Hit a rock help

[sheeban]

Well unfortunetly I found a big rock last trip on the 98 rmk. It does not appear to have bent the traling arm but it did bend the rear bolt mount about 2 inches up and bent the running board way down. The belly is now bulged out also. Im afraid that if i just hammer everything back the mounting bolt bracket will break. Any suggestions would be appreacted.

 

[X2Freeride]

If it bent all that chances are the bulkhead is probably toast.

 

[sheeban]

That is not what I wanted to hear I'm gonna pull her apart and try to stainten things out I hope. The foot well is in sad shape also sucks season just started and I could be out for a while

 

[retiredpop]

My son did a number on his similar to yours so I know you can hammer it back okay without breaking it but it will be weak for the next time. The footrest is a replaceable item so you can go that route if you want. The problem is that the rivet holes in the tunnel and running board where the footrest mounts will be elongated as well. I had to make a reinforcement plate out of 1/8" aluminum to strengthen the area and also provide a place for new rivet holes and then replaced the footrest assembly. He never had an issue after that.

 

[sheeban]

So did you just bend the mounting bolt hole down to the orignal location with no problems?

 

[theultrarider]

So did you just bend the mounting bolt hole down to the orignal location with no problems?

That is part of the footwell assembly. I have changed out way too many of those lol. Like was said above, they are a pia to drill out all the rivets and to replace. And like said above also, you will most likely end up with oversize holes so make sure to make a backing plate to go underneath the running board. This will keep your rivets nice and tight, and will beef it up so it wont bend quite so easy NEXT time you tap into a hidden object.

 

[retiredpop]

So did you just bend the mounting bolt hole down to the orignal location with no problems?

If you are going to attempt to reuse the footrest then remove the rear trailing arm bolt and let the arm drop down. Then reinsert the bolt back into the mount. Get a chunk of 2x4 and have someone hold it on the bolt. Hit the 2x4 with a good sized sledge hammer to drive the bolt back down in the direction to where it should be. Don't be afraid to give it a good whack. After it lines up to the original hole in the plastic remove the bolt and replace it with a new one.

 

[sheeban]

Thanks for the advice I pulled it in the shop today gonna see what some hammering will do. Do the newer rmks like 03s bend that easy also, because its not like hit the rock that hard.