Motor Mount Screw destroyed threading inside the motor

Has anyone ever experienced this scenario:

I was cruising and started hearing a rattling noise from one of my motors. When I finally had enough of the sound I removed the guard plate for the drive belt and noticed that 1 of the motor mount screws was very loose. Upon closer examination, I noticed that the screw couldn't be tightened because the threading in the motor was shredded to bits. Fortunately, it only happened to one of the screw slots, so I am hoping that the remaining 3 screws remain intact with the motor. I haven't taken it for a ride since diagnosing the issue, but I will be taking a few cruises on it this week and will update with more information. I spoke to Alex, I believe is his name, at Evolves USA headquarters, and he was not only very polite and nice, but said that he would figure out a solution for me since I only purchased the board about a month ago.

 

IF anyone knows how to repair the threading in the motor so the screw will tighten properly I am open to any suggestions.!

 

Wouldn't the EZ and correct solution for Evolve to do is to mail you out a new motor-mount and screw?

 

The motor threading was destroyed not the mount. The mount is fine.

 

I would need a new motor unless there is a way to fix the threading on the motor. ... seems unlikely

 

You could re tap the screw, but with the kind of use these boards get might be best to get a new motor. Prices in AUS are $189 per motor.

 

Hey mate, I know how you can fix it. use epoxy metal, drill the hole say 2 mm diameter bigger put the epoxy metal into the newly drilled hole. push / thread the bolt into the the epoxy exactly where is is meant to sit and then let the epoxy set.

Alternatively you can fill the hole with epoxy, let it sure then re-tap it.

If you don't change set ups that regularly i think it should be fine and will last a good amount of time.

Which thread is buggered? 3 bolts would probably suffice anyway, just keep an eye on them and use medium strength loctite.

That part of the motor where the threads are is the piece with all of the copper winding etc on the inside of it, this piece is the main component part of the motor. it would be a case of repair or replace unfortunately for the whole unit.

Give it a try with 3 bolts and take it easy, also see how comfortable you are to skate knowing you are missing one, it's knackered at the moment and can't really get any worse...

If you want to sell the damaged motor let me know as i may be interested in buying it.

 

Which bolt was it? You definitely don't need the motor plate motor bolt closest to the wheel at all. It's totally unnecessary and without it it's then possible to adjust belt tension with the wheels still on on the fly.
The other three are necessary if it was one of them. (Rear, top and bottom)

 

It's the the bolt closest to the wheel. The rear, top and bottom are still fine but I am worried that they will eventually fail as well. Maybe I'm freaking out too much about it, but since I just bought it I was super pissed. Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm waiting to hear back from evolve on the issue. Maybe it's covered with my warranty and they can send me a replacement motor or something.

 

What brand of epoxy would you recommend? I will probably do that if evolve doesn't help me out with it.

 

I just purchased this epoxy brand on amazon. Only 5 dollars. Will try that out monday to see if that works. Will update then.

 

Good chance they will send you a replacement motor, but yea man i wouldn't stress too much. The motors are aluminum so its always a danger when tightening down, especially with the design when it allows for so much swapping and changing...just be sure to make sure the bolts are always clean before you tighten them up,l any debris will tear up the aluminum

4 bolts would be nice, it's lucky the fact you threaded the closest to the wheel, that doesn't really have all that much benefit of being in there!

See example of metal epoxy... With this stuff, fill the hole and re-tap. you may have dramas getting the bolt back out if you epoxy it in there to start with, unless you coat the bolt with WD-40 or something to stop it bonding to the epoxy if that makes sense... like a pie in a tin haha.. Do a bit of an experiment. there will be more than enough to have a go with..

You should be able to get this stuff from local hardware store. It sets rock hard and can be drilled and tapped etc etc.

 

The Loctite you have bought is NOT epoxy, it's just a thread locker, to make sure nothing comes loose with vibrations etc

 

I wouldn't put epoxy in it, to much chance of stuffing it up and then you may find getting a replacement under warranty difficult. If the thread was stuffed from the factory then it should be covered under warranty.

 

Yea, good point about the warranty. Maybe check with Evolve on that.

If they aren't wiling to swap a motor out then the epoxy would be a good alternative!

 

Smeril24 -- you mentioned you just got this board, correct? Did you ever mess with those screws or change the belt tension?

 

Hey thanks everyone for the feedback. I am going to hold off on using anything to try to fix it until I hear back from evolve. Good point about the warranty. I am sure evolve will make good on it. They seem like a very legit company and I spoke to Alex and he said this week I would be able to figure it out. Ass for messing with the screws, I only took a look when I heard the noise. I haven't messed around with it at all. When I saw the front screw loose I tried to tighten in but it wouldn't because the threading was gone.

 

Ok, push on Evolve that you want this defect addressed ASAP. I'm sure its cheap low grade bolts made by a Chinese company. You may want to put a harden bolt in there next time, even stainless which is harder steel than that Chinese crap. Evolve won't do that since it costs them pennies on a board which cuts into their bottom llne. My MetroBoard has all stainless steel hardware, even on the motors. They've done that from the very beginning. Yes it costs MetroBoard more, which he may pass a few dollars on to me, but I and other customers are happier customers since we will most likely not be stranded and still riding due to some cheap part choice someone wanted to profit off of. I hate that crap when companies get big, nickle and dime the customers reducing costs where they should not be reduced. I guess its a quality vs quantity thing.

 

I do 100% agree that evolve should be using stainless steel.

 

If the thread inside the motor is what is lost its thread then a tougher bolt isn't going to help, although stainless would be nice to reduce rust.