Gas tank bolt just spinning.

[alexGS550]

I'm trying to take the tank of my 1980 GS550. But the bolt underneath the seat just spins in place. I've tried getting pressure behind it but got nowhere. If I just cut the head of the bolt off will I be able to tap the bolt out?

[terrylee]

See if you can get it to go in rather than out since head is gone, then tap with next larger bolt size. terrylee

[alexGS550]

I tried tightening it as well. Either the threads are stripped inside the bolt or the nut on tank came unwelded. I need to replace the petcock and can't get it out without pulling the tank.

[Steve]

Either the threads are stripped inside the bolt or the nut on tank came unwelded.

There is no "nut on tank" here. The hole in the frame is threaded to accept the bolt.

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[alexGS550]

So essentially I could just cut the bolt off and slide the tank off, then use like an easy out to get the rest of the bolt out. Then retap the threads?

[chuck hahn]

That would work

[MisterCinders]

So essentially I could just cut the bolt off and slide the tank off, then use like an easy out to get the rest of the bolt out. Then retap the threads?

Don't use an EZ-Out. Use a lefty bit instead. If the EZ-Out breaks (and it will), you'll never get it out of there.

[chuck hahn]

Get the tank off first and see if the welded nut has come off. If so, grip it with needle nosed vice grips or an open end wrench that will grip the square nut and remove whats left of the bolt with vice grips. Put another bolt in and tighten it in place to hold the nut where it goes and reweld the nut in. should be good to go at that point.