Rear Upper Shock Stud Plate

I'm working on my 65, and the PO put some wacky spring on the rear, prolly whatever he had laying around. Well, in pulling the rear shocks to do a cleanup, I tore the studs off at the pin on both sides (driver and pass). The body is shot, so it's coming off anyway, but how have you guys taken the studded cupped plate thing off the frame? Sawzall?

 

I blow the heads of the rivets out with a torch (then punch them through with a pin punch), then cut the welds with a cutoff wheel in a grinder. Cut one side, score the other, then whack it up with a hammer. It will pop right off.

 

This sounds like a plan. Been meaning to get a real torch anyway

ty!

 

If you have no intention of repairing and reusing the mounts and you don't have a torch, you can sorta get in there with a grinder to grind the heads off the rivets, but it ruins the mount.

 

The threads are sheered off entirely, so I was gonna order new ones anyway.

I only really care about the frame.

 

I sheared just the threaded part off years ago. I simply drilled and tapped a 3/8" hole where it sheared, and used a bolt with a washer to hold the shock on. I never had an issue with it, even years later. This would be a lot easier that removing/ replacing the whole bracket.
Just an alternative idea-Donny

 

I suppose there aint much to lose. I can give this is a whirl. Thanks!

 

I drilled mine out, starting with a small pilot bit then 1/4" then 1/2". Once the rivet head starts spinning you're good, then knock the rest through with a punch. The rivets are 3/8" so don't go too deep with the 1/2" bit or you'll drill your frame.