Shop Side panel removal

[Gcclubs]

So got the call today that shop couldn't remove one of the bolts holding on left side panel as it was supposedly cross threaded or some other issue. They had to drill out the bolt and now some parts are on order. Not exactly sure what but have to wait a week. It is covered under warranty but an irritant none the less. Couple questions
1 when bike is assembled at the dealership do they put the panels on or do they come installed from the factory? Curious if shop or factory buggered it up
2 have others found the bolts difficult to remove? Just wondering for the future if any hints

[PMK]

So got the call today that shop couldn't remove one of the bolts holding on left side panel as it was supposedly cross threaded or some other issue. They had to drill out the bolt and now some parts are on order. Not exactly sure what but have to wait a week. It is covered under warranty but an irritant none the less. Couple questions
1 when bike is assembled at the dealership do they put the panels on or do they come installed from the factory? Curious if shop or factory buggered it up
2 have others found the bolts difficult to remove? Just wondering for the future if any hints

Sometimes the thread lock is too good and glues the brass insert to the screw. It they use hand tools the first time removed, typically no issues. If they use a powered driver the insert can spin free in the plastic.

Or when assembled new, the screw was crossed.

[Hatter]

At SpyderFest, SpyderPops had the same problem with my wife's F3-T. I don' remember exactly how he fixed it (plastic weld?)
I spoke with a BRP rep who was at Pitbull's. I specifically asked if this was covered under warranty. He did not give me a definitive answer. however, he thought it would be covered if the issue arose upon removal of the screw. I will talk to my dealer and go from there.

[jcthorne]

Its one of those items that is hard to determine the original cause but its usually from the bolt getting cross threaded in the soft brass insert. If BRP is willing to replace the part the insert is in with a new one then great.

If its on your nickle, there are time serts to repair the thread stronger than new. Have had to do a few. The side panels on the F3 are a bit trickier to install than the other bikes and the smaller (M5) bolts easier to cross thread. We only hand install those 4 bolts on each side for this reason. No power tools for install.

[Gcclubs]

Its one of those items that is hard to determine the original cause but its usually from the bolt getting cross threaded in the soft brass insert. If BRP is willing to replace the part the insert is in with a new one then great.

If its on your nickle, there are time serts to repair the thread stronger than new. Have had to do a few. The side panels on the F3 are a bit trickier to install than the other bikes and the smaller (M5) bolts easier to cross thread. We only hand install those 4 bolts on each side for this reason. No power tools for install.

Good news is that it is being covered on warranty. So is it the insert that is likely being replaced?

[jcthorne]

Good news is that it is being covered on warranty. So is it the insert that is likely being replaced?

No,
BRP will replace the part the insert is in.

[Hatter]

Let me clarify. The rep did not say it will be a covered issue. He equivocated. It "might" be covered if it happened upon removal. It would not be covered if it happened when screwed in. Sorry, I didn't intend to mislead.

[SpyderNeil]

So got the call today that shop couldn't remove one of the bolts holding on left side panel as it was supposedly cross threaded or some other issue. They had to drill out the bolt and now some parts are on order. Not exactly sure what but have to wait a week. It is covered under warranty but an irritant none the less. Couple questions
1 when bike is assembled at the dealership do they put the panels on or do they come installed from the factory? Curious if shop or factory buggered it up
2 have others found the bolts difficult to remove? Just wondering for the future if any hints

The thread locker can be pretty thick.
Lamonster did a video on this very subject. The F3 lineup is prone to trouble with this very issue and he recommended removing the thread locker from the screws. I did just that the first time I removed the panels and now there is no problems.

Neil (formerly from Edmonton)

[Gcclubs]

The thread locker can be pretty thick.
Lamonster did a video on this very subject. The F3 lineup is prone to trouble with this very issue and he recommended removing the thread locker from the screws. I did just that the first time I removed the panels and now there is no problems.

Neil (formerly from Edmonton)

Do you have a link to the video. I can't seem to find it anywhere

[monkeyboymorton]

Mine were extremely tight the first time I removed them but have been fine since. I'm careful not to overtighten them when refitting.

[TexasMule]

TXSpyderGirl's F3T had the same issue. Seems that a tech at PB got a little over zealous with an impact driver
and cross threaded both bolts on the left hand side of the bike. One was totally munged up (lucky I got it off)
and the other was "just" cross threaded.

I had to drill out both brass inserts and put in a couple BMW squeeze nutserts and added JB Weld for added security.

Brass nuts are very susceptible to cross threading, and if someone is in a rush it's easy to do.

Was not a happy camper since the bike was 3 weeks old.

and no, you just can't buy the brass inserts, you need to purchase the entire plastic piece.

[SpyderF3]

I just ran a die over the screws and a tap in the threads to clean them

[SpyderNeil]

Do you have a link to the video. I can't seem to find it anywhere

Here you go:

https://www.facebook.com/lamonster.s...4993944210542/

Neil

[Marker]

The side panels are assembled at factory. The only thing that dealer assembles is putting wheels on and hooking up battery cables and getting engine running and programmed with BUDS2 system.
The new locktite that factory is using is BLUE in colour and the factory is usung too much causing bolts to not be removed easy at dealership.
The dealership I use heats up the bolts to be removed with a micro butane torch to remove bolts. If the bolts are not heated up prior to removal the bolt heads are usually stripped out

[TexasMule]

The side panels are assembled at factory. The only thing that dealer assembles is putting wheels on and hooking up battery cables and getting engine running and programmed with BUDS2 system.

Unless of course you get the PitBull Powersports package, and they remove the panels to apply carbon fiber. Trust me PB removed the panels.