Screw Loose (on the tractor...)

[rockyridgefarm]

When I was adding HyGard the other day, I noticed a bolt was loose. It is one of the 2 bolts that are on either side of the Hydraulic fill cap. I am pretty sure the Power Beyond bracket attaches there. I tried tightening it, but it just spins, and must be stripped. I had never tried this bolt before, so I have no idea if it had ever been tight.

What is the way to resolve this? Is it OK as is? Is there an easy swap?

 

[CVHoss]

Mike,
Try getting a new bolt first. If you're lucky, the threads on the bolt are the culprit and you'll be able to get tension with a new bolt. If that doesn't work, the next thing would be something like this. If you've never done this type of repair, you may want to have your dealer do it as it can be a little tricky sometimes.

Hoss

 

[BillyP]

If I'm not mistaken, I used Heli-coils about 35 years ago. It was in small engines class, in high school. They sure worked is all I can say.

 

[Bird]

Yep, Billy, I've used Heli-coils a couple of times, the first being when I stripped the spark plug threads out of an aluminum head on a Lawnboy mower. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif My own carelessness caused the problem, but the Heli-coil fixed it just fine and wasn't hard to do.

 

[BillyP]

Yeah Bird, it was a pretty easy fix. Most of the ones we used was on B&S lawnmower engine. People would over tighten the starter/fan shroud bolts. Didn't take much to strip that aluminum out.

 

[_RaT_]

Helicoil it. Aluminum strips very, very easy. A helicoil into the aluminum is pretty simple and will not strip nearly as easy. It was standard to helicoil the cylinder studs on VW's. NAPA auto parts will sell helicoil kits for certain sizes. Bring in your bolt to get the right kit. Rat...

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I mentioned this to my dealer, and the other day I got a package, two screws! I guess one for the tractor and one for me. They had mentioned trying a screw first, but I didn't guess the'd race and send them to me. I haven't tried one yet, but unlike the responses here, the guys at work all said I should use Helicoils. But they probably don't know what they're talking about.... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif