Help Please!
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Oregon
Help Please!
I've tried and tried to get my oil drain plug out, it won't budge. What the hell, do they weld these things in?
Any help, tips, tricks, would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
2008 Softail Custom. First two done by dealer ,I don't have time or desire to have them do it again. Thanks in advance for any help.
Any help, tips, tricks, would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
2008 Softail Custom. First two done by dealer ,I don't have time or desire to have them do it again. Thanks in advance for any help.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 110
From: Mesa, Az.
Try tapping on it a few times with a hammer, that will often break it loose so you can turn it.
HD uses a white thread sealant that can make bolts and plugs difficult to remove, but keeps them from falling off.
HD uses a white thread sealant that can make bolts and plugs difficult to remove, but keeps them from falling off.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Smoky Hills TN
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
The torque spec for the oil drain plug is very low. There is an o ring on the nut that can't really be crushed much. You may be tightening it instead of trying to loosen it by mistake or you could be trying to loosen the wrong nut. Anyway, for stubborn nuts, tapping the wrench with a hammer is the best way to go. A bolt can and will shear off if you try to apply pressure gradually but if you tap it, it will come loose without breaking. I wish I had a nickle for every time my Dad yelled at me for not tapping a bolt loose when I was a kid.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,280
Likes: 2
From: SC
Make sure you are trying to get the one out up in the frame. The drain plug has a hex head and a seocket for an allen wrench. Use the allen wrench, it won't slip.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,542
Likes: 6,208
From: In your head rent free
Be a good bet that the plug is stripped and cranked in because it was dripping.
Take it back and have them do it again. Let them fix it on their dime. If you pull it, and it's torn up, you know they will say it was your fault.
Take it back and have them do it again. Let them fix it on their dime. If you pull it, and it's torn up, you know they will say it was your fault.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
From: IL
+1 on that. Since there's an O-ring on the plug, you barely have to torque it in. If you're having that much trouble someone screwed up. No insult, but make sure you are trying to remove the correct plug. The trans and oil plugs look the same. Then there's the other plug in the oil pan which is not supposed to be pulled.
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,622
From: along the shore of Mishigami
The plug your not supposed to remove is the one bottom center of the engine and it's facing the front of the bike. Best get a service manual. Aren't the engine drain plugs on the softtails up between the shocks?