Installing rebound straps ???

[Daniel S.]

Hi I am installing rebound straps and have a difficult time. I am having a very difficult time holding the two plates and trying to squeeze them together with the strap so the rivets poke through let alone trying to get the rivet tool I bought from corvette central.

I did preliminarily compress the straps like in the instructions but having a heck of the time

Any tricks that I might be missing?

Thanks

[Mike M.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

Use nut and bolt temporarily to do upper the do lowers with rivets and tool. Then remove bolt and rivet uppers. Also squeeze center of plates with needle nose vice grips. Mike

[Daniel S.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply Using the tool from Corvette central it compresses both rivets at the same time so I don't think I can put a bolt through one hole but I will try the needle nose vice grips to hold in place until I get the tool attached then remove. I tried using vice grips but too big.

Thanks (time to buy needle nose vice grips I don't have problem spending money on tools since I justify it by not paying someone else $100 an hour - local rate at vet shop)

Thanks again

Dan

[Mike M.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

the Mongoose round strap rivet tool allows putting bolt thru one, needle nose vice grips in middle then mongoose on lower rivet. if u r a MAC member, there is a mongoose that can be lent to members. where ya at in Penna. mike

[Daniel S.]

[Daniel S.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

I saw previous threads about the Mongoose and tried to research it but nothing came up

[Bert L.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

Hi Daniel, I am the Mongooses' "father",(thus my avatar image). I made and sold many of them to Vette shops, clubs and serious amateur home-based restorers mainly during the Seventies and Eighties . I also contributed an article on how to make your own, published in a long ago issue of the "Restorer". I would have to check my files for the issue in question. As Mike suggested, try putting out the word locally, or perhaps someone reading this thread will come to your rescue with the loan of their "pet". Best of luck with your project....
Bert Levesque

[Richard M.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

The CC Tool is a bit tricky to use. I also had trouble and modified the tool for easier use.

Instead of using the 2 Allen head bolts supplied with the kit to hold the 2 blocks together, replace them with 2 threaded studs. It's awkward to try to use Allen bolts in this application. After you assemble the top plate secure the tool over the strap assembly with flat washers and nuts onto the studs and tighten securely.

It will be much easier to assemble it onto the strap and plates using the studs. If you don't have any just cut the heads of of the supplied outer Allen bolts and use those. I've attached the CC Instruction sheet for some additional views of their tool.

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[Daniel S.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

thanks it does sound easier I will give it a try working in 30 degrees doesn't help

[Gary C.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

Bert's Levesque Mongoose and Joe Calcagno rebound straps Restorer articles attached

[Daniel S.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

Hi Richard, Thanks for the idea I bought studs, washers and bolts will try this tomorrow thanks
Dan

[Daniel S.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

Bert's Levesque Mongoose and Joe Calcagno rebound straps Restorer articles attached

[Daniel S.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your suggestion both the vice grips and the suggestion from Richard worked for me. Got both installed today. another small victory.

Thanks again
Dan

[Daniel S.]

Re: Installing rebound straps ???

Hi Richard,

Thanks for the suggestion- with yours and MIke's (needle nose pliers) I was about to get them on today. Appreciate it.

Dan