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I was in the middle of putting my transmission in my 73 and I saw that the clip that holds the TOB in was broken so I bought a new clip and rivet. I went to a machine shop and to a trans shop and they both told me they replace the whole fork when this happens... Does anyone have any idea of an alternative method of fastening the clip to the fork?
Kevin
You might be able to drill out old rivet and clip and replace yourself with some other type of hardware store rivet. Even a permanent fastener of some type might work.
I replaced my fork spring successfully myself and couldn't find the correct rivet to do the job. I had to make a rivet from a machine screw and it turned into a nightmare job. You need a rivet set to back it up while you form the blank end. A regular sized one was too short because of the fork angle, so i had to make one. If your rivet is too hard, it will be difficult to peen over. Without making this post longer, I will say there is a reason most people simply buy a new fork with the bearing clip already installed. If I am ever faced with the job again, I will be buying a new fork with the clip already installed. This may not be what you would like to hear, but I am being honest. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I've already ground off the old rivet and purchased the kit from Zip, my problem is finding someone to rivet the clip to the fork. Apparently being able to just buy the separate clip is new to the car world because I went to an old trans guy of 30yrs experience and he told me he has never seen a clip sold separately.
I've already ground off the old rivet and purchased the kit from Zip, my problem is finding someone to rivet the clip to the fork. Apparently being able to just buy the separate clip is new to the car world because I went to an old trans guy of 30yrs experience and he told me he has never seen a clip sold separately.
discontinued from a few years back but formerly available at the GM parts counter
I've already ground off the old rivet and purchased the kit from Zip, my problem is finding someone to rivet the clip to the fork. Apparently being able to just buy the separate clip is new to the car world because I went to an old trans guy of 30yrs experience and he told me he has never seen a clip sold separately.
I used the same repair kit a few years ago.
Simply found a concave drift/bar and pounded the rivet into place with a small sledge and my anvil as a backing/bucking stop. No problem. Make sure the assembly is tight (spring to fork contact) prior to striking the rivet shank. The expansion of the rivet as you drive the face of the shank produces an interference fit which holds the assembly together. Remember you're driving the hammer against the shank an not the rounded head. Support the head against the anvil and drive the shank back down toward the head. Having a nice rounded face when you're finished is a plus. If you have trouble holding the assembly against the anvil you can always use an old socket to cradle the rivet head.
You'll be amazed at how simple this really is when you're finished.
Last edited by Hammerhead Fred; Jul 17, 2012 at 11:50 PM.
discontinued from a few years back but formerly available at the GM parts counter
I purchased a new fork at a local Chevy dealer in January (2012). Wasn't particularly cheap, but my old fork had been damaged and welded (poorly) at some point. Worth the $$ not to go through pulling the trans again.