Author Topic: Check Your Skid Plate Bolts  (Read 682 times)

ppd153

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Check Your Skid Plate Bolts
« on: June 13, 2016, 03:57:42 AM »
I drive a 14 UXV 700i SP. The machine has close to 700 miles on it with most of them on Moab trails. Needless to say I work it hard. On a recent ride I heard an unfamiliar noise under the machine and found part of my skid plate hanging. The bolts on both sides came out somehow. The leading edge on the rear plate was hanging down so fortunately I caught it before I ripped it off on the next rock. Luckily Kymco uses the same size bolts on nearly all of the machine so I was able to take bolts from the door frame and fix the plate. I checked the remaining skid plate bolts and found all of them loose. I'm not sure if they weren't torqued correctly or if they loosen with vibration. I put a little Lock Tite on each one and they should be good. Just wanted to let everyone know to check those bolts during their next inspection.

airshot

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Re: Check Your Skid Plate Bolts
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2016, 10:46:47 PM »
   Thanks for that information, I have found similar on my 450i, I believe they were not tight from original assembly but.....the real problem is they are self tapping screws. I found two that were stripped out and many loose so when they stripped they probably readjusted their gun and the rest were loose.  I was lucky enough to bring mine home from the dealer, put it in my garage and went thru and checked all the fasteners as well as fluid levels etc.  Each time I get under it I am starting to drill out and tap each hole for a machine screw thread as the frame material is thick enough, then add a button head bolt with a washer. Much stronger than original and can be tightened down much tighter. Yes I know they have to cut some corners somewhere, and while it could be much worse, these are easy to repair. At least they seem to have the important and critical stuff well made and put together. So far I have only experienced cosmetic things that need corrected and hope that continues. Thanks again for the Heads Up ..........

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