Rivet Guidance

[bella_intl]

I have a 2017 27FB. I noticed that a few interior rivets are missing, do not appear to have been installed originally as there is no marking on the aluminum where the rivets would have been. I have a rivet tool and a variety of rivets for other applications. The rivets in my kit are larger than the interior wall rivets. I looked at some of the Airstream rivet kits and other rivet kits, they do not appear to include the small rivets that are used in the interior walls. I know I can drill out the holes and use a larger rivet, but wanted to check to see if anyone has found the correct rivets if they are not included in the Airstream kits already.

[kittmaster]

Originally Posted by bella_intl

I have a 2017 27FB. I noticed that a few interior rivets are missing, do not appear to have been installed originally as there is no marking on the aluminum where the rivets would have been. I have a rivet tool and a variety of rivets for other applications. The rivets in my kit are larger than the interior wall rivets. I looked at some of the Airstream rivet kits and other rivet kits, they do not appear to include the small rivets that are used in the interior walls. I know I can drill out the holes and use a larger rivet, but wanted to check to see if anyone has found the correct rivets if they are not included in the Airstream kits already.

Call Airstream's store in Jackson Center. They had all types of rivet kits there when we visited last month.

[Tim A.]

Most, if not all, of the interior rivets fit 1/8" holes. A good source is McMaster-Carr (https://www.mcmaster.com/rivets). On that link, click on "Rivets" and on the next page on "Aluminum Domed Head Blind Rivets." Your want ones with an aluminum mandrel. For the Airstream interior rivets, you will mostly need those with "Lg." equal to 0.525" to extend through the underlying strut.

Tim

[Farmer Dan]

Fastenal is a good source of rivets here in my area. Use the aluminum body / mandrel type. Many sizes in their literature so be sure of the length and diameter that you want. I've always gone to the stores so I am not sure if they ship. But in this day and age they surely do.

Dan

[pmclemore]

I understand about missing rivets - that is, holes where rivets used to be. It is common as things get shaken around. I asked that question at the factory and was told to replace them, and it is unlikely that they will need to be again replaced.

However, I don't understand about missing rivets that were never installed. I would be surprised if they were truly missed. Is that what you were saying?

Pat

[Hittenstiehl]

There is another good thread called,

"interior rivets-what size"

where there is a similar conversation going on. It is in the skins ribs and rivets section.

[bella_intl]

Given what I've seen in reply to my original post, I understand that the missing rivets are along a rib and I will need to use 1/8" rivets, best suggestion is to use 0.525 length. I checked the holes and indeed, they will take 1/8" rivets, just concerned about the head length. Any further comments?

[ZOZ]

The interior rivets are:

AD43ABS, 1/8 x .337
AD45ABS, 1/8 x .462
AD45ABS, 1/8 x .650

A=Aluminum
D=Dimple
4=4/32" Shell Dia.
3=3/32" Grip Range
A=Shell Aluminum
B=Blind Rivet
S=Mandrel Steel

Nobody has been able to identify exactly which rivet is applied where in the interior.

zoz

[pmclemore]

For the interior, just use a 1/8" pop rivet. Pretty much any length will do.

Pat