Skid Plate Fell Off....

[RichF7]

My skid plate fell off my Apex last year and stripped the holes so now it won't stay on. Anyone have any ideas how to fasten this back on my sled?

 

[RTX]

i had to repair mine a few seasons ago. if i remember correctly the skid plate is held on with rivnuts.
use a grinder or dremel to grind off the head of the rivnut. usa a punch to tap the remaining rivnut out of the hole. go to mcmaster.com and buy the correct rivnut and reinstall. if you still have the rivnut tool you used to install the skidplate u can reuse it if you buy the same size rivnuts. if you dont have the tool, mcmaster sells them too.
good luck

 

[SXlover]

I got rid of the rivnuts. I went to my local hardware store and bought some rubber things. I'm not exactly sure what they are called but when you tighten the screw down the tops of them will smash down and expand out. Works great!!

 

[Ak Yammy]

^^^They are called a wellnut. My '91 Polaris RXL had one to check the chaincase oil. Thats a great idea Im going to try to track some down as mine likes to fall off also.

 

[gun nut]

skid plate

I drilled 1/4 " holes, and used lag bolts.

 

[Sled Dog]

Re: skid plate

I drilled 1/4 " holes, and used lag bolts.

I did the same thing installed with blue loctite.

 

[ZapeX2]

Yep, I tapped mine and used bolts, I have heard the wellnuts work fine though...

 

[Snowmobileaddict]

Carefuly enlarged the holes on mine and went with some beefy well-nuts.

 

[RichF7]

Thanks fellas, I'm gonna give the wellnuts a try, they seem like they should work.

 

[maim]

we tapped the holes on mine and used bolts with washers as well.

 

[SXlover]

Yea that's it, wellnuts. I've been running these for about 2 years now. I've put them in 2 different Apex Mtns (1 with Skinz skidplate) and also a Vector Mtn. Have yet to have any issues with them.

 

[FJR1300]

I use the rivnuts put add JB Weld, to make sure they stay in.

 

[Irv]

I use the rivnuts put add JB Weld, to make sure they stay in.

When I installed mine I used some good Permatex silicone around them first before I tightened them down.
When I was tightening them down you could see the silicone ooze out on the outside so I knew they were covered well and would definitely help them stay in place.

So far so good but I did loose one screw/bolt last year, not the rivnut but the screw.
Any tips on helping them stay in place? I was thinking of some small lock washers but I didn't want to put any undue stress on the rivnuts?

 

[Super Sled]

Hey Irv, could try using some Loc Tite blue. It's only a mild hold, so dont need heat to unlock them (usually).

 

[VectorLTX2012]

The skid plate everyone is discussion are the ones that are removable or mounted permanently? I have this one on order with mounting hardware allows for quick, easy removal of plate.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/acces ... etail.aspx

Chester