696 Fender Eliminator Issues

[pompey77]

Now this is either going to sound typical newbie or going to strike a chord with someone.

As discussed a couple of weeks back with Justo - who has done his.. I got hold of the 696 FE kit and set out to change it last weekend.

The official Ducati instructions leave a lot to be desired, consisting of small very dark black and white photos and the advice that it should be installed by a dealer. I did however stare at them enough to work out what had to be done, bit of imagination helps as well.

Got hold of the 696 workshop manual which shows how to remove the existing one.

Step 1 remove seat - easy -
Step 2 remove 4 screws - now this should have been easy but try as I might I just can't shift them.

They're 4 hex head screws, I tried initially with a key - forget that. Then got a hex bit and a ratchet - still wont budge - in fact all I've succeeded in doing is to start burring them so packed away and fumed.

Anyone got any tips or should I just accept that the dealer knows best. It's  a new bike and I don't want to risk damaging the screw heads any more really.

A mate suggested they may have used locktite on the threads or similar - is this likely?   

[mattyvas]

It is possible that Loctite might have been used but it's more likely that they were
done up with numatic tools on a production line, so new parts from the factory might well
be difficult to remove.

Have you tried a decent breaker bar on the end of the ratchet or maybe some WD-40 to aid in loosening
said bolts from there current place.

[ungeheuer]

...Step 2 remove 4 screws - now this should have been easy but try as I might I just can't shift them.

Hmmm mine came apart easily.....  Which 4 screws do you mean?  Are we talking about the four that pass vertically thru the rubber grommets and require an Allen key at both ends of em to loosen?

[pompey77]

No, it's the outer screws securing to the subframe. I'll try and post the picture later to clarify. The 4 rubber grommet screws are to the inside of these.

 

[pompey77]

Have you tried a decent breaker bar on the end of the ratchet or maybe some WD-40 to aid in loosening
said bolts from there current place.

Didn't try that yet thanks for the tip.

Here's the workshop manual photo and the 4 hex bolts:



View from above with seat removed.

[mattyvas]

Do they need to come off?
Looks like just the inner bolts will do the job.
I am sure 696/1100 owners can help you, have you checked the tutorials
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I am sure you will find step by step in there.

[Spider]

wd40 for 24 hours, and I've also used a little heat in some instances....but usually I have the piece away from the bike before pulling out the LPG torch!

[Justo]

Sorry been off for a while. From memory they were tricky too for me. But doable. Make sure u are using good tools with Allen keys/hex bits that fit snug. There is no substitute for good tools that fit the nut snug.

I also used and extension bar to get some leverage to break the loctite. The bolt bar in your 696 toolkit works well.

You need those hexnuts Later so don't strip them.

Welcome to bike frustration. Take your time don't rush. Plan your steps wisely (I encourage a beer to keep company) and it will come together. But yeah the instructions are shit.


 

[DucaChic]

I installed the DP Kit on my 696 last year.
The Tail Section and Fender assembly are held on by the four "OTHER" screws and rubber gromets (those not identified in your photo).

[pompey77]

Ker-ching........ That's the sound of the penny dropping.

Serves me right to take the workshop manual literally 

I see now that those 4 hex nuts don't need to be removed after all.

So, took it off had a look around and put it back as no more time to spend on it today.

Just got to figure out the rest of it now. Thanks for all input and advice.

 

[DucaChic]

Glad to help.

The tail kit really tidies up the rear end; good luck with the install.