Rear body repair in early 80’s models - Printable Version

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+--- Thread: Rear body repair in early 80’s models (/showthread.php?tid=8272)

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Rear body repair in early 80’s models - Schaepert - 12-06-2024

Have any owners with old 80’s riveted bodies ever run into this issue(see photos below)?

Rear sidewalls/corners of the coach where multiple aluminum bows line up. Rivets are damaged or none existent and has cause pretty large gap that can even be seen on the inside. 

Any advice would be appreciated, I don’t really know where to start with this one. Thank you!

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RE: Rear body repair in early 80’s models - cwl1979 - 12-06-2024

As a suggestion, I would start where the rivets are still present and drill out 2 at a time and replace with new ones of a slightly larger size, to get a gite on things. Make sure you get all the "goop" out that you can for the best possible mating surface. If you have a way to get something beside the coach you can push against that would be great so you can close the gap while popping in new rivets.

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RE: Rear body repair in early 80’s models - HoosierDaddy - 12-06-2024

Start here.
https://bylerrivet.com/

I have repaired similar issues. I think I posted a couple threads on rivet repair.
I will try to remember to look up the rivets I used tomorrow .
agree with Carl… Clean the goop out first.

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RE: Rear body repair in early 80’s models - Jack Houpe - 12-07-2024

I use Cherry Rivets (cherrymax) used for aircraft skins, they are great but you'll need to buy a heavy duty rivet gun or a pneumatic unit is best.

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RE: Rear body repair in early 80’s models - HoosierDaddy - 12-07-2024

           
The washer cap rivets work best if you can access the back side. The tool I’m showing is needed . It attaches to a common (harbor freight) air hammer. You need someone on the back side with a heavy steel “buck” to go against the back of the rivet. The last pic is a shaveable blind rivet. They sell a tool to shave them. I just used side cutters and a small grinder followed by sandpaper. 
Byler Rivet has good information that you will find helpful.

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