Tips for removing rivets on stock exhaust tips

F1FL · 03-21-2023, 07:00 PM

Hi all,

Anyone have any suggestions on how to best remove the rivets on the oem exhaust tips? I’m installing extended/larger tips on my rear section and am having trouble with the rivets. I’ve been drilling them off but have gone through multiple drill bits without much luck.

Nisfro98 · 03-21-2023, 07:16 PM

What kind of bit are you using?

F1FL · 03-21-2023, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nisfro98

What kind of bit are you using?

I’ve tried a few different sizes, bits that fit inside the rivet and bits that cover the width of the rivet. Had most luck with 3/16th.

Nisfro98 · 03-21-2023, 09:26 PM

No I mean type. They make bits for different applications. There's even ones specifically for rivets. Get a step bit or even a cobalt bit. Theyre made for high temps. And use some bar oil. Oil helps keep the temp down so you don't burn them up

nekbreaker · 03-22-2023, 12:14 AM

I use titanium drill bits and wd40 to cool tem down

F1FL · 03-24-2023, 03:47 PM

I think that was my issue. I believe on two or three I burned them and they essentially melted so it all looks like one piece of metal I have drilled into

TboneS54 · 03-24-2023, 04:34 PM

The rivet centers are heat treated, so don't waste time drilling them. Get something flat under their heads, pry up a bit then use dikes or some type of snip to cut the softer metal out of the way. Then just punch the centers down and out.

It's much faster. I've done 2 mufflers now, so 8 tips or 24 rivets. Trust me.

Added a pic - putty knife or flathead to get under the head, hammer can help. Then hammer and punch to push the rivet pin down and out.

F1FL · 03-26-2023, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TboneS54

The rivet centers are heat treated, so don't waste time drilling them. Get something flat under their heads, pry up a bit then use dikes or some type of snip to cut the softer metal out of the way. Then just punch the centers down and out.

It's much faster. I've done 2 mufflers now, so 8 tips or 24 rivets. Trust me.

Added a pic - putty knife or flathead to get under the head, hammer can help. Then hammer and punch to push the rivet pin down and out.

Awesome thank you. Will give this a try. Was trying with a small flathead screedriver but couldnt get any force under the rivet head.

F1FL · 03-27-2023, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TboneS54

The rivet centers are heat treated, so don't waste time drilling them. Get something flat under their heads, pry up a bit then use dikes or some type of snip to cut the softer metal out of the way. Then just punch the centers down and out.

It's much faster. I've done 2 mufflers now, so 8 tips or 24 rivets. Trust me.

Added a pic - putty knife or flathead to get under the head, hammer can help. Then hammer and punch to push the rivet pin down and out.

Did your rivet heads look like this after punching them out? I used a putty knife and punched out the centers but I still can’t get the tips to budge. This is what mine look like now.

johnxm3 · 03-28-2023, 11:09 AM

Sorry I have to ask as I’m
Curious, which tips did you end up going with!?

F1FL · 03-28-2023, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnxm3

Sorry I have to ask as I’m
Curious, which tips did you end up going with!?

I got a pair second hand, I’m not sure the brand unfortunately. They are identical to the MPE tips.

03-21-2023, 07:00 PM	#1
F1FL Lieutenant 183 Rep 482 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	Tips for removing rivets on stock exhaust tips Hi all, Anyone have any suggestions on how to best remove the rivets on the oem exhaust tips? I’m installing extended/larger tips on my rear section and am having trouble with the rivets. I’ve been drilling them off but have gone through multiple drill bits without much luck. __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| ZCP \| Active Autowerke-headers back \| Brembo 380mm f/r \| OSS Headlights \| Full Gloss Carbon Interior \| AW/FR \| IG: loganflack_e92
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03-21-2023, 07:16 PM	#2
Nisfro98 Private First Class 51 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Mazda3 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: KY iTrader: (0)	What kind of bit are you using?
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03-21-2023, 09:26 PM	#4
Nisfro98 Private First Class 51 Rep 170 Posts Drives: Mazda3 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: KY iTrader: (0)	No I mean type. They make bits for different applications. There's even ones specifically for rivets. Get a step bit or even a cobalt bit. Theyre made for high temps. And use some bar oil. Oil helps keep the temp down so you don't burn them up
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03-22-2023, 12:14 AM	#5
nekbreaker Captain 170 Rep 618 Posts Drives: bmw e92 m3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: massachussett iTrader: (1)	I use titanium drill bits and wd40 to cool tem down
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03-24-2023, 03:47 PM	#6
F1FL Lieutenant 183 Rep 482 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Jacksonville, FL iTrader: (0)	I think that was my issue. I believe on two or three I burned them and they essentially melted so it all looks like one piece of metal I have drilled into __________________ 2011 E92 M3 \| ZCP \| Active Autowerke-headers back \| Brembo 380mm f/r \| OSS Headlights \| Full Gloss Carbon Interior \| AW/FR \| IG: loganflack_e92
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03-24-2023, 04:34 PM	#7
TboneS54 YNWA 1043 Rep 813 Posts Drives: 2004 M3 6spd & 2011 M3 DCT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (2)	The rivet centers are heat treated, so don't waste time drilling them. Get something flat under their heads, pry up a bit then use dikes or some type of snip to cut the softer metal out of the way. Then just punch the centers down and out. It's much faster. I've done 2 mufflers now, so 8 tips or 24 rivets. Trust me. Added a pic - putty knife or flathead to get under the head, hammer can help. Then hammer and punch to push the rivet pin down and out. Attached Images __________________ /// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options /// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54 Last edited by TboneS54; 03-24-2023 at 05:25 PM..
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03-28-2023, 11:09 AM	#10
johnxm3 New Member 38 Rep 8 Posts Drives: E92 M3 ZCP DCT Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Baldwin Park iTrader: (0)	Sorry I have to ask as I’m Curious, which tips did you end up going with!?
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