Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Speedometer / tachometer bolt stuck? Help!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 01-17-2019 | 04:51 PM
Lok Hang Yung's Avatar
Lok Hang Yung
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default Speedometer / tachometer bolt stuck? Help!

Hi all,

Please see image as reference. I was trying to loosen up this bolt (circled in red), for some reason it doesn't want to loosen up. It just kept turning as if nothing is holding on the other side.

Anyone has any suggestion on how to loosen / unbolt this?

 
  #2  
Old 01-17-2019 | 08:38 PM
im's Avatar
im
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,668
Likes: 876
From:
Default

Hello and welcome.
Good picture but it sometimes helps to give year and model on most questions.
In this case it looks like the somewhat common spinning console bolt.
The bolt is captured in a slot on the tank.
The slot for bolt sometimes becomes wider because of over torque of the NUT and then bolt spins in the slot.
A possible solution is to pull UP the front part of console near bars as you attempt to loosen NUT.
Or to use finger tips to get under front of console unit and pull UP as you try to loosen NUT.
Basically trying to add resistance to bolt so you can turn NUT.
If a thread locker was used on nut or bolt then you will need to use a hot hair drier on NUT in order to soften thread locker and it will also expand bolt.
Good luck..it happens and most times this works.
 
  #3  
Old 01-17-2019 | 08:42 PM
Lok Hang Yung's Avatar
Lok Hang Yung
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Originally Posted by im
Hello and welcome.
Good picture but it sometimes helps to give year and model on most questions.
In this case it looks like the somewhat common spinning console bolt.
The bolt is captured in a slot on the tank.
The slot for bolt sometimes becomes wider because of over torque of the NUT and then bolt spins in the slot.
A possible solution is to pull UP the front part of console near bars as you attempt to loosen NUT.
Or to use finger tips to get under front of console unit and pull UP as you try to loosen NUT.
Basically trying to add resistance to bolt so you can turn NUT.
If a thread locker was used on nut or bolt then you will need to use a hot hair drier on NUT in order to soften thread locker and it will also expand bolt.
Good luck..it happens and most times this works.
Thank you, I will give it a try tomorrow and report back.
 
  #4  
Old 01-17-2019 | 11:45 PM
MNtadpole's Avatar
MNtadpole
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 17
From: Lake Bluff, Illinois
Default

Never knew this was a common problem...hmm.
 
  #5  
Old 01-19-2019 | 07:34 AM
Bone Doc's Avatar
Bone Doc
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 12,047
Likes: 10,925
From: Texas, USA
Default

Originally Posted by MNtadpole
Never knew this was a common problem...hmm.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C...71.5iz8s-XCmJM
 
  #6  
Old 01-20-2019 | 01:55 PM
Lok Hang Yung's Avatar
Lok Hang Yung
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

No luck. I tried pulling up the console and loosen up the nut, but it's continuing to turn with the carriage bolt.

I even used a vise grip wrench applying pulling upward and loosing motion, but still no luck.

Does anyone have any other suggestion? Beside splitting the nut or drilling it out?

Here's another foresee issue, let's supposed I successfully get the nut out, don't I still need to replace the carriage bolt & nut? Since it's most likely stripped.

Thanks in advance for everyone's suggestion and feedback. Much appreciated.
 
  #7  
Old 01-20-2019 | 05:59 PM
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,987
Likes: 6,439
From: Beyond Fucital
Default

You're screwed, Get a nut cracker and split the cap nut. The replace the parts as needed.
 
  #8  
Old 01-20-2019 | 06:39 PM
Lok Hang Yung's Avatar
Lok Hang Yung
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Is it necessary to replace the carriage bolt though?
 
  #9  
Old 01-20-2019 | 07:04 PM
RANGER73's Avatar
RANGER73
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Army
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,987
Likes: 6,439
From: Beyond Fucital
Default

Originally Posted by Lok Hang Yung
Is it necessary to replace the carriage bolt though?
Depends on if the nutcracker boogers up the threads. There's a locking nut under the dash that holds the carriage bolt to the dash support
that came loose. Once you get the cap nut off all will be revealed.
 
  #10  
Old 01-20-2019 | 07:14 PM
Lok Hang Yung's Avatar
Lok Hang Yung
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: NY
Default

Sounds good, I will carefully crack that nut, so I won't damage the thread.

Thanks again.
 


Quick Reply: Speedometer / tachometer bolt stuck? Help!



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:33 PM.