Resetting rivets?

[Scott O.]

Hi, All
Please let me introduce myself, worked professionally on cars, race cars and Superbikes all my life. Finally at age 50 bought my first Corvette! (wanted one since I was 12). Bought a Red 1978 L82 with 67 k on it, from the original owner, pretty much all original. I spend a lot of time reading this Forum, the knowledge and help is incredible!
My question, is there a way to reset loose rivets? The Battery Hold Down clamp and also the Rear Speaker Brackets are loose
I did a search and did not find anything on resetting rivets. I will/can replace the rivets otherwise
Thank you in advance
Scott

[Alan S.]

Re: Resetting rivets?

Hi Scott,
Great to see you're posting!
Are these rivets to which you no longer have access to both sides?
If you have access wouldn't using a buck on the flat side of the rivet and a setting tool on the shaft side still have enough mushrooming effect to tighten then up?
Regards,
Alan

[Tracy C.]

Re: Resetting rivets?

Hi Scott...Congrats on finally getting a Corvette.

If you have the wherewithal to buck new rivets, you can certainly give resetting the existing rivets a try.

I'm not completely sure which of the rivets in your pic are loose. I'm afraid that if it any of the ones through the fiberglass panel are the culprits, then any gain by resetting the rivets may be short lived.

Typically what happens is the fiberglass panel wallows out somewhat under service loading and that is what is causing the looseness. If this is in fact what has happened in your case, even replacing the rivet with a new one of the same size will not last long.

I think you will need to drill an oversize hole and upsize the rivet to get into virgin substrate of the fiberglass panel.

good luck either way,
tc

[Scott O.]

Re: Resetting rivets?

I understand what you mean about the Rivets wallowing out the fiberglass. The other probelm at least on the Speaker Brackets is getting a bucking Bar behind the rives
Thank you all for your help!