GTX Limited Scoop Grate bolt sheared off

[tommyadrian5]

I removed my scoop grate to reseal the area around the front contact point, and when I removed it I noticed that one of the bolts had been sheared off right at the entrance to the fiberglass. I went to try to unscrew it from the inside of the boat but that end broke off too, leaving the shaft of the bolt stuck in the hole through the hull, with both ends flush to the hull. Has anybody had this happen before, and what should I do. Is it ok to only have three bolts holding the scoop grate on (2 rear one front), especially since it is a part getting held up through pump pressure as well. I tried drilling through the broken bolt with no luck. Should I try drilling a new hole through the grate and the hull to run a new bolt through, or just leave it as is.

[Bill O'Neal]

You need to repair it. Your life may be at risk if you don't.

Just ask the widow in Texas that sued SD and now all limiteds have two through bolts with nuts and washers on the inside of the hull. The pump does not suck it up and hold it in there at all. It tries to drop in the front when at speed and if it does, look out. The boat can do real weird things with a scoop hanging down at 60 mph.

Your mistake was thinking it needed sealing at the front anyway. It doesn't.

[tommyadrian5]

well the bolt was broken off before i tried to take it off so i guess it was good that i did, how do you recommend i go about solving this problem.

[Technical Support]

You will need to drill it out, and use a new bolt with washer & nut - and I would use some fiberglass repair resin on the inside.

[tommyadrian5]

I tried to drill it out to no avail, kept slipping off the bolt and drilling the fiberglass around it, is there some trick to drilling it out, special drill bit or something else.

[Technical Support]

You need to use a center punch and progress up the bit sizes.

[Bill O'Neal]

I use a new 1/8th inch drill bit, then a little larger bit. If done right, you can work whats left out of the threads and reuse the threaded part for the new bolt.

If you allready messed it up badly, just do the best that you can.

WEAR EYE PROTECTION when drilling.

[ April 30, 2003, 10:36 PM: Message edited by: Bill O'Neal ]