Yamaha Ultra plate problem

[big_red1a]

I have had the yamaha ultra plate installed on my apex for one season. I have 2 problems;
The skid plate is just short enough that everything catches and damages the front heat exchanger (bad design)
The anchors do not last they seem to always fall out if you tighten them more they strip.

Has anyone found a better anchor for mounting these plates or a better plate that is 1.5" longer?

 

[Another Phase]

I have one of these on order. Is there anything I can do ahead of time to make it fit better prior to installing?

 

[Yamahammer485]

Yes, make a custom setup that you dont need to use the riv-nuts that come with the kit. If you dont know what they are, they are one of the worst fastner ever and should be banned! This is why everyone has problems with their skid plates.

I would suggest not even drilling out the stock bulkhead rivets (where the kit wants them to go) and just drilling one hole directly beside the each of rivets, then tapping that hole. Then just use the screwbolt that comes with the kit to secure the plate. You will have to drill new holes in the plastic plate too.

For the back holes (close to heat exchanger), After getting up under the sled and looking in through the bottom access panel, there is just flat aluminum with no danger of other parts besides the oil hoses, so dont drill too deep! For the front holes, you might want to double check, but it should be okay to drill. The way to do that is by looking in through the top, like when you change your oil filter with the airbox and battery tray removed.

The two holes in the front are fine to use, they reuse the factory mounts.

 

[sobfrogg]

I belive we use a 25/64th drill bit. It measures 9.9mm. Just a tad small. We have never had on strip or put out using this bit.
Matco sells a tool just for installing these. Just like a rivit gun. Napa sells them also.

 

[CaptCaper]

How did you make out? I got a skid plate off ebay with out hardware so I have to make a decision to get a kit from Yami or drill and tap,etc.

 

[**sj**]

dont think its the short design that is affecting your heat exchanger...most likely ice chunks breaking loose and being thrown in..

I used oversized rubber well nuts and screws...

 

[Blue Dave]

I used the hardware (riv-nuts) that came with my Yamaha skid plate and the installation went fine except for having to enlarge the holes in the skid plate slightly to properly align it. I have had the skid plate off and on a few times since with no problems.

 

[LJ 452]

I've used the one's that came with the plate. They work fine as long as you are carefull and get them tight when installing them. As for the bolts backing out, I used blue lock-tite and never had an issue. A friend damaged one of his rivnuts when installing, I have steel (automotive style) which have a hex at the base. We hade to file the hex in the hole but, they seem to be holding up very well. Obviously the steel is stronger and less likely to strip. Again use some lock-tite and as mentioned over drill the holes in the plate itself. I had to worm hole mine on the Apex, hen I just put larger washers (stainless everything) and you couldn't tell. It also allows you to better align it, and less chance of damage (crossthreading) the rivnuts.