Got a problem bolt holding my rear hugger on. It's not rounded out but it's not catching the thread and just spins. There's no real gap to get in and lift it up or even get a hacksaw blade in so I'm stuck for ideas. Any help much appreciated. See pic below. Bike is a Monster 695 (not that it matters)
Threads in the swing arm have disappeared. You have a small world of angst waiting for you. Sorry. Grind it off and start again.
Hmm ok. So grind it off and retap into the swing arm? I'm assuming it'll end up needing a slightly larger bolt as well?
Is it a threaded hole or a threaded insert? If it's an insert then it should be easy enough to replace.
You'll never get an insert out either. Sorry. Grinding off the head only will get the hugger off. Depends on what's left, how you can access it, material it's made from, will all vary, give problems............................. sorry, no easy answer.
Removal sadly, is (as said) probably grind off with lots of cooling intervals or the hugger will just melt away. access does look questionable for your average 4" angle grinder so may have to be a Dremel type etc. If you reckon the fastener and insert are all turning then sometimes you can be successful using various thin bladed implements (a wide flat bolster even) which you use to apply upward effort (carefully) under the hugger while turning the fastener possibly with a powertool (but watch the heat again) They are nearly always inserts as the gauge is so thin mid-panel. depending how much damage is done to the 'nutsert housing hole' (can be from corrosion, can be from spinning) you might be able to tease the old one out or knock it through (unlikely to turn into a 'rattle' but possible) and fit a new one depending on availability and access to a fitting tool. I used to fit them years ago but manufacture has changed since then - mine were aircraft approved EDIT - made by AVDEL (failing memory also becoming dyslexic apparently) :- http://www.avdel-global.com/en/products/threaded-inserts/thin-sheet-nutsertr.html have a 'Google' - there are many videos :- http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=wKPA2CxOo_0&feature=endscreen etc. - I believe 'D.I.Y.' supply of these used to be easier in Ozz or U.S. but will search myself now as curious. certainly available :- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M6-Steel-...icle_Parts_Accessories_ET&hash=item3a7f084265 etc
We use lots of these inserts on ships - they are called Riv-Nuts ( or at least the sort we use are... ). If you undo all the other bolts holding the hugger down, then gently lift the hugger whilst turning the offending bolt with an Allen key, it should be possible to get it to come out. You might need three hands at this point, so some assistance might be helpful. I'm pretty sure you'll find an insert with a thrashed thread in the swinging arm. If you're lucky it will be the bolt that the thread has pulled off, and you'll be able to put a new one in. More likely it will be the insert. Any decent light engineering company or well sorted garage / bike dealer should be able to ( carefully ) drill the old insert out and fit a new one...
Yoiu could always knock it through as Chris says............and if you can't see a way of getting out once it is loose, squirt a large blob of silicone into it and then knock it through............hopefully it will get stuck up and not rattle. Replace it with something from here........plenty to choose from: Rivet Nuts | Rivnuts | MemFast - industrial and sheet metal fasteners, tools and systems I would use the screw anchors. AL
Unless, of course, the bolt is corroded into the insert, and it is the insert that is turning in the swinging arm... In which case - taking the swinging arm out and ( again, carefully ) grinding the head off the bolt is probably the best way. Then you are back to getting the old bolt / insert out and getting a new one fitted. Sounds drastic, but it's not too difficult...
I just fixed that on my swingarm. I drilled out the screw and the rivet-nut and installed a new rivet-nut. It all was done in 10mins and was really easy. If you drill out the screw it does not get hot enough to damage the hugger.
Have done this myself. Remove wheel to gain better access to underside of hugger. Get a medium flat blade screw driver and GENTLY wedge it under the hugger directly below the screw and apply a moderate downward pressure to lift the screw. At the same time turn the screw and continue to lever the screw up. Its worked every time I've tried it though it is a bit of an 'agricultural' method.
