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Electric EZGO Electric EZ GO Marathon, Medalist, TXT and RXV. |
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02-14-2012, 09:48 PM | #1 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 374
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Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
I HATE the EZGO system of riveting everything together. I have already ordered and used a set of rivets to reinstall my body after painting it the first time. Then my wife wrecked into my cart so I had to take the front off again to repaint it. Now that I am ready to reinstall again I really don't feel like getting more rivets to put it on. I have already replaced the bottom rivets with screws and nuts with big washers, the only rivets I used on the front cowl last time were the 6 that hold it to the dash. I would like to use something different since I would like to pull the front cowl occasionally to mess with stereo stuff, etc. Has anyone else used something other than rivets that held together good? I was thinking of those plastic snap in "rivets" that hold bumper skin and other plastic panels on cars. They can be popped open and reinstalled many times.
Any thoughts or suggestions?? I am hoping someone knows of just the right thing at Napa, Autozone, Home Depot etc. and can fill me in before I run all over town trying different things. |
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02-14-2012, 11:27 PM | #2 |
Let's go racin' boyz!!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Springdale, AR
Posts: 4,156
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Re: Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
I looked at many options. Bought a few to test and ended up riveting it back on and calling it good. I couldn't find anything that I felt like that was going to work correctly. Hopefully somebody else had a better idea.
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02-14-2012, 11:39 PM | #3 | |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 374
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Re: Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
Quote:
P.S. I remember us talking about gear noise in another thread. I had the loud whine from my new input shaft. I finally decided to do something impossible (supposedly) and welded new metal back onto my old shaft splines, then recut them with a dremel and spun the shaft with a drill in a vise to sand it down evenly to the right diameter again. I kept test fitting into a motor on a workbench to get it to fit right and it works! I have only driven it about 1-2 miles then my wife hit the cart with her van. I will get back on the road tomorrow to drive it some more. I figured if it was going to bust and strip it would have happened pretty quick. Input shaft noise is now gone since it is the old shaft again. I hope it holds. |
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02-15-2012, 02:38 AM | #4 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Marion, Ohio
Posts: 1,391
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Re: Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
The biggest single problem with that type if repair is that it usually ruins the temper of the repaired part. It can get the job done, but eventually you'll be replacing it. At least you know it will be a problem and can get a new one on its way.
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02-15-2012, 06:50 AM | #5 | |
Gone Mad
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Buford, GA
Posts: 8,988
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Re: Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
Quote:
I just got through replacing all seals and bearings in my 2004 motor and 1998 differential. I was surprised that when I left a rare earth magnet in the old oil overnight, I saw nearly nothing in the way of metal. Quite the opposite of the condition of the steering rack, which had lost a significant amount of metal. Once I reassembled and began riding it, all the whining I was accustom to was gone. Apparently with mine, all the noise was just from worn out bearings. I did add 1 Oz. of STP oil treatment, which may have also helped. I hit 32 mph this weekend going downhill full throttle, and was amazed at how quiet this thing is now. So I can sympathize with you if you installed new parts and it got louder. |
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02-15-2012, 08:57 AM | #6 |
Not Yet Wild
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Delaware
Posts: 35
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Re: Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
After painting I reinstalled my front cowl with 2 piece plastic push pins I found at Lowes. They are the ones you push into place and then the center pin is tapped in to snug it up. So far they are holding the front cowl firmly in place and were alot easier to install than the factory rivits.
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02-15-2012, 09:17 AM | #7 |
Happy Carting
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 73,344
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Re: Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
In the shop, factory rivets are an inexpensive and fast way to secure the body. Removal is as close as a cordless drill and reinstall with an air driven rivet gun in minutes....... nothing I can think of would be better/easier?
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02-15-2012, 11:31 AM | #8 | |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 374
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Re: Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
Quote:
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02-15-2012, 11:38 AM | #9 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 374
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Re: Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
My situation is different. I would like to able to get to stereo equipment, wires, painting the cowl and other things a few times per year. Drilling, cleaning scrap metal fillings, then driving to a EZGO shop or ordering rivets online that I have to pop rivet back into place is kind of a pain compared to being able to pop off a temporary part and reinstall it as many times as I need to. Plus I have a feeling that the rivets will only come as a set at most dealers. I avoided using some of them at the points behind the side rails and used srews with nuts instead. They were easy to install and I can pull them off and on many times. The average person never removes the body or does it once to paint and reintall. I am painting the front for a second time already. I would just like somethinge easier. Club Car is a cinch to work on compared to EZGO in my opinion. My first cart was a CC and I pulled the body a few times during modifications and cleaning and it was a snap. Plus my CC frame never rusted. They both have quirks though.
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02-15-2012, 01:01 PM | #10 |
Gone Wild
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Central Delaware
Posts: 859
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Re: Can I install the front Cowl WITHOUT rivets
I like the idea of the "pop-pins" (plastic automotive rivets), but think, in time, with the vibration and shake that might be present in a cart, they would wear and break. Not that that would be too big an issue. If they did, it would be individually and they could be replaced the same way
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