PolarrrBearrr

I had to remove the door components for some body work, and I figured I could get replacement rivets at Home Depot or Lowe's (actually I was surprised to find the plastic rivets for the bumpers there... but I digress) but they didn't have them.

Anyone know where I can get them, or should I change them out to a bolt or something?

cooter26

iTrader: (1)

You can buy pop rivets at most autoparts stores along with a rivet gun if you dont already have one.

NowTheBadNews

iTrader: (3)

body shops usually have them. try a gm body shop. I think you need a special pop rivet gun for them though.

PolarrrBearrr

Yeah, I figured I would need a special gun for it. Has anyone just used bolts or some other hardware as a replacement?

bmccreery

The parts department at any GM dealer should have them. Bolts work too, just make sure to use some locktight. You don't want to have to tear your door back apart to tighten it back up. I would use the rivets. Good luck.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

i went to 6 GM dealers (pontiac, chevy, cadillac...you get the point) and none of them heard/used them anymore, if they ever did in the first place. Ended up one of the dealers had a "regualtor rivit" but it didn't peal, but i have had great success with them. So good luck finding the proper peel rivits. Otherwise my suggestion is to remove the regulator, and tack weld a nut on the back of the regulator. Then with lock tight, lock washer, and a decent grade bolt, simply bolt it on in the front and never have to worry about rivits ever again! Good luck!

cooter26

iTrader: (1)

Just buy yourself a cheap rivet gun with an asortment of rivets at your local auto parts dealer. These special rivets your talking about peel/pop are just blind rivets nothing special about them.

PolarrrBearrr

I only called them peel rivets Cooter because that was what I heard them called in another thread... I figured they were just a oversized regular rivet or something. (BTW great name).

I guess I'll need to make a trip out to the 'ole auto parts store...

84redta

iTrader: (34)

They are 1/4" and i coudln't even find them in Lowes or Home Depot. You use smaller and the regulator will move and tear the sheet metal (pictures are on the site of this happening). The "peel" rivits are supposably special in the three peices that peal back distribute the weight better. Who knows if thats true, but they do have to be like 1/2" long otherwise if any longer (one dealer sold me 1" version) they will hit the window regulator arms and obviously won't work. Also anything longer than 1/4" X 1/2"L will be too long for the power lock actuator.
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naw they do peel...they peel into three pieces that comes back to the flat surface...kinda like if you put a washer in the correct size in the back there...it evens out the contact area...as apposed to a pop rivit that just balloons the metal tube.

bmccreery

I didn't have any trouble finding them, but my dad works at the dealership. I even borowed there rivet gun. It worked off of air. And your supposed to use peel rivits because of the greater surface area like 84redta already posted. I think I might have a few extra?

PolarrrBearrr

I mean, I could use them, but, I don't have the gun. Is there another way to put them on the car without the gun? I only need them for one door. Like 3 or 4?

Titan85

iTrader: (1)

You would definitely need a gun to put the rivets in. Especially with the 1/4'' rivets since they are really hard to put in even with a one hand gun.

Car Quest has the rivets and the gun. Just ask for window regulator rivets and a 1/4'' rivet gun. I picked up the gun for around $35 and I believe the rivets are around 75 cents a piece.

PolarrrBearrr

See this is a (hopefully) one-time thing, and I really only need it for one door - my old one was rotted pretty bad, and I got a new one and am just swapping everything over.

I can't see making the investment (even as cheap as it is) for a gun I'll never use again. I think I'm going to try using bolts with a locking nut and see what happens.

Thanks for the info though guys.

84redta

iTrader: (34)

either that or get friends with a mechanic and borrow one.

Titan85

iTrader: (1)

If you go with the nuts and bolts, I would throw some thread lock on there also just to be sure the nuts don't wiggle themselves loose.

ljnowell

I own one of the rivet guns in question. I bought mine from snap on, a long time ago, and paid like 80 dollars for it. Anyway, you can bolt the stuff together, some locktite, little lock washers, it'll be ok.

PolarrrBearrr

Thanks, that's what I was thinking too with all the locking nuts and what not. I just can't see spending the money for a one time thing. I also don't have access to a welder (can you rent those?) so I figured my last option was the nuts and bolts.

Thanks guys.

wilyk9

iTrader: (13)

I have used the normal pop rivets (of the right size) and used steel washers on the back side if directly against the sheet metal to help prevent them from pulling through. As long as the washers are the correct size for the rivet. Not had any fail yet. But I would agree that if you have them available, the peel rivets are better.

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

Call the dealers until lets you use there gun(on site).Tell them you have the rivets & you just need the gun for a few minutes.Worth a shot anyway.