Snapped engine Bolt!

**OogieBoogie** · 02 Jun 08, 12:47 PM

Hi all,

I stripped off all the plastics, with the intention of starting a minor service the ST2 on Saturday, got as far as changing the Fuel and Air filters, then as I was still waiting for my crank turning tool to arrive (so couldn't easily check the valve clearances) thought I'd just do a bit of cleaning and checking fasteners etc.

Bloody good job I did, as when I pulled out the rubber bung from the rear engine mounts I was greeted with the nut laying in the frame recess, Hmmm? must have worked itself loose I thought. But no, on closer inspection it had sheared clean off a couple of mil below the nut!! Bugger, damn and blast!!

.

What should have been half a service, a quick clean and throw it back togerther in time for a nice saturday evening blat, has now turned into a folorn looking stripped down ST2 waiting for new engine mounting bolts to arrive.

.

My local Ducati dealer (St Neots M/cs) didn't have any in stock. Just hope there are some in the country! Don't want her laid up for weeks waiting for a couple of bolts.

So my advice to anyone with an old(ish) ST2 or 4 is to check these bolts regularly, I've no idea how long this bolt has been broken, I do know it was OK a couple of thousand miles (6 months) ago. I didn't feel any deterioration in handling or feel extra vibes as you might expect with 1 (of only 2) engine bolts broken.

Has anyone else had either of these bolts snap?

**Trevor** · 02 Jun 08, 01:08 PM

Cheers for the heads up OogieBoogie. Don't have any plastic bungs on my bike so it's not a problem to look at them tonight, but just go's to show how things can happen without any warning signs until it's too late.

Trevor

**Ghost** · 02 Jun 08, 01:11 PM

Bolt is prob just a basic 8.8 grade go to a fastener outlet and upgrade to a 10.9

**nogaromill999** · 02 Jun 08, 02:12 PM

My local hardware stockist holds stainless bolts and my DD racer regularly snaps them off. Well, it has snapped both front bolts off once ! At different times.

**Douglas** · 02 Jun 08, 02:16 PM

David

Thats your problem! Stainless is not high tensile, and IMHO is not suitable for that sort of application.

As hinted at by Phil, I would fit some 10.9 High Tensile steel bolts.

**nogaromill999** · 02 Jun 08, 02:18 PM

Then thats what shall happen Douglas........when and if I can ever get the remains of the present snapped one out !

**OogieBoogie** · 02 Jun 08, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogaromill999

Then thats what shall happen Douglas........when and if I can ever get the remains of the present snapped one out !

David, From your comment above I'm guessing they're buggers to get out...is that the case?

stu.

**nogaromill999** · 02 Jun 08, 02:27 PM

Not usually Stu, but mine happen to have a crash bung on, and its snapped in such a way as I cant get the ally base to the bung off what remains of the bolt stem to drill out........

**Ghost** · 02 Jun 08, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogaromill999

Not usually Stu, but mine happen to have a crash bung on, and its snapped in such a way as I cant get the ally base to the bung off what remains of the bolt stem to drill out........

LOL you need a man who can.

**nogaromill999** · 02 Jun 08, 02:33 PM

And I know just the man who can dont I Phil ! See you at Brands !

**OogieBoogie** · 02 Jun 08, 02:41 PM

I suppose ordering OE Ducati bolts is probably not the smartest choice at around £12 apiece. Probably would have found my local fastener specialist would do them for a fraction of that price.

**Ghost** · 02 Jun 08, 02:41 PM

I'm looking forward to having a blast with everyone at Brands, I have never ridden it but have been many times. So it doesn't bother me like Pembrey is.

Just watch that brake lever as you come out of the slipstream.

**Rob998** · 02 Jun 08, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OogieBoogie

I suppose ordering OE Ducati bolts is probably not the smartest choice at around £12 apiece. Probably would have found my local fastener specialist would do them for a fraction of that price.

Orders can be cancelled, OogieBoogie!

**Ghost** · 02 Jun 08, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OogieBoogie

I suppose ordering OE Ducati bolts is probably not the smartest choice at around £12 apiece. Probably would have found my local fastener specialist would do them for a fraction of that price.

Yes make sure that you get bolts and not sets. i.e not threaded to the head.

Just had a thought if they are a caphead bolt they allready will be 10.9 grade.