Camaro rear bumper center bracket rivets

JHS · #1 03-18-2020, 01:44 PM

I need to replace the rear bumper center bracket bolts with the correct rivets, which I have purchased. Not sure exactly how the rivets are installed, appears the bumper assembly needs to be removed but what tool is needed to seat the riveta? Is there a hand tool I can buy or does this need to be done at a machine shop?

Unreal · #2 03-18-2020, 02:20 PM

The originals will take serious force to flatten, so I doubt a machine shop would have the right equipment. Maybe a sheet metal shop, or a spring shop. You could probably drill out the center of the rivet, and then be able to swedge it by hand, but it won't look correct from the back.

As an alternative, resto houses sell bolts that are machined to look like rivets. I made my own using Metric bolts, because the head was larger for given shank diameter, than with SAE bolts. I just put the bolt in a portable drill and spun it while grinding the head. When I got close, I put the bolt in a drill press, and finished up with a file. You would need to lay on the ground and look under the bumper to tell they are bolts, not rivets.

**Salvatore** · #3 03-18-2020, 03:59 PM

Joe, there are good bumpers out there with the center bracket installed with the rivets. D+R (Steve) carry's a nice bumper.

JHS · #4 03-18-2020, 04:26 PM

Thanks for the input. when I saw the rivets I knew it wasn't going to be an easy fix.

JHS · #5 03-18-2020, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salvatore

Joe, there are good bumpers out there with the center bracket installed with the rivets. D+R (Steve) carry's a nice bumper.

I'm not familiar with D+R, can you tell me how to contact Steve??

**AnthonyS** · #6 03-18-2020, 06:52 PM

https://www.drclassic.com/contact

Unreal · #7 03-20-2020, 01:03 AM

I haven't seen any repro bumpers of awhile, but unless they have improved, I'd stick with OEM. If the ones D & R has are restored originals, then that might be OK.

**67since67** · #8 03-20-2020, 03:38 AM

I compress the center bracket rivets on my Chevelles with an arbor press. Have a helper or two on hand and sacrifice a couple test rivets to get it right. Good Luck!

**KevinW** · #9 03-20-2020, 03:23 PM

I spun down some stainless carriage bolts in a drill press, they work fine with nylon lock nuts and look close enough for my car. re-chromed GM bumpers

**Motorhead848** · #10 03-21-2020, 02:05 AM

Had a friend do a similar thing just in the lathe... does the trick! I wouldn’t want my fresh chrome any where near a press of any size to compress the rivet...

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinW

I spun down some stainless carriage bolts in a drill press, they work fine with nylon lock nuts and look close enough for my car. re-chromed GM bumpers