Stripped stock muffler bolt

[Cajunrider]

For anyone's information that may run into this minor problem:
I was installing my Chuckster trailer hitch today and upon snugging the last of the 4 bolts on the muffler brackets, one of the bolts stripped. I noticed the last time I pulled the hitch that the threads on this bolt had flattened out some. Let me add, it has never been cross threaded. The other bolt on the same side appeared to be in bad shape also. I went to a local hardware store and picked up two new bolts. I don't remember the length but the bolt diameter is 8mm with 125 pitch threads. I also picked up a tap and chased the threads in the welded nuts on the brackets and the new bolts went in with very little resistance. All good.

[cactusjack]

There but for the grace of God go I...

Sometimes those bolts can be hard to line up with the threaded nuts below. I think I'm on my third set of muffler hanger bolts because the threads tend to bugger up a might.

[macmac]

I use a tapered drift to align these holes and anti seize the bolts, so they won't gaul. With the drift you center the hole you can see, then install a bolt pretty snug. Then check where the drift was. If the hole is off move the muffler and snug more till the last bolt goes in easy.

V&H baggers are not metric either! Do not use oem bolts on V&H.

[sam]

I use a bar against the goat belly to move the muffler so i can line up holes. this will not mess up the threads and you have more leverage. I also agree with mac i love anti seize on any bolt you think you will take off again.

[macmac]

Goat Belly? What is this 'Goat belly'? That thing has been gone so long I forgot what it looked like. I hated that thing with predjuiced.. All it was good for was fryin cheezeburgers.