I hate torx bolts
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 600
From: The 1980's
Another tip, don't cheap out on your Torx sockets. I have a cheapo set that I bought from a traveling Cummins tool sale way, way before I ever had a Harley.
If you get a bolt that's the least bit stubborn, the socket will twist and start to look like a strand of DNA.
If you get a bolt that's the least bit stubborn, the socket will twist and start to look like a strand of DNA.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
I have a torx bit that looks like a twizzler.
Learned that one the hard way.
I'd rather cry once (at the time of purchase), than in the middle of a job that gets FUBAR'd from cheap tools giving way when you have to put some force on them.
Allen sockets are the same, I snapped one while checking torque on an engine mount bolt. Really fun when your elbow gets driven into concrete at mach 1.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,158
Likes: 2,564
From: CT/FL
The trick to those bolts is to just loosen all five - then you can take them out in turn - if you take them out while others are tight, the cover lifts and that last bolt gets over stressed and impossible to remove.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
- Snug fitting T27 to remove or install.
- Anti seize to threads.
- One hand snug, do not over tighten.
- Follow the above, there will be no problems.
Why loctite? Why tighten hell out of them? When they "pop" like crazy when removing, they are too tight.
Particular fasteners do well when used for the correct application. For example, Phillips were originally designed for light applications, like aircraft skins and such, where the preference would be that in an over torqued situation the tool would 'cam out' rather than damage the soft metals.
There is no real problem with torx when used within it's limitations as intended. When you follow someone that did not do right, well, that's a different story.
- Anti seize to threads.
- One hand snug, do not over tighten.
- Follow the above, there will be no problems.
Why loctite? Why tighten hell out of them? When they "pop" like crazy when removing, they are too tight.
Particular fasteners do well when used for the correct application. For example, Phillips were originally designed for light applications, like aircraft skins and such, where the preference would be that in an over torqued situation the tool would 'cam out' rather than damage the soft metals.
There is no real problem with torx when used within it's limitations as intended. When you follow someone that did not do right, well, that's a different story.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 14
From: washington dc
Been there ... As a few have said, just drill the head off. No need for easy outs. Also on my 09 these thread into a thin steel threaded insert that is installed on a thin aluminum section of the case. That suggests wacking the fasteners with a hammer is risky, as you might crack the alum. case. Also, when I first took mine apart the steel inserts appeared to have rusted.
I long ago stopped tightening the fasteners so much and since then they've always been easy to remove. Also, I stick with a HD cover that uses the big red gasket that fits into a groove, versus flat paper gaskets. You don't need so much torque to stop any leaking.
Finally, as small as the heads are on any fastener that will fit, I think allen heads are more likely to strip than a torx t-27. Although I'm not an engineer, I believe a comparable size torx is less prone to stripping because the driver has more purchase on the fastener.
I long ago stopped tightening the fasteners so much and since then they've always been easy to remove. Also, I stick with a HD cover that uses the big red gasket that fits into a groove, versus flat paper gaskets. You don't need so much torque to stop any leaking.
Finally, as small as the heads are on any fastener that will fit, I think allen heads are more likely to strip than a torx t-27. Although I'm not an engineer, I believe a comparable size torx is less prone to stripping because the driver has more purchase on the fastener.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
Using Stainless in Aluminum may yield you bigger problems due to galvanic reaction of the two different metals. That is why the factory uses zinc coated steel.