Help - I think it's cross-threaded!

RottMan · Oct 9th, 2008, 05:42 PM

I took off the dealer-installed 2-point docking hardware for a cleaner look. When I went to put it back on, one of the bolts would only go on a few turns before it stopped. It feels like its being cross-threaded. I told the dealer this and he suggested I use a "tap" to fix it.

First off, what is a "tap" and why should I have to do this on a 2-week-old bike?! That bolt goes directly into the frame. How hard/easy is this to do?

Another thought: I bought the 4-point kit also in preparation for my detachable TourPak that is on order. This bolt would be the middle bolt on the right side. You think I could get by with just 2 bolts on that side?

R. Lewis · Oct 9th, 2008, 05:53 PM

Tell the dealer you will be right down to have them fix it.

Tap & Die, thread chaser,hole reamer,grit gitter ---- items to "make new" threads,male or female.

TQuentin1 · Oct 9th, 2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RottMan

I took off the dealer-installed 2-point docking hardware for a cleaner look. When I went to put it back on, one of the bolts would only go on a few turns before it stopped. It feels like its being cross-threaded. I told the dealer this and he suggested I use a "tap" to fix it.

First off, what is a "tap" and why should I have to do this on a 2-week-old bike?! That bolt goes directly into the frame. How hard/easy is this to do?

Another thought: I bought the 4-point kit also in preparation for my detachable TourPak that is on order. This bolt would be the middle bolt on the right side. You think I could get by with just 2 bolts on that side?

First, here:

Tap and die - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Take the bolt that does screw in the other hole, and try it in the one that you are having problems with. Does it thread all the way in, no problems? If not, you probably should chase the threads in the hole with a "tap". Go to SEARS or a similar place and buy the right size for the bolt you have, like 1/4-20, 3/8-16, etc. If the other bolt DOES screw in to the problem hole, look carefully at the other bolt. Probably has had some of the threads mashed. Clean them up with a triangular file, or the right size "die".

No surprise that the Dealer did not offer to do this for you!! That is the way it is these days.

TQ

RottMan · Oct 9th, 2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TQuentin1

First, here:

Tap and die - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Take the bolt that does screw in the other hole, and try it in the one that you are having problems with. Does it thread all the way in, no problems? If not, you probably should chase the threads in the hole with a "tap". Go to SEARS or a similar place and buy the right size for the bolt you have, like 1/4-20, 3/8-16, etc. If the other bolt DOES screw in to the problem hole, look carefully at the other bolt. Probably has had some of the threads mashed. Clean them up with a triangular file, or the right size "die".

No surprise that the Dealer did not offer to do this for you!! That is the way it is these days.

TQ

Thanks for the quick reply! Seems pretty straight-forward. I'll give it a shot this weekend.

1fltri4me · Oct 10th, 2008, 09:30 AM

Another trick is to file a groove on the end of the bolt perpidiculer to the thread.
I would use a roll tap instead of a cut tap to chase the thread in the frame.
No matter how you try to fix this,make sure the bolt is good.If the threads are messed up,replace with a new one and use antisieze.

Oct 9th, 2008, 05:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
RottMan Warming The Wheels Ride: 2009 Street Glide Join Date: Sep 16th, 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 57 My Mood:	Help - I think it's cross-threaded! I took off the dealer-installed 2-point docking hardware for a cleaner look. When I went to put it back on, one of the bolts would only go on a few turns before it stopped. It feels like its being cross-threaded. I told the dealer this and he suggested I use a "tap" to fix it. First off, what is a "tap" and why should I have to do this on a 2-week-old bike?! That bolt goes directly into the frame. How hard/easy is this to do? Another thought: I bought the 4-point kit also in preparation for my detachable TourPak that is on order. This bolt would be the middle bolt on the right side. You think I could get by with just 2 bolts on that side? __________________ '09 Street Glide - Vivid Black Stage I \| Reinhart Slip-ons \| SE Heavy Breather \| Hidden Antenna

Oct 9th, 2008, 05:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
R. Lewis Moderators Ride: 2007 electra glide ultra classic Black Pearl Join Date: Nov 3rd, 2007 Location: Bourbon, Missouri Posts: 1,053 My Mood:	Re: Help - I think it's cross-threaded! Tell the dealer you will be right down to have them fix it. Tap & Die, thread chaser,hole reamer,grit gitter ---- items to "make new" threads,male or female. __________________ JUST BE CAREFUL !

Oct 10th, 2008, 09:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
1fltri4me Start The Engine Ride: 2006 Road Glide Join Date: Sep 14th, 2008 Location: Nor. Ca. Posts: 40	Re: Help - I think it's cross-threaded! Another trick is to file a groove on the end of the bolt perpidiculer to the thread. I would use a roll tap instead of a cut tap to chase the thread in the frame. No matter how you try to fix this,make sure the bolt is good.If the threads are messed up,replace with a new one and use antisieze.

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Help - I think it's cross-threaded!

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