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Grab handle revisited #: 1309

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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 01:53 pm

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JAMMAN

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For those of you that did the grab handle mod... how did you remove the bracket?

I tried drilling, I have 4 offset spinning rivets now, I can't get a 3" cutoff wheel in there.

Maybe dremel or carbide burr?

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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 02:08 pm

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410customs

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Please explain this mod?

I have over the years re enforced the overhead grab handles on my Bronco several times. Passengers keep ripping them out!! I added A pillar handles on both sides as well. I kept having to add larger and larger self drilling screws and the passengers kept ripping them out.

My idea is to now to weld up some bolts pointing downwards and attach the handles to that.

What is this mod you speak of?
Thanks dude!

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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 02:22 pm

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JAMMAN

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A-pillar grabs. I have them on a 98 and want to transfer them to my 2000 since the molding is the same color it will look stock.

So I need to get the 4 rivets out of the old bracket. Proving to be more of a challenge than I thought.

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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 02:36 pm

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410customs

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Drill then with a stepped drill bit?
That is my first plan of attack for aluminum rivets
I always have a pack of Harbor freight stepped drill bits around, they are fantastic!

Last edited on Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 02:36 pm by 410customs

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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 02:40 pm

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JAMMAN

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They be spinning though. Even the mighty step drill cannot conquer spinning items.

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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 02:55 pm

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410customs

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Yes it can! Put a screwdriver under the head and pry up while drilling.........can stop the spinning

Otherwise you need a dremmel to shave the head off clean

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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2018 09:28 pm

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Chisel and hammer. Easy peasy. Even easier with a pneumatic hammer and chisel bit.

GB :)

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Posted: Thu Oct 4th, 2018 07:30 pm

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Kealel
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I used a Phillips screwdriver (one with a lifetime warranty) to pop out the center of the rivet, along with the use of a BFH. Once that was out I took out drill-bits step by step to drill out the rivets. If they span I used a flathead screwdriver to scrape the edges off the rivet so they popped out the back.

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Posted: Thu Oct 18th, 2018 07:41 pm

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JAMMAN

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I fell in the hole:

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Posted: Sat Oct 20th, 2018 01:43 am

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JAMMAN

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Got them off, didn't take pics because I was covered in metal shavings.

Drill did not work.

I tried chisel as suggested. Worked on one, another it pulled the rivet right out of the assembly.

I tried a cutoff wheel, not enough room.

Here's what worked and if I would have started here it would have taken about 20 minutes total.

I used a straight die grinder (air powered) and a carbide burr with a round tip, it was about 3/8 diameter on a 1/4 shank.

On the rivets that were not pre damaged I was able to gnaw them off in no time flat. Unfortunately there were only 3 out of 8 un touched. The ones already mauled spun from the burr friction and jumped around pelting me and the car with tiny metal shavings.

Attachment: 19D667_AW01.jpeg (Downloaded 22 times)

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Posted: Wed Oct 24th, 2018 12:32 am

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JAMMAN

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So removing the A pillar cover revealed 4 holes in the place where they should be:

And I was going to drill them out for 6MM BUTTTTT the 10-24 rivets fit 100% snug right out of the box and I thought... 4 X #10-24 is actually stronger than the 2 puny bolts holding the handle on. So I used them:

I checked the bracket and it fits 100% but I'm leaving the trim off so I can take the headliner out to do the OHC install.

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Posted: Sun Nov 4th, 2018 09:41 pm

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Mike69

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I purchased the brackets new, so I did not have that problem. It was very convenient that the holes are already drilled in the "A" pillar.

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