TM 9-2320-387-24-2
1 33-7. RIVET REPLACEMENT
NOTE
When removing rivets, care should be taken to not enlarge rivet hole
as this would require use of an oversize or larger rivet for
replacement.
a. Solid Rivet RemovaL
1. File a flat surface on the manufactured head if accessible. It is always preferable to work on manufactured
head rather than the one that is bucked over, since the former will always be more symmetrical about the shank
2. Indent center of the filed surface with a center punch
3. .Drill through rivet head Be sure to use a drill slightly smaller than diameter of rivet shank to avoid
making rivet hole oversized.
4. Shear weakened rivet head off with a sharp chisel. For this operation, support back side of rivet and cut
rivet head along direction of rivet line or panel edge. This will prevent distortion of the panel.
5. Firmly support the panel from the opposite side and drive out shank with a pin punch. If rivet is unduly
tight because of swelling between sheets, drill rivet shank out with an undersize drill bit.
b. Blind Rivet Removal.
1. File a small flat space on rivet head.
2. Center punch the flat space. Support rivet backside, if possible.
3. Using a small drill bit about the size of rivet pin, drill off tapered end of pin which forms the lock.
4. Shear lock using a pin punch to drive out pin.
5. Fry out remainder of locking collar.
6. Using a drill bit slightly smaller than rivet shank, drill almost through rivet head
7. F’ry off rivet head with a pin punch_
8. Tap out rivet shank with a pin punch
c. Lockbolt RemovaL
1. Work from the head side of lockbolt, if accessible. File a small tlat space on the head if rounded.
2. Center punch the head
3. Using a hardened drill bit slightly smaller than lockbolt, drill through the head In cases where lockbolts
are too hard to be drilled with available drills, grind the head down using a cutoff wheel or carbide bit in a die
grinder. When using grinder method, cut the head down until it is very thin, but do not grind it completely off or
touch the body part with grinding tool.
4. Use a pin punch to pry off head or shear it off with a sharp chisel. Make sure the part is adequately
supported while performing this step.
5. Drive lockbolt out of its hole with a pin punch Care must be taken so that hole or part is not distorted.
NOTE
In cases where lockbolt head is inaccessible, the locking collar
must be removed. It is best to remove collars by grinding or by
splitting them axially with a sharp chisel.
33-7
