stripped torx screw on clutch inspection cover
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
I second the advice of replacing with an allen head once you get it out. I don't know why they use crap torx head screws and bolts in the first place. Everyone owns allen wrenches, and they don't strip nearly as easy. I've been down this road several times with torx and phillips head.
The splined pattern on Torx fasteners is not as suitable as Allen-type ones in applications where higher amounts of torque or used. I think.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,682
Likes: 9,162
From: Snow Hill, NC
these require very low torque so the Torx fasteners are very suitable...Biggest problem is people using T25 bit and strip the head..same can happen with a Allen head...I have not had any gone bad yet and my derby cover has been off at least 10 times...I just get good T27 bits...Actually just bought one the other day at Advance Auto.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 467
Likes: 1
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
gotta keep prices low....honestly.
Union labor costs, and the demand from customers to avoid using plastic, keeps prices for materials high as well. Even with the high number of foreign parts content, it's damn hard to provide what they do, for the price they sell them for.
Look at Star Motorcycles? Their costs are getting closer and closer to H/D......if a company wants steel and top shelf parts on the bikes, it costs money.
The ability to buy a brand new, all steel Harley for under 7 grand in today's market is commendable.
~Joe
Union labor costs, and the demand from customers to avoid using plastic, keeps prices for materials high as well. Even with the high number of foreign parts content, it's damn hard to provide what they do, for the price they sell them for.
Look at Star Motorcycles? Their costs are getting closer and closer to H/D......if a company wants steel and top shelf parts on the bikes, it costs money.
The ability to buy a brand new, all steel Harley for under 7 grand in today's market is commendable.
~Joe
Last edited by traveler; Jul 29, 2011 at 12:25 PM.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
one method that hasn't been mentioned yet, get a center punch and place it on the outer edge of the bolt head. angle the punch to the side so when you hit the punch it will send the force sideways. for example, if you place your punch at 12 oclock on the bolt head, you would hit it to the left which would get it to start turning counter clockwise...
I hope I explained that ok. I'm a millwright and I've had great sucess with this. it's a good first option because it's the least destructive (if you're carefull with the punch!) ...but I know how tough that harley locktite is!
easy-out's should never be your first option because they don't always live up to their name and things can get worse fast (like breaking your hardened easy-out in the bolt or work-hardening it to the point where you can't finish drilling the hole to even get an easy-out in)
..and yeah, definately replace with all new socket head capscrews and get some good allen sockets... good luck
I hope I explained that ok. I'm a millwright and I've had great sucess with this. it's a good first option because it's the least destructive (if you're carefull with the punch!) ...but I know how tough that harley locktite is!
easy-out's should never be your first option because they don't always live up to their name and things can get worse fast (like breaking your hardened easy-out in the bolt or work-hardening it to the point where you can't finish drilling the hole to even get an easy-out in)
..and yeah, definately replace with all new socket head capscrews and get some good allen sockets... good luck
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Club Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 168
From: Knoxville, Tn
Uneasy Out
By far the best method is to use an air hammer (rivet gun) and a screw knocker but most people don't have those things in the garage. An air hammer and a pin punch works great too but again not readily available. That's why drilling the head off with a L/H drill bit and twisting the stem out a favorite of a lot of folks.
I only use an EZ out as a last resort.
I only use an EZ out as a last resort.
