Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Need to remove this stubborn bolt

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 05:34 PM
  #11  
N83's Avatar
N83
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Waldorf, MD
Default

Thanks for all the help. I just picked-up an extractor set and will post results later.
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 06:02 PM
  #12  
Ron750's Avatar
Ron750
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
Default

Edit. I wrote this earlier, but got interrupted by work: Take an old towel and cut a hole in it and place around bolt. Spray penetrating oil (Kroll oil, PB Blaster, Liquid wrench) Go to a good auto parts store and buy a reverse (left twist) drill bit. I use a little smaller bit than they recommend in case I am off center. Sometimes it will come out while drilling. If not then use easy out.
 

Last edited by Ron750; Apr 9, 2013 at 06:04 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 06:06 PM
  #13  
Fhatboy's Avatar
Fhatboy
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: York, PA
Default

Originally Posted by QC
Ok, I'll chime in: I have used progressively bigger drills just deep enough to get past the head until the head falls off. The docking point should then come off leaving more of the bolt to grab with vise grips and heat. Good luck!
+1 on this plan.
It will work, and you won't have to worry about a broken ezout that you cannot possibly drill out when it breaks. Once the head is off then an ezout would be safer to use as the pressure is relieved.
 

Last edited by Fhatboy; Apr 9, 2013 at 06:09 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 06:10 PM
  #14  
FroggyFatBoy's Avatar
FroggyFatBoy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
Default

Originally Posted by Brent Smith
Drill it and EZ out it......Or, grind the head off, slip the grommets off and grab it with a Visegrip and turn it out. Throw some heat on it in case the last guy used red locktite on it..........

This...
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 06:15 PM
  #15  
N83's Avatar
N83
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Waldorf, MD
Default

It's not looking good. The EZ out isn't biting into the bolt. This is some hard-*** metal. Already snapped a drill bit (too much force, I guess).
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 06:19 PM
  #16  
FroggyFatBoy's Avatar
FroggyFatBoy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
Default

grind/cut the head off..
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 06:19 PM
  #17  
QC's Avatar
QC
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Default

Easy does it. Patience is key here. Moderate speed with the drill, just enough pressure to create a chip, a little WD or similar as you go.
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 06:24 PM
  #18  
2black1s's Avatar
2black1s
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

Originally Posted by QC
Ok, I'll chime in: I have used progressively bigger drills just deep enough to get past the head until the head falls off. The docking point should then come off leaving more of the bolt to grab with vise grips and heat. Good luck!
This process or grinding the head off gets my vote.

EZ outs are a misnomer in my book and would be at the bottom of my list. Break one off once and then see how eager you are to try them again. I learned to stay away from easy-outs while still in my teens and that was a long long time ago.
 
Reply
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 Apr 9, 2013 | 06:26 PM
  #19  
FroggyFatBoy's Avatar
FroggyFatBoy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
Default

grinding the head off would have the bolt out by now..
 
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2013 | 06:32 PM
  #20  
N83's Avatar
N83
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: Waldorf, MD
Default

It's off! Using progressively larger bits got the head off, and it was STILL a bear even with vise grips on a bare thread.

Thanks everyone! Freakin' ay....
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:57 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