[WVeeStrom]

I was washing the scoot this morning and noticed that the throttle-side front fender mounting hole had enlarged itself pretty substantially. It looks like the mounting bolt got extremely hot and simply melted the plastic. Actually, it looks likes a pretty decent bead from an arc welder.

Does anyone have any ideas what might have happened? And how I might prevent it from occurring again after I replace it?

 

[greywolf]

I'll guess chemical rather than heat. Brake fluid and Loctite come to mind. Of course, heat is often used to soften Loctite.

Did that jog your memory or was there a previous owner? If new, it could be a dealer setup issue too. An '11 should be under warranty if you didn't do something there.

 

[WVeeStrom]

Thanks, Pat.

Yeah, I considered Loctite, but then talked myself out of it. Because (a) I use it often, but sparingly - I'd have used maybe 2 - 3 drops here; and (b) I had no idea it would be so volatile. I don't specifically recall getting Loctite on the piece, but it makes sense.

I'll do some experimentation once I get the !!!$200!!!! replacement fender. Thanks again.

 

[greywolf]

Never use a thread locker on a bolt that holds on plastic. The bolt isn't stressed enough to need it and Loctite is murder on plastic.