Removing an old case fan thats rivetted?

JediNight

I have a Lian Li case that I bought a few years ago.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112025

The bearings have gone bad on 2 of the case fans and I wanted to replace them. The problem is that the top case fan appears to either be rivetted on, or some type of finishing cap has been placed on both the outside and inside face of where it is attached.

Is this maybe just some type of cap that I can pop off? (I can't get under them with my fingernails)
Or any tips on removing it without destroying the finish on my case?

Seems rather retarded if I'll have to borrow a drill and bore out the screw/rivet that way. Especially then being worried that metal filings will be left in the case...

Mishra

Can you post a pic of the actual fan/rivet? Most rivets you can simply drill out then pop in a new rivet. It might be a bit dicey if it's in a sensative area

AtomBomb

Yeah, it's hard to tell from the newegg pics. Those black "rivets" are metal? Or are they plastic? If you do have to drill them out, drill out from the inside so you don't risk damaging the finish on the outside. If they are riveted that is a stupid fucking design. Even the best case fans eventually die.

If you do drill them out you'll have to find a new way to attach the fans. Those don't look like traditional rivets to me.

eternalbl

Just drill them out, if typical fan screws don't fit the holes left, drill those out a bit too. Not too hard at all.

Another option, considering the fan is already garbage is to use a cutting wheel on a dremel on the inside of the fan and through the rivet. Drill would probably be 100x easier though.