fricken stripped bolts
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 676
Likes: 2
From: Glendale, AZ
Using the correct tool for the job is also important. rounding off the corners of a bolt is usually indicative of an open end wrench. If you dont have any, I suggest getting a set of "ratcheting" box wrenches. They will keep you from messing up your bolts, and work in tight places where you cant get a socket. Box style wrenches will exert pressure on all faces of the bolt instead of two....so you dont mess em up as much. The really fun ones are when you round out a socket cap head bolt.....
Last edited by DesertDyna; Oct 14, 2013 at 09:11 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
i'm cool with locktite and use it anytime I do anything on the bike but it would make things much easier if it was blue vs whatever the semi permanent **** is they used, coupled with seemingly soft material of some bolts, it can be a PITA
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I've drilled the heads off several stuck bolts/screws, take off the cover, bracket, whatever, and use vise grips on the exposed section of bolt. Having the head off also reduces some of the "stretch" pressure on the threads, though it won't help loctite or rust much. Worst case scenerio, I've drilled them out and re-tapped for a larger size, but you don't always have that option. I never have problems with a screw I put in; I use either the right grade of loctite (blue or red, never green) or anti seize, depending on the useage and size - no use using loctite on hot engine parts, the heat will soften it anyway. I often coat unthreaded shanks of a bolt with anti seize even when I use loctite on the threads, too, to prevent them rusting in. One of the best ways to avoid future problems is using a torque wrench; few people have a "calibrated" arm, and most that think they do over tighten the crap out of everything. Even a torque wrench is a little vague on actual tightness; a variety of things like temperature, lubrication, quality of thread cutting, can affect the actual torque, and in some highly critical applications, tools to actually measure bolt stretch are used instead of torque wrenches - bolt stretch is a more accurate measure of tightness. I've also replaced some of the Harley hardware with grade 8 bolts, especially when there's a nut instead of being threaded into aluminum. Stainless may look pretty, but it's also pretty weak; there are up to grade 5 or 6 stainless, but you usually won't find them in a hardware store, just soft junk.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 235
From: Texas
Using the correct tool for the job is also important. rounding off the corners of a bolt is usually indicative of an open end wrench. If you dont have any, I suggest getting a set of "ratcheting" box wrenches. They will keep you from messing up your bolts, and work in tight places where you cant get a socket. Box style wrenches will exert pressure on all faces of the bolt instead of two....so you dont mess em up as much. The really fun ones are when you round out a socket cap head bolt.....
And, I will add quality tools matter also. There is a reason that Snap-on, MAC, and Proto, are the tool of choice for most professionals. They are built to tight specs and they are expensive. Inexpensive soft metal tools will do in a tight fastener quicker than you think...and getting out a flush broke bolt is a ****!
Most folks would not believe the difference that a quality tool will make over a cheap one.
Last edited by skinman13; Oct 14, 2013 at 05:50 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 736
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Cheap tools,soft metal and factory yellowish loctite make for a tough day wrenching. You spent the money on the bike. Spend the money on the tools if you dont already have quality ones. Use loctite sparingly and heat when necessary.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
I've just got craftsman tools now. Had a nice snapon toolbox full of tools my dad had given me but it was stolen and I can't afford to replace them. The craftsman tools do the job.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 5
From: Coweta, Oklahoma
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