TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Sep 11, 2021 7:14 am

As it turns out, I don't think I needed to remove the rivets in the 1/4 wing vents. But I did on one of them.

So what are my options on re-assembly? Just a pop-rivet?

Here is a shot of my new window's rivet.

Sat Sep 11, 2021 8:06 am

A short shank pop rivet is likely your best option, unless you have the equipment for solid rivets. Alternately a brass or copper rivet from a leather working supply store is easy to upset with home tools.

Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:16 am

busdaddy wrote: A short shank pop rivet is likely your best option, unless you have the equipment for solid rivets. Alternately a brass or copper rivet from a leather working supply store is easy to upset with home tools.

It seems that these rivets need to be tight and the Cab Vents probably not such a tight rivet plus the fiber washer for some friction reduction.

For the Cab Vents I see a few pix on here with guys using vice grips on a solid rivet. I see that Lowes has some that look to be Aluminum. Maybe I will get me a few.

The fiber washers still intact on those cab vents. I am gonna look for some new of those at Lowes too. Any problems using nylon or plastic? I am sure I will find that. Fiber maybe not at local stores, I see them online tho.

Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:24 am

The pivot rivet is a different deal to the ones holding the frame together, the vise grip and ball bearing works great for the pivots, Wolfsburg west (and many others) sell those along with the washers.

Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:45 am

busdaddy wrote: The pivot rivet is a different deal to the ones holding the frame together, the vise grip and ball bearing works great for the pivots, Wolfsburg west (and many others) sell those along with the washers.
you can buy the rivets as BusDaddy suggests. I used a vice grip and ball bearing to spread it, as I lacked the special too. Do not try to drill them out.

Sat Jul 12, 2025 3:37 pm

I'm in the process of rebuilding my vent windows and need to 're-install' the pivot hinge rivet. I understand what rivet BusDaddy and Steve are talking about - but lacking that type... are there other reasonable options?

A 'normal' rivet won't cut it, and the only other real option I can see is a little bolt. But I think that will loosen over time. It could maybe be double nutted? It needs to be thick enough to keep things aligned which limits the options - slightly.

Thanks -
andrewtf

Sat Jul 12, 2025 5:20 pm

You are referring to the pivot, correct?

WW and others sell the rivets, your local Ace hardware may even have something that will do. Any regular solid or pop rivet will also work, but it'll be tight for a while until it wears in, it all depends on the tools and skills you have.

A little machine screw and nut will also do, mash the threads a little with pliers to make it a lock nut if you don't want to double nut or buy actual lock nuts.

Sat Jul 12, 2025 6:50 pm

Front or rear?

Sun Jul 13, 2025 7:17 am

An aluminum pop rivet works great. It’s quick. It looks fine. If you open your quarter window 20 times a day it may wear faster, but it is very easy to drill and replace with the window in the door. I put a dab of tef-gel on the rivet.

Sun Jul 13, 2025 7:31 am

Thanks all.

I do have the type of rivet suggested and can give that a whirl. I've just never squished one of those. My local Ace has a wide variety of nearly every fastener know to man.

Failing that, I can use a regular 'ol pop rivet. I just wanted an alternative because the diameter of the normal rivet is sort of unpredictable when used like this. It either stays too loose and the vent window doesn't pivot smoothly, or it squishes too fat and wears thru quickly.

If this is the biggest worry I have today - its a good day.

thanks - andrewtf

(Airschooled - ahh your memory fades............ 3 buses - ALL of which we have removed the rear vent window. Anyone need one - or three?)