Can't get Air Filter off.....help!
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: California
Can't get Air Filter off.....help!
Hope everyone is doing well. I'm new to this sight so please bare with me.
I bought an 06' Deluxe flstni about 7 months ago. I decided to take a look at the air filter. Well, it was dirty so I decided to replace it.
I took off the chrome cover with the center bolt. When I went to remove the three screws that secure the filter I broke two torques bits.
I could not get the screws loose.
Please keep in mind that I use to be a car mechanic but bikes are new to me. What the h*ll can it be? How do I remove these bolts?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I bought an 06' Deluxe flstni about 7 months ago. I decided to take a look at the air filter. Well, it was dirty so I decided to replace it.
I took off the chrome cover with the center bolt. When I went to remove the three screws that secure the filter I broke two torques bits.
I could not get the screws loose.
Please keep in mind that I use to be a car mechanic but bikes are new to me. What the h*ll can it be? How do I remove these bolts?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: MI
Someone must have used loctite on those. Make sure you are using the right size torx socket. I've never ran into problems on either of my bikes so I'm not sure what the problem is other than possibly loctite. Give them bolts a good whack before trying to loosen them again.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Sounds like maybe U need to get some good tools.
My dad give me some torx sockets that broke very easy, their in the trash yard now.
I use almost nothing except Craftsman, If they brake they'll replace it. In 38 yrs of being a machine repairman at work I had only 1 Craftsman tool brake. It was a 1/2 " ratchet wrench and it failed because I had a two ft piece of pipe on it to get more leverage. Even then the Wrench didn't brake, the gears inside it did.
Also most mechanics that knows very much knows U can also use a small chisel to tap a bolt out if its head is stripped. so U could try old trick that too. Tap the chisel parallel to the bolt head at a 45* angle to the CL of the bolt on the outside dia. of the head.
If loctite has been used U may also try heat to the bolts.
Just though of an other tool I have, an Strike blow hammer impact wrench . it will remove a lot of stuck bolts too.
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My dad give me some torx sockets that broke very easy, their in the trash yard now.
I use almost nothing except Craftsman, If they brake they'll replace it. In 38 yrs of being a machine repairman at work I had only 1 Craftsman tool brake. It was a 1/2 " ratchet wrench and it failed because I had a two ft piece of pipe on it to get more leverage. Even then the Wrench didn't brake, the gears inside it did.
Also most mechanics that knows very much knows U can also use a small chisel to tap a bolt out if its head is stripped. so U could try old trick that too. Tap the chisel parallel to the bolt head at a 45* angle to the CL of the bolt on the outside dia. of the head.
If loctite has been used U may also try heat to the bolts.
Just though of an other tool I have, an Strike blow hammer impact wrench . it will remove a lot of stuck bolts too.
.
Last edited by oct1949; Nov 9, 2011 at 04:10 PM. Reason: added
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 313
Likes: 1
From: St.Louis, Mo area
Ran into the same thing with my X'Bones. Some CS at the dealer WAY over torqued the three bolts. I'm a mechanic by trade also, and broke my Snap On torx trying to get it off. Got a Matco one, some valve grind compound for extra grip, and finally got the stupid things out. Hate to think of having to drill them out and using an easy out. Never anything easy about that. Good luck.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Good tight tool with a small impact. Do not use a hammer breaker on throtle body or carb body. Do not use loctite on maintance covers.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Nov 9, 2011 at 05:04 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
why would you heat a bolt/screw that is already too tight /frozen ?
"I am just trying to learn new procedures"
"I am just trying to learn new procedures"
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: TOAK western branch
You do this to break the lock tite compound.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Western MD
if you don't have a soldering iron big enough, take it for a short ride then let idle for about 10-15 minutes then shut it off and let it hot soak for another 10-15 minutes.. it may work for ya.
i do this with broken exhaust manifold studs in aluminum heads and it works great.
i do this with broken exhaust manifold studs in aluminum heads and it works great.
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: California
Thanks for the help!!!
Well, I went ahead and did as FroggyFatBoy suggested.
I ran the bike for a bit and let it heat up the bolts. Believe it not, they couldn't have came off any easier. They did seem to have some type of locktite or something on them. As soft 02 stated, the heat seemed to break the locktite compound.
Just for the record, I too use Craftsman tools. I also had a couple of torx bits from my old job, as I use to work in the auto manufacturing industry.
I also used the correct size (T-27) bits.
I really appreciate all of your suggestions and help.
I ran the bike for a bit and let it heat up the bolts. Believe it not, they couldn't have came off any easier. They did seem to have some type of locktite or something on them. As soft 02 stated, the heat seemed to break the locktite compound.
Just for the record, I too use Craftsman tools. I also had a couple of torx bits from my old job, as I use to work in the auto manufacturing industry.
I also used the correct size (T-27) bits.
I really appreciate all of your suggestions and help.