Another "Riveting" Question

[David Smith]

Does anyone know what was used for a riveting machine when the rotors and ball joints were attached? I have access to an old riveting machine (Foot operated) That has the mandrel to fit the rivits but wasn't sure if it would be correct.Did they use a machine of this type? The machine is older and has been used for brake pads
Thanks for any input.
David

[Harmon C.]

Re: Another "Riveting" Question

Riveting brake shoes is a lot lighter duty than ball joints. I would think it would not work unless it is adjustable to alot more force.

[Joe L.]

Re: Another "Riveting" Question

David-----

Ball joints were actually rivetted to the a-arms at St. Louis in some sort of "off-line" operation. However, I don't know what type of machine was used. The rivets are 1/4" and 5/16" solid steel rivets, so quite a bit of force is required to set them. As Lyle indicated, brake shoes and pads with rivetted linings are attached by hollow rivets which are much easier to set.

The rotor-to-hub/spindle rivets were 3/8" solid steel rivets. These were installed at the Delco-Moraine manufacturing plant and would require some "heavy duty" equipment to install and set. My guess is that the rivets were set in some sort of large machine which did all 5 at once.

[David Smith]

Thanks Guy's

I don't believe the machine is adjustable for the required force it would take to set them, Thanks for the info.
David

[John H.]

Re: Another "Riveting" Question

The ball-joint rivets were set using a very "hefty" hydraulically-powered riveter, similar to those used on frames in truck assembly plants; anvil-type hydraulic presses like that, capable of setting solid steel rivets, are generally found only in larger machine shops and shops that repair heavy truck frames.

[Franz E.]