Grab Handle, Cup Holder, and Lever Guide on BX25D Aft Attachment Stripped

[smaltim]

Both of my Grab Handles on my BX25D have the bolts stripped out from the handle portion. The dog gone things are $114 bucks a piece! Does anyone have a fix that might work instead of getting new ones?

 

[Trimley]

Would RivNuts be a cure? Maybe if a short sleeve was slipped over the RivNut, then done? You might and up having to step-down in fasteners size to make it work. Or, maybe use stainless zip-ties?

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I don't know what they look like, but if they are solid, you might try either drilling and tapping to the next larger size, or something like a threaded insert repair, like a "Heli-Coil", might work as well.

 

[whitetiger]

Are the threads in the brass inserts stripped, or did the brass inserts pull out?

 

[Mowbizz]

I rely on my grab handles a lot! (BX25D)
Never thought they could strip/pull out!
How much do you weigh?

 

[smaltim]

Are the threads in the brass inserts stripped, or did the brass inserts pull out?

They pulled out.

 

[smaltim]

I rely on my grab handles a lot! (BX25D)
Never thought they could strip/pull out!
How much do you weigh?

They were broken when I purchased the tractor smart guy.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

They were broken when I purchased the tractor smart guy.

NO need to get snippy!

I suggest you bite the bullet and get new handles, as the plastic is probably compromised.

 

[Mowbizz]

They were broken when I purchased the tractor smart guy.

 

[Mowbizz]

I checked mine yesterday! Never realized that unit was all one piece!

 

[BX25D Rookie]

I epoxied the threaded brass inserts back into the grab handles on my BX2370.
The inserts pulled out of the handles during disassembly while repairing a hydraulic leak.
I wire brushed the exterior of the brass inserts and degreased them with Brake Cleaner.
Then I roughed up the hole in the plastic with a dental pick.
Run a tap in the threaded hole to remove corrosion, and reassemble with anti seize.
The repair has been solid for almost two complete mowing seasons. Still solid as OEM.

 

[BX25D Rookie]

A picture or two is worth a thousand words.

IMG_20250323_150353080_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20250323_150403481 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

 

[smaltim]

A picture or two is worth a thousand words.

IMG_20250323_150353080_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20250323_150403481 by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

That looks solid!

 

[BX25D Rookie]

The OEM location for that brass insert is up into the plastic about 1/16" from flush.
When I pushed the brass insert back into the handle and covered everything with epoxy,
I left the bottom of the brass insert flush with the bottom of the plastic handle.

Having the brass insert pushed up into the factory location meant that the epoxy repair joint was always in tension when the bolt under the fender deck was tightened up. I placed a thin flat washer between the plastic handle and the top surface of the fender deck so the epoxy repair didn't have to sustain a long term tensile strength potential failure condition.

 

[BX25D Rookie]

JB Weld epoxy. Quick setting type.