Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): johndeerelawn repair, pop rivets, starter cord

Question
through trying to remove recoil housing to replace starter cord on my john Deere js 63 lawn mower,as a professional sheet metal mech, i am having great difficulty removing the three pop rivets which retain the housing, on drilling the rivet heads to release them the bottom portion of the rivets just spin and frustrate me! what can you suggest?

Answer
Hello Paul, I hope I can be some assistance. One technique that I use is I get a little bit bigger drill bit. That generally works for me. However, if you can get in back of it get your self a flat head chisel and tap the head of the rivet. Oh and by the way get cheerful!