Swing arm pivot bolt stuck halfway out, don't want to strip the threads

[Guest]

I have a GS1100gk I've been slowly working on, and I've been running into the issue that many of the threads of the bolts on the bike are stripping out, ruining parts left and right for me, its been a real PIA. I am in the process of removing the swing arm to facilitate engine removal. Got the left side pivot bolt out no problem at all, then started wrenching on the right side. Came about about .5" no problem, then it started to feel like the threads were getting crossed.... Uh oh!

I've already dealt with this issue way too many times on this bike, I need to take the engine to a machine shop to remove an intake manifold bolt that broke off, and remove some of the bolts holding the engine onto the frame. I figured it would be easier to do it with the rear swing arm off, however I'm running into more frozen bolts. Any suggestions as to how to remove this sucker? I haven't torqued too hard on it for fear of damaging the threads on the frame (what would be the consequences of that? Helicoils?). Any help is greatly appreciated, its sitting right now with half a can of PB on it. Maybe some heat?

Thanks!

[mrbill5491]

I have a GS1100gk I've been slowly working on, and I've been running into the issue that many of the threads of the bolts on the bike are stripping out, ruining parts left and right for me, its been a real PIA. I am in the process of removing the swing arm to facilitate engine removal. Got the left side pivot bolt out no problem at all, then started wrenching on the right side. Came about about .5" no problem, then it started to feel like the threads were getting crossed.... Uh oh!

I've already dealt with this issue way too many times on this bike, I need to take the engine to a machine shop to remove an intake manifold bolt that broke off, and remove some of the bolts holding the engine onto the frame. I figured it would be easier to do it with the rear swing arm off, however I'm running into more frozen bolts. Any suggestions as to how to remove this sucker? I haven't torqued too hard on it for fear of damaging the threads on the frame (what would be the consequences of that? Helicoils?). Any help is greatly appreciated, its sitting right now with half a can of PB on it. Maybe some heat?

Thanks!

Have you got something under it to take any weight or pressure off the bolt?

[bwringer]

With one side completely out and the other backed out 1/2" or so, it seems you should have enough room to remove the swingarm. I couldn't swear to that, though, and the bike isn't in front of me. And maybe you've already done that.

The thing to do would be to screw the pivot bolt back in as far as you can and do what you can to reach in between the frame and swingarm to clean up and/or lube the corroded and boogered up threads. They're steel on steel threads, so even if they're rusted this process should eventually work without causing permanent damage. Screw it out until it stops (but don't force anything), screw it back in, clean off the corrosion and douse the threads, repeat.

[urbnbrzln]

Have you got something under it to take any weight or pressure off the bolt?

I didn't think to put anything underneath to support it, right now I have the rear wheel up in the air on a stand going across the axle, no centerstand. I'll try supporting it with a car jack and see if it helps.

[allojohn]

Just checking here, you have removed the rear wheel from the swinger, right?

[mrbill5491]

Just checking here, you have removed the rear wheel from the swinger, right?

Good point, for me it would have been the first thing to come before working on the swing arm.

[allojohn]

Good point, for me it would have been the first thing to come before working on the swing arm.

Me too, but it's not clear he has....

[urbnbrzln]

Me too, but it's not clear he has....

I had not removed the rear wheel! As soon as I did, the pivot bolts came right off. About half a pound of rust poured out the side (!), haven't had a chance to thoroughly inspect all the parts yet, but it appears that the bearing on the right side was completely seized up, definitely replacing both. Now time to remove the engine. The shaft drive is still attached to the engine, I thought it would have come off with the swing arm, do I need to remove this before engine removal? Haven't seen any mention of it in the repair manual, other than the mention to remove the 4 shaft drive bolts, which I did already.

Thanks for your help and wisdom!
-Tom

[allojohn]

It's usually the left bearing that seizes as that's where the water goes when on the side stand. I've never pulled a shafty apart but I would say it'll be difficult to remove the engine without removing the drive. Others will chime in.

[bwringer]

It's probably possible to remove the engine without unbolting the shaft, but I can't imagine why you'd want to try. It's simply bolted to the drive flange with four bolts. If you've already removed these bolts, then it may be a little stuck with rust. It should come loose with a few taps.

Word of warning -- these are special hardened bolts. Do NOT replace them with anything else. When you reinstall them, use Loctite.

[urbnbrzln]

It's probably possible to remove the engine without unbolting the shaft, but I can't imagine why you'd want to try. It's simply bolted to the drive flange with four bolts. If you've already removed these bolts, then it may be a little stuck with rust. It should come loose with a few taps.

Word of warning -- these are special hardened bolts. Do NOT replace them with anything else. When you reinstall them, use Loctite.

Yeah, a little prying with a screwdriver and it popped right off, scratched the mating surface a bit, probably just need to sand it down flat. Now attempting to remove engine, quite a feat. Thanks for the warning bwringer, definitely keeping that in mind. I'm trying to lay it down flat on a mattress and pull the frame off, might need a couple extra hands....

I'll keep the progress updated. Thanks again folks!