Need to remove this stubborn bolt
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Waldorf, MD
Need to remove this stubborn bolt
This is one of four bolts/bushings for my sissy bar. As you can see, it's been giving me lots of grief. The others were difficult, but not like this (damn Locktight). The inside (Allen) is rounded, so I used a hack saw to cut into it hoping to use a thing piece of metal as a wrench (too narrow). Also tried using channel locks on the outside but there's not enough room to grasp it.
Where do you guys suggest going from here? I need to remove it so I can install my saddle bags. Thanks!
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 55
From: Bellevue, NE
you could drill it and use an EZ out bit to get it out or slip something behind it to save the paint and grind the head off and remove the bracket on the inside of the fender and find a way to get it the rest of the way out.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: MAINE
Easyouts they sell them at homedepot there made for rounds screws or try taking a flat head and put it on one side of you hack saw cut and tap on it with a hammer you get what I'm saying but be very careful not to slip... Ill keep thinking
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
Yep, EZ out and heat up the bolt with a heat gun to loosen the lock tight, or cut the head off and then remove the fender strut and fender and clamp a set of vise grips on it or tack / spot weld a nut to it (tacking the inside of the nut to the stripped head of the bolt) and then remove it but be careful with the chrome and paint from splatter.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 149
Likes: 55
From: Bellevue, NE
an Impact Driver might be able to get it out if you've got enough room to get a bit on it. Again, just be careful, but these are extremely effective.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
Take a straight blade screwdriver and insert it in the upper side slot on a downward angle (the one at 10 o'clock) you created with the hack saw.
Hit downward on the end of the handle of the screwdriver with a hammer.
That should break the bolt free.
Tape lots of rags around the fender , near the bolt so if it slips, you don't scrape your fender and do more damage.
Hit downward on the end of the handle of the screwdriver with a hammer.
That should break the bolt free.
Tape lots of rags around the fender , near the bolt so if it slips, you don't scrape your fender and do more damage.
Last edited by ElectraGlideSteve; Apr 9, 2013 at 02:37 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: USA
Grind the head off and pull the plate out from behind. Then stick it in your vise and see if the bolt will come out of the plate. You already beat the snot out of it so you need to replace it anyway.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Canada
Drill it and EZ out it......Or, grind the head off, slip the grommets off and grab it with a Visegrip and turn it out. Throw some heat on it in case the last guy used red locktite on it..........
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Ok, I'll chime in: I have used progressively bigger drills just deep enough to get past the head until the head falls off. The docking point should then come off leaving more of the bolt to grab with vise grips and heat. Good luck!