Seat Nut Breakage
Seat Nut Breakage
OK, now THIS is real dumb...
I was putting the red tail light blinker kit thing on my 2009 FLHTC. When putting the bolt on the seat, I hear this "Pop!". Now that darn seat bold just flops around, half screwed in. Me thinks that nut that is tack welded under the fender popped off.
I figured that I would put the bike on the jack and get my hand underneath there. No such luck. Even with the bike suspended in mid air, the rear wheel doesn't drop enough to get my hand in there.
I'm sure the dealer will tell me that since I was working on it, it's all my fault and this looks like a real PITA to get fixed.
Any cool way to fix this?
I was putting the red tail light blinker kit thing on my 2009 FLHTC. When putting the bolt on the seat, I hear this "Pop!". Now that darn seat bold just flops around, half screwed in. Me thinks that nut that is tack welded under the fender popped off.
I figured that I would put the bike on the jack and get my hand underneath there. No such luck. Even with the bike suspended in mid air, the rear wheel doesn't drop enough to get my hand in there.
I'm sure the dealer will tell me that since I was working on it, it's all my fault and this looks like a real PITA to get fixed.
Any cool way to fix this?
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 348
Likes: 7
From: Idaho
It is a pain. There is a clip on top of the fender that holds the threaded part (nut). Run a length of wire through the nut from the top. Push the wire till it pops out of the fender beside the tire. Wrap a screw or nail in the end of the wire so it won't slip through the nut. Now pull the wire from the top of the fender so it holds the nut in place so you can remove the old clip and install a new one. Once done, simply remove the wire from the bottom. If the nut is broken, slide a new one on to the wire before you wrap the screw or nail on the end. Then pull the new nut into position under the fender and install the new clip.
Last edited by sfchief; Dec 26, 2009 at 05:43 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 2,990
From: Charleston, SC
The "Nut" should be keyed. Pull up on the bolt until the nut engages the key hole in the fender. Now spin the Bolt out.
If you broke the key off the nut... you need to think of a way to get a pair of vice grips or something under the fender and around the nut.
lp
If you broke the key off the nut... you need to think of a way to get a pair of vice grips or something under the fender and around the nut.
lp
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,476
Likes: 3,950
From: Vermont
Don't know if it is related, but do a search on here for 2009 dimpled rear fender and broken seat nuts. There have been several on here that have been through 2-3 seat nuts and keep breaking them and others have had problems with dimpled fenders due to the seats. Mostly been on FLHX's.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 348
Likes: 7
From: Idaho
Like LP said, apply some upward pressure as you turn the bolt. A screwdriver carefully twisted between the bottom of the bolt head and seat bracket should snug the nut against the fender to allow you to back the bolt out.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 868
Likes: 51
From: Illinois
OK, now THIS is real dumb...
I was putting the red tail light blinker kit thing on my 2009 FLHTC. When putting the bolt on the seat, I hear this "Pop!". Now that darn seat bold just flops around, half screwed in. Me thinks that nut that is tack welded under the fender popped off.
I figured that I would put the bike on the jack and get my hand underneath there. No such luck. Even with the bike suspended in mid air, the rear wheel doesn't drop enough to get my hand in there.
I'm sure the dealer will tell me that since I was working on it, it's all my fault and this looks like a real PITA to get fixed.
Any cool way to fix this?
I was putting the red tail light blinker kit thing on my 2009 FLHTC. When putting the bolt on the seat, I hear this "Pop!". Now that darn seat bold just flops around, half screwed in. Me thinks that nut that is tack welded under the fender popped off.
I figured that I would put the bike on the jack and get my hand underneath there. No such luck. Even with the bike suspended in mid air, the rear wheel doesn't drop enough to get my hand in there.
I'm sure the dealer will tell me that since I was working on it, it's all my fault and this looks like a real PITA to get fixed.
Any cool way to fix this?