stripped a bolt on left engine guard

[giff]

Hi to all, I was just putting on the new left engine guard and I must have overtightened the long lower bolt that has the spacer. About 3/8 of an inch at the end is stripped off[no threads]. Do you think that just buying a new bolt will fix it ? Are the threads on the frame stronger? If not ,any suggestions?
                                                                                giff

[GOOSE]

giff....i too did the same thing on mine a couple of years ago......i tried the "a little longer bolt" deal, but for me it didn't work out well.  i ended up having to put a thread insert in, and that took care of my problem.  i'm sure that there will be somebody else on here that will come back with a better way to solve this problem.  this board really does have some talented people on it

[R J]

Install a Heli-Coil in the hole and your problem is gone....

Now, this time, do not over tighten.

[Jess from VA]

I boogered one up a little with no overtightening.  The guard bar did not line up exactly with the hole, and it was a bear to try to hold it lined up and work the wrench too.  Mine started straight but got a little cross threaded near the end... I just tightened it down carefully and will worry if I ever have to take it off.

I should have loosened all the bolts up and then tightened them up a little at a time (like valve covers).

[GOOSE]

what jess said is the only way to put them on......a little at a time.