Rebound strap rivets

[David H.]

How are the rivets that hold the rebound strap plates in place peened?
Thanks

[Mike M.]

Re: Rebound strap rivets

a tool specifically designed to peen the rivets, The Mongoose, is available. the manufacturer ads in the driveline. several NCRS chapters have bought the tools and make them available to chapter members at no cost. mike

[Pat H.]

Re: Rebound strap rivets

Corvette Central sells one for about $30.00. I bought one and it works fine.

[Dave H.]

Re: Rebound strap rivets

See the February 1, 1961 Chevrolet Parts and Accessories Catalog, Page 840.The rivets are shown as 3/16 x 11/16.Group 8.967 is specified, but that group does not contain information about rebound strap rivets.

[Pat H.]

Re: Rebound strap rivets

Dave, when I took my 59 apart the rebound straps appeared to have been replaced with original appearing olive crab straps, however the were secured with screws and nuts. I just checked my C-1 Corvette Serviving Guide, the one with the white cover and in section 4-5 it says that when installing new straps using 1/4 inch bolts and nuts and tighten the to 10-12 ft lbs. I think back in the day this is the way it was done. I looked for the old straps and plates that I took off, but I think I sold them at a swap meet.

[Troy P.]

Re: Rebound strap rivets

NOS straps still available as well as repos. NOS are like olive green and repos are brown. Can't say for sure what is original as those straps on unrestored cars are often hit hard by road debris and water/snow and fading can change the color. I have some NOS if needed.

Rivets and plates are available repo. As Mike mentioned there is a tool sold to crimp the rivets. I have the tool and you are welcome to keep it for a small fee. Then pass it on if you won't have anymore cars to do in the future. Thing I found is not to overtighten the tool. Otherwise you smash the rivets too much and the appearance is not factory.

Pay attention to which direction your rivets are supposed to point before you crimp them. In 53-54 the rivets were installed facing inward, toward each other. But starting in 55 and I assume continuing through later years (check that) they all pointed toward the front of the car.

[Troy P.]

Re: Rebound strap rivets

BTW if the body is not on the chassis you will need to compress the rear springs to close up the distance between the rear axle carrier and chassis to fit the straps on. You can easily do this using a ratcheting web strap.

[Pat H.]

Re: Rebound strap rivets

As Troy mentioned, there are NOS straps around, but be careful which ones you buy. The later ones are not as thick as the originals and are more pliable than the originals. The first ones I bought were the later edition that were in a paper type package. I did find the earlier ones in boxes which I believe are correct. They are much harder to manipulate than the later ones. I used the hardware kit that CC sells and it worked out fine, but as memtioned in earlier posts they were probably semi tulular steel rivets not aluminum that comes in the kit

[Bert L.]

Re: Rebound strap rivets

It's satisfying for me to see that my "Mongoose" are still in action, putting their bite on the straps....

[Mark S.]

Re: Rebound strap rivets

There are a couple tools out there; however, I believe that the Mongoose is the best and easiest to use in my opinion. Bert: Thanks for putting this tool in the hands of restorers!