How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

[Lion hunter]

Mounted my 9.5 kicker today and everything went on fine. Trolled most of the day and when I got ready to take the kicker off one of the clamp screws was cross threaded. It wouldn't budge either direction and I ended up cutting it off and drilling it out for fear that I would bust the stern bracket. Any one ever had this happen? And what do you think is the best fix? The threads don't look to bad I could chase them and install a new screw and hope for the best or, remove the stern bracket and have the hole welded and retapped.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

And does anyone know a good source to get the screws, or are they a johnson item?

 

[wilde1j]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

I would try to get a machine shop to repair with a Helicoil. If the motor is old, try one of the outboard junkyards:

sea-way.com
outboard-parts.com
laingsoutboards.com
tcoutboard.com
fairwindsmarina.com
salvagemarine.com
marinepartsoutlet.com
Superior Marine (800-338-9281)
Trixie?s Landing, Bayville, NJ 732-269-5838
American Outboard www.americanoutboard.com
http://www.piratemarinesalvage.com/
sea-way.com
outboard-parts.com
laingsoutboards.com
tcoutboard.com
fairwindsmarina.com
salvagemarine.com
marinepartsoutlet.com
Superior Marine (800-338-9281)

 

[CATransplant]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

Usually what happens is that the threads corrode, then jam. I can't see how they'd get cross-threaded.

The cure, once you get your new clamp screws is to apply grease to the threads and refresh it once a season. If you're in saltwater, it's essential.

 

[Vic.S]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

Likewise cant see how they could become cross threaded. Galled and seized more likely if they were not kept well greased. If that has happened the thread in the bracket will be damaged!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

I know how. These clamp screws often get neglected of oil

Just about every customer that brought me a motor to fix, have sticky clamp screws. I always shoot a bunch of WD-40 on these and clean the threads out and apply a new shot of oil. Once these go without oil for some time they can start to grind away at each other, like in your case. After a while, the threads give out and act like they're cross threaded. Aluminum breaks down too easy, if it's not lubed properly.

 

[F_R]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

Evinrude dealers, part number 377311, superseded by 433675. Kind of pricy at about $34.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

No salt water and I doubt they corroded as I had only put the thing on a few hrs before and they had anti-seize on them, but none the less, It's Broke Now.

Anyhow I talked with a friend thats a welder and he advised welding as a last resort. Said it could be done but unless its good pure aluminum cast (which most are not) you end up with a bigger mess than you started with. So I guess I'll try the helicoil.

And the $33 bolt about tipped me over!

 

[wilde1j]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

Have a machine shop do the Helicoil job for you, unless you've done a few. Not hard, but also easy to screw up.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

I've done a few on aluminum heads before. I need to get the screw ordered to make sure I get the right size first.

 

[Mas]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

Buy the new/used screws on e-bay. I just bought a pair of NOS for for my 35 hp Lark @ $12.00. You gotta watch a few, they could go for much more!

Mas

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

again... it seems that no one heard me. sheesh.....

forget the antisieze acupucky! Just keep the threads clean and keep oil in them. But keeping things cleaned and oiled is something that escapes a few.

 

[Rick.]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

9.5 screws might be hard to come by. I can,t remember why buy I wanted to take mine off once and discover I couldn't because the little washers are pressed on rather than held on with a bolt like my 9.9's were. Never did figure out how to get the washer off. Mine is a 1973. Rick.

 

[ezeke]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

They are held on by a slotted ring which can be replaced with a steel snap ring. See the thumbnail:

BTW, I've found that BRP Triple Guard Grease will keep these turning rather well.

 

[bill lewinski]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

It just takes a little bit of dirt to mess those threads up.

 

[Rick.]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

ezeke: Man your good. I looked and looked at mine and decided it was a no go. I think I even posted on here and got no help. Could you explain in a bit more detail how you got it apart and what is a steel slotted ring and a steel snap ring? I sure would appreciate it. Rick.

 

[Jet Star]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

was it copper antseize? aparently copper will cause aliminum to corrode

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

It was aluminum anti-seize and I could actually turn it 1 or 2 turns each way and then it would bind. Oh well stuff happens, I'll just use oil next time.

 

[ezeke]

Re: How in the world does a clamp screw cross thread?

To Rick: There are a variety of external retaining rings that will work; scroll down this site to get some ideas: http://www.arconring.com/retainingrings.htm