New to this forum ( forums in general), need some advise or tips.

Have a 95 400 sportsman. Replaced the recoil assembly because the other one broke. This issue I had was with tightening the bold back down. To tight and the recoil wouldn’t rewind. Back it out a little so that the rewind would wind and the bolt would work it self loose. I thought I had it in a sweet spot . Got it back together. Worked 5 or 6 times then my son was riding it heard a rattlling turned it off, tried to pull start and rope pulls but does not turn over motor and can hear a rattle. Finally got around to pulling cover back off. Bolt had loosened enough to let spring and ratchet come off. Spring was bent up beyond reuse.

My question, how do I keep the bolt from backing out with out getting it to tight. Thanks for any help