VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 front brake drum replacement

I'm refurbishing the front brakes on a 56 Chevy P/U, 2WD w/o positrac, and it needs a new spindle and drums. Are the three extra bolts/rivets on the drum actually rivets that , once removed, let the drum come off in the same manner as the rear dismountable drums? If so, do I just grind off the outer head and push them thru or is there more magic involved? Are these rivets pressed in or do they install by hand? Where are these rivets available? Anything else I need to know about this operation?

Chevrolet riveted the drum to the up up through 1959. In 1960 they eleminated the rivets which make pulling the drums to inspect the brakes much easier. The rivets/bolts are not necessary.

Thanks. I have the technology to make them disappear. And I think I can come up with a plan for leaving them off too. I suspected that they might be unnecessary.