Breaking guage cluster bolts/vibration isolators.

[AthensGTI]

Is anybody else having this issue? For 4 years I have been replacing 6 of those rubber isolation dampers that hold the guages in place every summer. I am getting annoyed with it. Two more broke today (there are only 3 total). These are a cheap fastener, but I am wondering if there is something else that will work better. They keep separating on me and the rubber rips off of the head of the stud that mounts to the front subframe.

[motoxxx79]

simple fix: find a bolt that is the same dia. and pitch, use a piece of fuel line as a spacer and just run it through to the back of the dash. The fuel line will insulate the dash from the mounting bracket and since you are just using one bolt for each mount, it will not be able to break like those crappy little rubber mounted studs.

[AthensGTI]

My only concern with that is that I will still have a continuous piece of steel connecting the frame and the cluster (if I only run one bolt up through the bottom). I figure there must be a reason to have them isolated, probably to extend the life of the guages, so I'd like to retain something like the current system. I don't thing there is enough room to run a stud into the guage cluster, thread a longer fuel hose over it and run a bolt in from the bottom. The cluster is already too high up on the bike, making it higher will cause interference with the windscreen.

[Hedgehog]

Originally Posted by AthensGTI

Is anybody else having this issue?

I'm not trying to be a smartass here, but have you considered looking in the mirror? Go visit your Ducati dealer. Talk the problem over with their shop foreman. He's the guy who will know if it's a common problem, and what the fix is.

[cdansan]

Not to be smart either, but how can you tell when they break ? Do the gauges move around, not work or anything else ? I have a 2002 and as far as I know the gauges have never been off the bike. If it is a problem I will check mine.

Dan

[AthensGTI]

Local dealer tells me this is not common, they offer no explanation, they just charge me $1.60ea for new isolators. If they had a suitable answer, I would not have posted this thread Nothing is applying pressure to the guage cluster that should be causing them to rip. Before it is asked, the Clip-ons do not touch when moved lock to lock.

You can tell when they break because the cluster flops around while riding. You can reach in with your hand and move it around side to side or on the axis of the speedo cable. The only point of contact with the bike becomes the speedo cable and the electrical connections.

I think the 2002 bikes have an updated instrument cluster that is not the same design as the initial style used on the terblanche SSie's. 2000 uses the same style found on the 916/996, with the same rubber isolators.

[Hedgehog]

Now that I think of it, my old Beemer Airhead had 4 of those isolators holding the diode board. They failed a lot, too; with most people replacing them with bolts and spacers.

[AthensGTI]

I think I am about to do the bolt and spacer route, my only concern is that the extra vibration will cause premature guage failure.

Anybody ever try to pop the stock guages out and replace them with Autometer guages?

[CaliDuc]

Those little bastards wear out with time. I have found that over torque is the main reason. I have replaced mine twice and it is an 01'. For $1.60 it isnt a huge deal but more of an inconvenience. Personally I think the design was to damper vibration for the gauges but nonetheless poor. If anyone has a better solution Im all ears. It probably wouldnt hurt anything to run a straight bolt and the fuel line, albeit the fuel line wouldnt really do much but act as a washer. It would probably solve the problem but for $1.60 X's 3 every few years i'm not too worried.