How to remove topbox mount rear support struts?

[sproggy]

I bought the kit to mount the Vario topbox in place of the pillion seat on my '07 - works a treat and surely one of the few 'official' accessories that comes in below the contactless payment limit.....

Anyway. Collected it this morning, removed the mounting plate from the luggage bridge, fitted the kit - bada bing bada boom, topbox moved forward and down.

But...... I can't remove the metal struts that supported the rear of the mounting plate. Obvious, innit? Two Torx screws above the rear light. Except they won't budge. Not even using.....ahem.....an impact driver. It's as if they're welded in place.

Before I start removing stuff to get underneath/behind them to see if they are actually welded in place (or have some sort of locking arrangement) am I missing something blindingly obvious?

 

[Greenman14]

Mine has Allen screws and they have loosened off on a couple of occasions. I don't think you're missing anything, soak in penetrating oil and try again in the morning. Careful with the spanners, as per usual the screws will be poor quality and easily rounded off, though I suppose that means they are easily drilled out.

 

[Samsgrandad]

AS Greenman14 says there is nothing special with these, mine were loose and needed tightening up, it would appear that yours are rusted in place, penetrating oil leave overnight ad then have another go.

Best of luck!!

 

[sproggy]

Thanks - I've had another go at them. Got one to move a bit (maybe half a turn) with the impact driver but that's as far as it would go. Now applied penetrating oil through holes in the underside of the frame tubes (exposed by removing rear light assembly) but I don't have high hopes. It'll probably be a drill and re-tap job - not the easy job I was hoping for but how many really are?

Bike currently looks pretty odd with a little black 'gantry' sticking out over the rear light but it's not the end of the world.

 

[Bear]

Check the size of the two Torx head screws carefully. When I fitted the top box mount to my present GS I had to take out two blanking screws. A T25 bit looked the right size but wasn't: it needed a T27 and a lot of persuasion to remove screws that had sat there for five years. I'd suggest trying a T27 bit and a breaker bar rather than an impact driver.

 

[sproggy]

i was using the correct size Torx bit but the stainless screws (not convinced they were OE ones) weren't moving for anything. In the end they sheared off. At least the support bracket is off - i can drill the remaining bits of screw out another time as I doubt I'll be in a hurry to put the luggage bridge back on.