General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

stripped header bolt (phillips head), need help please!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 26, 2011 | 08:22 PM
  #31  
BikerV's Avatar
BikerV
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by irunaumuck
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.
 

Last edited by BikerV; Feb 26, 2011 at 08:28 PM.
Old Feb 26, 2011 | 09:08 PM
  #32  
Comingapart's Avatar
Comingapart
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 150
Likes: 1
From: Arkansas
Default

Yes, go with the Dremel idea.

After you grind the slot in the head, apply some heat, (even a $12 Mapp or Propane torch will work if it's all you got)

One you break out the drills and extractors, the potential for making the situation worse goes up dramatically, particularly for first timers.
 
Old Feb 26, 2011 | 09:13 PM
  #33  
golfblues's Avatar
golfblues
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,599
From: Danbury CT
Default

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.
Old Feb 26, 2011 | 09:26 PM
  #34  
TwiZted Biker's Avatar
TwiZted Biker
Club Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,122
Likes: 51,434
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Default

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
 
Old Feb 27, 2011 | 05:59 AM
  #35  
Thundermug's Avatar
Thundermug
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Default

Originally Posted by carlgrover
...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...
 
Old Feb 27, 2011 | 07:47 AM
  #36  
Dan89FLSTC's Avatar
Dan89FLSTC
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Navy
Active Streak: 30 Days
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,173
Likes: 12,740
From: South Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by Thundermug
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...
Fascinating stuff but...

He said PENETRANT....not Permanent.
 
Old Feb 27, 2011 | 07:56 AM
  #37  
cdestuck's Avatar
cdestuck
Supporter
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,724
Likes: 234
From: Altoona, Pa.
Supporter
Default

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?
 
Old Feb 27, 2011 | 08:05 AM
  #38  
1flhtk4me's Avatar
1flhtk4me
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Default

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

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 27, 2011 | 08:11 AM
  #39  
1flhtk4me's Avatar
1flhtk4me
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Default

Originally Posted by golfblues
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.
 
Old Feb 27, 2011 | 08:17 AM
  #40  
FroggyFatBoy's Avatar
FroggyFatBoy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
Default

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.


good luck.
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:58 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE