Problem "rear guard"

[rsvsteve]

Has anyone had a problem removing the screws that hold down the standard rear guard.... It seems like the previouse owner of my mille has cos the screws look like they have been snapped off trying to get them out, so what im left with is 4 headless screws sticking out the swing arm :dunno.

Id like to put back the standard guard but how the hell do i begin to try and remove the screws as all attempts to remove them have failed :uhoh .
Any ideas and help please.....:thumbup

[millersvr69]

Hello buddy, they are prone to snapping/shearing off and believe the only way to do it is remove the swingarm, and drill and re tap them :confused

Speak to Don or Andy at Southern Cross Aprilia - Kilburn, London. They may have an easier solution.

You can thank the previous owner :jack If you do get it sorted, its always best to put a blob of copper slip on the bolts before replacing so they come out next time :thumbup

Cheers, hope this helps mate! :thumbup:biggrin

[rsvsteve]

Ok cheers:thumbup... I'll try and get something sorted or priced up, but if its going to cost a fortune i'll just live without the rear guard :bawling,although its going to be a pain cleaning all the crud off the shock time after time.
Thanks for the help and advice m8..:thumbup

[rs3 mille]

mate i have one snapped aswell and have glued my hugger to swingarm thats why dream machine wouldn't touch my rear hugger common problem expensive to sort out though! swingarm off so they can drill them out properly! absolute nightmare:dunno

[TarkMalbot]

how far sticking out are they? Is there no way of getting hold of them with some mole grips? Have you soaked them in realeasing oil before starting? Clean them up then use Metal weld glue on the ends of the tread and stick a T bar to them or something. I woudl just try everything possible to avoid taking the swing arm off.

[rsvsteve]

Ive tried mole grips but only 2 of them are sticking out a couple of mill and the other 2 are flush with the swingarm:eek:.
What did you stick your guard down with rs3 ?? I guess its a cheaper option and i wont be taking it off again anyway :roll

[02Aprilia]

Try using a right angle drill w/ a stubby bit. DO NOT try to use a screw extractor as one that small of a diameter will likely snap off and then you are fucked since they are hardened tool steel and impossible to drill out. You ought to be able to get in there w/o removing anything and then rethread it w/ a tap and standard handle instead of a T handle. I was able to.

[Badger]

If you needed to get easier access you could put a good quality ratchet tie over a roof joist in your garage, round the rear subframe rail and suspend it from the roof joist, take the wheel out, take the shock bottom linkage off and this will allow the swingarm to drop right down, the higher you raise the bike the lower it will be, obviously you need to take care when doing this, get the front onto a paddock stand and the rear onto a paddock stand before you start lifting the rear with the ratchet strap.

The other guys have covered other options, depends how adaptable you are mate at DIY stuff i suppose and what tools you have access to, the allen bolts they fit are made from plated cottage cheese :mad:

[DaveRSV]

If you can get reasonable access to the bolts as suggested by Badger you can always try tapping the threads undone with a hammer and centre punch. The idea is to have the punch at an angle where it will bite into the thread but also apply torque or turning motion to the thread. The combination of torque and impact often shifts threads such as these. You do need reasonable access and patience though.

[rsvchris]

Hi Steve,

I had the same problem with my 2000 Mille, I took the rear wheel out and bottom rear shock linkage out whilst hoisting it from the roof of the garage like Badger said. Had enough access to drill the stubs out starting with a 2mm drill bit and then re-tapping the holes. Worked a treat...

Use plenty of copperseize stuff on the screws when you put them back in if not they will seize up again.

[rsvsteve]

That sounds like a bit of a chore but i will be trying to take the studs out through the winter months an no doubt let you know how it goes. Cheers :thumbup

[rsvsteve]

Boy im going to be busy over winter .

1. Air box mod.

2. Spraying me red and blue bits BLACK :yes

3. Writing to santa , Ohlins..Rearsets..High level exhaust :drool:drool:drool

4. Stud extraction.

5. Sprocket conversion

Keep me busy for a while :thumbup