I hate to revive an old thread, but am having the rivet problem with my 2003. Can some one give me some step by step directions on how to drill out rivets and be able to screw on the new cover. I really don't want to pay the stealership to do it for me.

 

Yeah, It's really easy actually. You just use an 1/8" drill bit or close. Drill into the center of the rivet, already like it's been center punched. Only drill until the head of the rivet is gone. Not much at all. It should then come right off, exposing two screws and a dummy cover, or I guess the other one is the dummy cover. Whatever. You can buy covers made for this, with screws on top and bottom. I just bought a clear lexan one of fleabay, for like 10 bucks. Good luck.

 

Thanks! Anyone have pictures or video link for this? I don't want to eff it up! Can you drill too far and do damage?

 

+1, Dude, its as easy as Hands said it was.............

You'll barely drill 1/16th of an inch deep.

 

So I really can't screw this up? I'm pretty handy but have never messed with rivets or the timing cover before. I just want to make sure I don't do damage. So just use drill to take the head of rivet off and stop, no deeper.....?

 

Yep and make sure to remove the 2 pieces that will be floating in there after your done.

Just remember that your not drilling a hole, your just drilling enough to get the thin washer type pieces off the outside.

 

one final question about this, please let me know. For the replacement cover for a 2003, are the holes going to me two horizontal or are they vertical? I don't want to drill the rivets and not have the right replacement cover. The one I ordered has two horizontal screw holes. I'm going to be pissed if they are vertical. Someone with a 2003 please let me know.

Thanks!

 

Screws will be vertical afterwards, sorry to say.

 

I called my HD dealership and they triple checked and said it was horizontal.

 

Pre 04 have the rivets!