When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
You might try taking your dermal and cutting a slot in the head and use a screwdriver. Use an adjustable wrench on the shaft of the screwdrive to turn the screwdriver while pushing down on the top of the scredriver and keep it as stright as you can. This works sometimes worth a try before grinding the head off.
I'd say this post is the best advice yet. Working in a dealership I've had to do a LOT of work like this that was caused by some hack independant shop or a do-it-yourselfer customer. You have to keep the damage control to a minimum and take it a step at a time. If you just jump the gun and drill the head out you've bypassed a lot of steps that could have made your task easier. First thing I would do is cut a slot in that bolt and apply some heat from a small propane tank to the aluminum around the bolt. Next I would cut that ear of the flange off, get the exhaust out of the way and weld the bolt head to the little piece of flange remaining. it will give you something easier to grab and twist out. It might take you awhile to trim the flange down enough so the piece will have enough clearance to twist out but that is still easier than damaging the head by drilling a crooked hole.
I would try the dremel & cut a slot in the head or use an easy out bit. With the countersunk head if you drill the head off there will be nothing left to grab it with.
Last edited by golfblues; Feb 28, 2011 at 07:24 PM.
Take a propane torch use a small tight flame and heat the bolt head a bit , you don't want it changing color just hot then whack it with a hand impact driver with big bit .
Had a few I've had to take the dremel and cut a slot in the head and use the flat blade driver , otherwise grind the head off and pull the cove and use vise grips on the stub .
That's all the dirty tricks for frozen screws on imports I know , good luck bud
...Kroil is supposed to be the best penetrant/lubricant there is...
Kroil is NOT a permanent lubricant. try it and find out...
get a piece of flat metal, spray it, in a different spot spray wd40, in a different spot put a drop of used engine oil...one week later slide your finger over a dry spot and then slide your finger over the other spots.
I didn't beleive it either until a machinist had me do this test...
Kroil is NOT a permanent lubricant. try it and find out...
get a piece of flat metal, spray it, in a different spot spray wd40, in a different spot put a drop of used engine oil...one week later slide your finger over a dry spot and then slide your finger over the other spots.
I didn't beleive it either until a machinist had me do this test...
One thing you might want to think about if you dont mind messing up the flange. Is there room there to drill a series of small holes in the flange to possible get the portion that surrounds the screw to break away and then grab the screwhead with vice grips?
I would first drill the center of the bolt with a 3/32 pilot drill to a depth of just past the tapered head .Measure the od of one of the old screws and use a drill bit a little smaller like .020".Drill again just past the head and this should allow you to remove the exhaust and expose the screw.
Soak it again with some PB then you may be able to grab the screw with some ViseGrips.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
I would try the dremel & cut a slot in the head or use an easy out bit. With the counter sunk head if you drill the head off there will be nothing left to grab it with.
Now that I looked at the pics again,I think Golf may be right about nothing to grab on to.
The only problem is if the screw does not unscrew,the Sears tool will just cut the head off.
honda uses the same style screws to hold the brake rotors in place for assembly purposes. they get froze all the time. i use a pointed center punch and tap gently on the outside edge putting a small dimple in the screw head and gives me a starting point. now i reposition the punch on a angle to drive the screw CCW and give it a couple of good smacks with a hammer. i use a general 16oz shot peen hammer, nothing bigger or too small. 98 times out of a hundred it will pop loose.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.