Home › Forum › Ask A Member › Best way to remove the retaining clips on transom clamps? › Re: Best way to remove the retaining clips on transom clamps?
I pry them off, cut the nub off, then drill & tap them for a bolt. I use a 1-inch 1/4-20 bolt and thin the hex head down a bit on the grinder (so it doesn’t extend beyond the cup washer). I drill in about an inch into the thumbscrew. I then run a tapered tap in until it bottoms out. That leaves the last 1/4 inch or so of threads not quite perfect, which is perfect for burying the bolt into them so it won’t back out. Make sure you don’t run the bolt in deep enough to clamp against the cup washer as you still want it to be able to move. Not original, but they hold better than the clips and can be undone easily later if you bugger hip a handle…