Friggin torx bits!!
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
Friggin torx bits!!
Can anyone suggest some decent torx bits that wont break or strip in the bolts? 3 sets I've tried and the smaller ones keep stripping on anything that has a decent amount of torque on it. I just changed my primary oil and barely was able to get the derby cover off. Why the hell couldnt harley just use all allen style bolts? 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,278
Likes: 1,138
From: southeast PA
There are some good torx bits, I have a local Fastenal shop and their stuff is quality. Before you try to loosen one of those bolts, put the bit in it and tap it with a hammer. Tends to loosen it up.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2007
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Can anyone suggest some decent torx bits that wont break or strip in the bolts? 3 sets I've tried and the smaller ones keep stripping on anything that has a decent amount of torque on it. I just changed my primary oil and barely was able to get the derby cover off. Why the hell couldnt harley just use all allen style bolts?
I have not had any problems with the torx, but have had problems with the button head allen on the belt guard and front fork axle cap.
CB
For some more info on Torx screws see this thread:
How to prevent TORX screws being stripped
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 5
From: Batesville Ga
Many HD bolts are actually Torx Plus, which is shaped slightly different and runs a bit oversized. So a "T27" might in fact be a T25P.
Torx will go into a TP and appear to fit but be loose enough to cause stripping. TP won't go into a torx, so its easy to tell which you have. I always try my TP first and only if it won't fit do I go for the Torx. But on my 07 and 09 nearly everything is TP. On the 2000 it seems some are Torx and some TP, but the latter could have been changed by a PO. I don't know when HD switched (but I do know they call everything "Torx" in their service manuals).
Oh, and the derby is actually T25P (torx plus). A T25 wobbles like a 90 year old man, a T27 still has play, but a T25P fits perfectly.
Sears sells a nice set of SK Torx Plus which include a T27P and they're having a sale today if you order online.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...5&blockType=G5
Torx will go into a TP and appear to fit but be loose enough to cause stripping. TP won't go into a torx, so its easy to tell which you have. I always try my TP first and only if it won't fit do I go for the Torx. But on my 07 and 09 nearly everything is TP. On the 2000 it seems some are Torx and some TP, but the latter could have been changed by a PO. I don't know when HD switched (but I do know they call everything "Torx" in their service manuals).
Oh, and the derby is actually T25P (torx plus). A T25 wobbles like a 90 year old man, a T27 still has play, but a T25P fits perfectly.
Sears sells a nice set of SK Torx Plus which include a T27P and they're having a sale today if you order online.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...5&blockType=G5
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 178
Likes: 2
Many HD bolts are actually Torx Plus, which is shaped slightly different and runs a bit oversized. So a "T27" might in fact be a T25P.
Torx will go into a TP and appear to fit but be loose enough to cause stripping. TP won't go into a torx, so its easy to tell which you have. I always try my TP first and only if it won't fit do I go for the Torx. But on my 07 and 09 nearly everything is TP. On the 2000 it seems some are Torx and some TP, but the latter could have been changed by a PO. I don't know when HD switched (but I do know they call everything "Torx" in their service manuals).
Oh, and the derby is actually T25P (torx plus). A T25 wobbles like a 90 year old man, a T27 still has play, but a T25P fits perfectly.
Sears sells a nice set of SK Torx Plus which include a T27P and they're having a sale today if you order online.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...5&blockType=G5
Torx will go into a TP and appear to fit but be loose enough to cause stripping. TP won't go into a torx, so its easy to tell which you have. I always try my TP first and only if it won't fit do I go for the Torx. But on my 07 and 09 nearly everything is TP. On the 2000 it seems some are Torx and some TP, but the latter could have been changed by a PO. I don't know when HD switched (but I do know they call everything "Torx" in their service manuals).
Oh, and the derby is actually T25P (torx plus). A T25 wobbles like a 90 year old man, a T27 still has play, but a T25P fits perfectly.
Sears sells a nice set of SK Torx Plus which include a T27P and they're having a sale today if you order online.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...5&blockType=G5
WOw you learn something new every day! Well there's the problem then. Tried the T25 and of the three different sets I have there's no T27, I'll be looking for a set of the Torx Plus soon. Luckily my screws are still ok, the bits rolled over at the splines.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,299
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From: Honah Lee
Torx
Have a set of Stanley 89-420 11 pc 6 1/4 drive t8 to t27 and 3/8 drive t30-t55. got them at Wal-Mart. Could not beat price. Have used my 1/2 air impact on t45 for the foot pegs. Have not broke one yet. Snapped 2 off in a set I got from harbor Freight. I have used the crap out of them. NOT PROFESSIONALY. Some add on covers that people put on may be torx+ or the newer Harley may be torx+ but I have never seen the + on an older Harley. The + has a larger radius on the outer tips like a pear look and you do not want to use reg on +.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 10:27 AM.