1998 GSXL Intake Grate Bolt Removal

[Kuzma823]

I recently bought a 1998 GSXL (not 1997.5) and I have been fixing it up to get it ready for the season. The ski had the intake grate ripped off (no idea how) and the front bolts broke off and are still in the hull. I was just going to use a drill bit and extractor to pull them out but then I found out this ski does not have the bolts screwed into the hull. This model has the bolts pass through the hull to nuts on the inside of the hull. I am curious if anyone knows if there is some kind of bracket that keeps the nuts inside from spinning, or if the sealant might have the strength to keep the nuts in place, so that I can just extract them the way I was planning to.

Otherwise, I have to unseal the nuts extract the bolts, replace the hardware and reseal everything up. I am more concerned about resealing everything than the rest of the process. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Minnetonka4me]

I have yet to do one, but I know you need to dig into the sealant. I am fairly sure there are 2 nuts in there.

Someone was prob gonna put an aftermarket one in there and busted off the bolts not knowing you cant just take them out.

I read that it was b/c of a huge lawsuit over someone losing control after the intake grate came off and died...still scratching my head on that one..

 

[Kuzma823]

Thanks for the reply, looks like I have a PITA ahead of me. I was worried about the 1 in a million chance someone got a body part caught in the impeller and here it might be more dangerous to put the grate back on!

 

[LouDoo]

Might be the Govt. thougt you might cause the extencsion of the snail darter or something!!!!

While I can't offer you a lot of advise short of drilling out the holes, filling them, and redrilling and using new stainless bolts and locknuts, I have found a great product for sealing the holes. It's Locktite Marine Epoxy, its two parts in a single tube, I think it was less than $10.00, and it even matches the hull color.

Lou

 

[Kuzma823]

Thanks Lou. I will look to see if I my local shop carries the epoxy!

 

[LouDoo]

Thanks Lou. I will look to see if I my local shop carries the epoxy!

I forgot to mention, got it at Lowes.

Lou