I am trying to remove my outer fairing on a 2012 Ultra. The lower left bolt is out about 1/4 of an inch and will not loosen or tighten any. I have tried putting some pressure on it with no luck. The head is good, it is like the threads are stripped. Any ideas on getting it out, or is it time to start drilling??


Thanks,
Jason

 

It sounds like the brass insert in the fairing that the bolt screws into has separated from the fairing.

Take all the other bolts out. Have someone hold the fairing and pull back on it with some pressure while you try to loosen the bolt. It should come out, or the brass insert will separate from the fairing.

The good news is the dealership as a repair/ replacement insert.

 

On my o6 there is a brass insert in the plastic, maybe your insert is pulling out. Try having someone pull out on the fairing while your turning the screw.

 

Like the above stated, the brass insert is strip. Harley sell a repair kit or aftermarket kit.

 

...and at the risk of saying this one too many times. ..that slot in the inserts is not for a screwdriver! It's for thread cutting.

 

Thanks

 

What is that little installer bit in the pic? I've had to replace a few inserts and I like baubles, so I'm completely interested now.

 

The insert is turning. I had to grind the head of the screw off to get one to release, then addressed the insert.

 

I did have the issue of the lower left insert on the outer faring come loose because the plastic standoff it was in was splitting down the side. With a new insert, I mixed up some JB KwikWeld and molded the insert back into the plastic standoff. It has held up for a couples years now with no deterioration.