Interior pop rivet replacement question

[DeltaRon]

Have 2015 FC 28 Rear. Just returned from 2 week trip and noticed several rivets had popped their heads. I can see a hollow round piece inside the hole, assume this is remainder of original rivet. First, do I just use an ice pick to punch old rivet thru. Second, I bought the Airstream rivet kit but the supplied rivers are only identified by a part number. For example 330127-030 and 330127-050 look like they are 1/8" but no where can I find a reference in AS parts or manual.

Would appreciate any help before I create a bigger problem.


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[FCStreamer]

I'm curious to learn the answer to your question.

[silverlabs]

I am not positive on the numbers, but if I remember they refer to the length of the rivet. They are in fact 1/8. I merely take the 1/8th drill bit and push up to clear prior remains of the rivet. May need to drill. I had one pop on the curved part near door and it took the longer rivet to catch the framing. Shorter ones along side and flat part. At least that's my experience. I did put some tape on my drill bit to prevent going too far in as I was using a longer bit. Don't want to ram a long drill bit all the way through your outer shell.

Chuck

[AtomicNo13]

Replace with what fits in the hole. The replacement rivet should be a.very snug fit. You shouldnt need to drill... use the new rivet inserted in the gun to pop the old rivet out of the way.

[Cannonball]

Put painter's tape over the hole and rivet through it. If the rivet gun "skids" you will not mar the wall.


Cannonball, Deep in the Heart of Texas!

WBCCI #4387, Air #84080

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[silverlabs]

Originally Posted by Cannonball

Put painter's tape over the hole and rivet through it. If the rivet gun "skids" you will not mar the wall.


Cannonball, Deep in the Heart of Texas!

WBCCI #4387, Air #84080

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Good addition Cannonball. I forgot to note that as it may jump when it pops.

Thanks,

Chuck

[Howard L.]

1/8th inch rivets are what you have on the inside skin. Use a simple Home Depot gun (Stanley) and 1/8 X 1/8 to 1/8 X 1/4 size rivets will work well. Like above, use a 1/8 in bit to clean the old tivet shaft from the hole and then pop away. Good idea to keep that gun and several other size rivets on board the trailer for interior or exterior emergencies.

[jdalrymple]

Not to start anything here, but why is the trailer shaving rivets?

Sounds like a check of wheel balance and weight distribution setup may be in order.






Regards,


JD

[BillfromWI]

The 2017 Flying Cloud Owners Manual has a "Replacement Rivets" chart on page 8-5 for "Interior", "Exterior", and "Underbelly". You can download the manual as a PDF from the Airstream site. It lists AS rivet part numbers and other useful information (like drill number) and it gives two part numbers for each of the applications with different grip ranges. I assume these are for whether you are riveting through a rib, or not.

Vintage Trailer Supply has useful information about when to use what in their online catalog.

[Ziggy2]

Of bigger concern is why are the rivets popping? Overloading the trailer or too much bouncing?

[aftermath]

Originally Posted by jdalrymple

Not to start anything here, but why is the trailer shaving rivets?

Sounds like a check of wheel balance and weight distribution setup may be in order.

JD

I had this problem when I picked up our used trailer. I would suggest two areas to look into. I use an Equalizer hitch that came with the trailer. It was set up incorrectly with too much pressure on the bars. The PO never really used the trailer but kept it set up outside his home. He said he didn't have a problem with popped rivets.

I also noticed an open drawer a time or two which told me this thing was shaking while on the road even though I couldn't see anything amiss while driving. I took it in and put a new set of tires on it and that was the end of the issue. I did pop a rivet when I had to change a tire. Lifting the trailer put enough torque on the shell apparently.

[Bill M.]

if you use a drill use a positive stop block to limit the depth short of the outside skin. I use 1/8 white al rivets. I think a few poped rivets is normal or at least common. And yes the wheels should be balanced and some shops do not do it..

[Adventure.AS]

I don't wish to hijack this thread, but has anyone replaced rivets with aluminum rivet-nuts to use to hang things inside (or outside for that matter)?

[Streamer1231]

Originally Posted by Bill M.

if you use a drill use a positive stop block to limit the depth short of the outside skin. I use 1/8 white al rivets. I think a few poped rivets is normal or at least common. And yes the wheels should be balanced and some shops do not do it..

How do I know the depth/distance between the interior and exterior panels in the location that needs the new rivet?
I don't want to drill through the exterior panel while replacing an interior rivet, but I don't know what the depth is.

[TitusNW]

An easy way to determine the proper length for a replacement rivet is with a modified paper clip as a probe, Straighten one arm of the paper clip and then use pliers to put in a 90° bend as close to the end as you can. Cut the excess off so you have a very short extension, less than 1/8". Insert into the rivet hole and "hook" the far edge. You can then judge the grip length of that particular hole and select an appropriate length of replacement rivet.


Steve

[Streamer1231]

Great tip. Thanks, Steve!

Steve H.