 rivet, and that's what you need. They're only about 200 bucks to buy.

Otherwise you can do what I did and use 1/4 inch bolts and selflocking nut(the ghetto way).

Good luck. Lemme know if you need any help, I just replaced my window about 4 months ago. You save a lot of money doing this job yourself.(as long as you're not a dumbass and break your first widnow like me :( I watched 250 bones just shatter into pieces in my grass)

[Jaguar5822]

hey, Thanks for the help, my window is still good, just not the knob that guides it on the wertical rail. Is there a way I can get the window out of the door while it is still attached to the metal window holder?

James

[Quijeeboe]

Put your window into its up most position (i.e. closed if your door were shut) put a block of wood or whatever is convenient into the door to ensure the window can't accidentally come crashing down. With the window all the way up then simply use a high nice high-speed hand drill to drill out the rivets. Make sure you use a bit just slightly smaller in diameter than the rivet. This will work as I have done it myself, however it can be a bit of a pain in the A$$ and you will likely break at least 1 drill bit so do yourself a favor and go to home depot and pick up a few cheap drill bits ahead of time because there’s nothing worse than having to stop right in the middle of this with a non functioning window and making a hardware store run.