Those damn torx bolts
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Those damn hex bolts
I stripped a torx on my rear fender support using I believe a cheap torx bit....I had to take alot to get that one bolt off but after that I went to Home Cheapo and bought the husky torx bits and the other bolts came off no problem. Ill never use cheap tools on my bike again :/.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Those damn hex bolts
When I first got my bike, and replacing the stock derby cover, etc. it took me some time to realize my allen wrenches WEREN'T the right tool for the job. Finally clued in on the torx thing. No. 27 was the first one I bought. Then I bought a whole standard SAE set, but it only went to size 35. I just had to run to the store this week, for a couple of torx head sockets, sizes 40 & 45. 3 bolts on the moustache style engine guard, and they make two of them one size, and one the other. Maybe the MOCO has a patent on these, and gets a kickback everytime someone buys one? 
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 887
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
RE: Those damn torx bolts
Absolutely agree. Torx suck. What is wrong with Hex head bolts? Answer - Nothing.
Moco just wants to keep us from working on our own bikes and so avoid paying their rip off rates for substandard labor.
Maybe that's why the Harley service shops are always so busy they can't get your bike done in anything resembling a reasonable amount of time. They are fooling withttoo manytorx bolts.
Had them put my sissy bar onto the side rail just because I had the bike there when I bought the assembly. Torx nuts. By the time I got home one was gone and two others had vibrated half way out. Had to viist Home Cheapo for SS hex bolts, good old SS lock washers and some red Lock Tite. No problem after that.
Again. Torx bolts suck mainly because I already have a good hex bolt wrench set. WTF did they switch to this crap?
Moco just wants to keep us from working on our own bikes and so avoid paying their rip off rates for substandard labor.
Maybe that's why the Harley service shops are always so busy they can't get your bike done in anything resembling a reasonable amount of time. They are fooling withttoo manytorx bolts.
Had them put my sissy bar onto the side rail just because I had the bike there when I bought the assembly. Torx nuts. By the time I got home one was gone and two others had vibrated half way out. Had to viist Home Cheapo for SS hex bolts, good old SS lock washers and some red Lock Tite. No problem after that.
Again. Torx bolts suck mainly because I already have a good hex bolt wrench set. WTF did they switch to this crap?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,914
Likes: 4,660
From: West Texas Sandhills
RE: Those damn torx bolts
I've never had a problem stripping torx heads....Right after I bought my first Harley, I went to Lowes and purchased a set of Colbalt torx bits....Use them all the time and never had a problem
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
RE: Those damn torx bolts
I've removed the fender strut bolts a number of times, and never had any problems with stripping out the torx bolts. The key is to make sure you're on the bolt straight, and have a GOOD bit that fits properly. I also always lean against the ratchet until the bolt breaks loose, helps to keep the bit straight and keep it from backing itself out while you're applying max torque to break the bolt loose.
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sydney, Australia
RE: Those damn torx bolts
I was over the moon when I was able to dust of my old A/F irons. Most things these days here in Australia are Metric standard.
I'm with Clammy, get a good set of Torx sockets and use a flexible handle or breaker bar and lean on it with the correct size bit.
I've just installed the turn signal relocation kit and sissy bar/rack and I had to remove the L/R struts and yes the white bolt adhesive was there from the factory. The sissy bar docking kit torx bolts had a yellow coating dipped on the last 5 threads of the bolts and the install intructions still specified loctite so I obeyed! I didn't put any extra on the original bolts going back in but I will replace them with new chrome finished heads when I put the small bullet indicators on the front and rear in a couple of weeks.
I personally don't mind spending a few bucks on tools and buying good quality stuff. I've spent 32K on a new bike so I don't want a cheap tool failing and scratching my ride or skinning my knuckles
(My job as a hand model hangs in the balance)
I remember an old saying "If you've got a 10 dollar head buy a 10 dollar helmet!"
I'm with Clammy, get a good set of Torx sockets and use a flexible handle or breaker bar and lean on it with the correct size bit.
I've just installed the turn signal relocation kit and sissy bar/rack and I had to remove the L/R struts and yes the white bolt adhesive was there from the factory. The sissy bar docking kit torx bolts had a yellow coating dipped on the last 5 threads of the bolts and the install intructions still specified loctite so I obeyed! I didn't put any extra on the original bolts going back in but I will replace them with new chrome finished heads when I put the small bullet indicators on the front and rear in a couple of weeks.
I personally don't mind spending a few bucks on tools and buying good quality stuff. I've spent 32K on a new bike so I don't want a cheap tool failing and scratching my ride or skinning my knuckles
(My job as a hand model hangs in the balance)I remember an old saying "If you've got a 10 dollar head buy a 10 dollar helmet!"
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
RE: Those damn torx bolts
I haven't had a problem with the Torx bolts yet, but I'd rather have Allen head.
I've heard that Torx head bolts are used because they are more suitable to automated assembly.
Jim
I've heard that Torx head bolts are used because they are more suitable to automated assembly.
Jim
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 221
Likes: 1
From: Sydney, Australia
RE: Those damn torx bolts
My wife would rather everything came with the domestic standard slotted head screws so she could use the multi-purpose kitchen knife tool !
At least the torx bolts are butterknife resistant.
At least the torx bolts are butterknife resistant.
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Western Wisconsin
RE: Those damn torx bolts
I have been a mechanic my whole life and seldon have any issues with removal. True you do need a good set of bits and must be square to the fastener when trying to remove. I have Snap-On bits and all of the sizes made. Also have them in tee handle and 3 way tee. You can torque a torx bit tighter than a hex and that contributes to making them more difficult to remove. I wouldn't blame HD for using them. The torx is used all over the place. The set I bought from Snap-On was around 250.00 dollars but well worth it. Beware of cheap ones!!!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Those damn torx bolts
I stripped a couple until I did two things. Bought a good set of quality tools and always apply some heat to the bolt before putting a wrench to them to soften the locktite. Have had no problems since.