timing cover screw broken (2)
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 381
Likes: 36
From: Tennessee
timing cover screw broken (2)
I replaced my derby screws to chrome with no issue. So now I was changing the timing cover screws (5) to chrome. I have a 2012 CVO ultra and thought it would just look a little better. So top 3 screws no problem. Went to do the 2 bottom and both snapped. One of them has a small bit of screw sticking out but the other is snapped off just inside. It looks like water gets inside and sits up to the level of the 2 screws because they are rusted in. I put some penetrating fluid on them already and will re do it again. When i took the timing cover off I noticed it just a cover over a empty space with no access to anything because its sealed. Makes no sense to me, should just be a one piece cover. A few of my friends said they can easy out the screw but how difficult is it doing on the bike? they are small screws. Or would the dealer do it without removing cover. any help is great Jeff
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 191
From: Boise, Idaho
I had the same issue several years ago. I tried to drill the broken screws off while the cover was on the bike. You could try it but, I think you will have much better luck with the cover removed. I eventually replaced the cover on my bike. I didn't have the issue with rust. The screws on my bike had loctite applied to them.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
First of all, OP, relax. We got you on this. Because this is the Cover to Nowhere, this job becomes much easier. First of all, with regard to the screws, the screw that is sticking out is a fairly easy deal. See if you can grab it with a pair of small vice grips and twist it out. If you can't do that, see if you can file or saw a small slot across it, and twist it out with a screwdriver.
If none of these work, then because it's the Cover to Nowhere, simply use adhesive to attach the heads of the screws that you want to use on to the holes that the stuck screws are in, and use the screws from the new cover to screw on the rest of the screws for the cover. You can actually use RTV silicone, epoxy, or any other adhesive that you choose to.
Easy peasy!
If none of these work, then because it's the Cover to Nowhere, simply use adhesive to attach the heads of the screws that you want to use on to the holes that the stuck screws are in, and use the screws from the new cover to screw on the rest of the screws for the cover. You can actually use RTV silicone, epoxy, or any other adhesive that you choose to.
Easy peasy!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 798
From: Bear Flag, lower end
First of all, OP, relax. We got you on this. Because this is the Cover to Nowhere, this job becomes much easier. First of all, with regard to the screws, the screw that is sticking out is a fairly easy deal. See if you can grab it with a pair of small vice grips and twist it out. If you can't do that, see if you can file or saw a small slot across it, and twist it out with a screwdriver.
If none of these work, then because it's the Cover to Nowhere, simply use adhesive to attach the heads of the screws that you want to use on to the holes that the stuck screws are in, and use the screws from the new cover to screw on the rest of the screws for the cover. You can actually use RTV silicone, epoxy, or any other adhesive that you choose to.
Easy peasy!
If none of these work, then because it's the Cover to Nowhere, simply use adhesive to attach the heads of the screws that you want to use on to the holes that the stuck screws are in, and use the screws from the new cover to screw on the rest of the screws for the cover. You can actually use RTV silicone, epoxy, or any other adhesive that you choose to.
Easy peasy!
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 574
Likes: 156
From: Big Sky Country
First of all, OP, relax. We got you on this. Because this is the Cover to Nowhere, this job becomes much easier. First of all, with regard to the screws, the screw that is sticking out is a fairly easy deal. See if you can grab it with a pair of small vice grips and twist it out. If you can't do that, see if you can file or saw a small slot across it, and twist it out with a screwdriver.
If none of these work, then because it's the Cover to Nowhere, simply use adhesive to attach the heads of the screws that you want to use on to the holes that the stuck screws are in, and use the screws from the new cover to screw on the rest of the screws for the cover. You can actually use RTV silicone, epoxy, or any other adhesive that you choose to.
Easy peasy!
If none of these work, then because it's the Cover to Nowhere, simply use adhesive to attach the heads of the screws that you want to use on to the holes that the stuck screws are in, and use the screws from the new cover to screw on the rest of the screws for the cover. You can actually use RTV silicone, epoxy, or any other adhesive that you choose to.
Easy peasy!
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 461
I had the same problem. I tried to get it out with an ez out. No luck. I glued the head if a screw over the hole with some clear epoxy. Problem solved. You have two broken screws but it will still work. The 3 remaining screws will hold it on just fine. It's a decorative cover that allows you to customize the look of your cam cover.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,158
Likes: 11,247
From: San Diego, CA
I'm lucky this has never happened to me....
I love the idea of just using adhesive to glue the bolt heads over the broken bolts. I also realize the cover seals/closes nothing... purely cosmetic...
BUT...
There is no way I could ride the bike (other than a get home fix) knowing that the cover isn't bolted as designed... Way back in my high school years, when someone would do a half-fix, or a short-cut repair, we would call it a "Mickey Mouse" repair... I have no idea where that phrase came from.
Yep, it would drive me nuts knowing I had covered two broken bolts with glued on bolt heads. Every time I would ride my bike, I'd hear the theme from the Mickey Mouse Club playing in my head.
Even if I had to buy a new cam chest cover, I would need to have everything bolted up properly...
It's not easy having motorcycle repair OCD....
I love the idea of just using adhesive to glue the bolt heads over the broken bolts. I also realize the cover seals/closes nothing... purely cosmetic...
BUT...
There is no way I could ride the bike (other than a get home fix) knowing that the cover isn't bolted as designed... Way back in my high school years, when someone would do a half-fix, or a short-cut repair, we would call it a "Mickey Mouse" repair... I have no idea where that phrase came from.
Yep, it would drive me nuts knowing I had covered two broken bolts with glued on bolt heads. Every time I would ride my bike, I'd hear the theme from the Mickey Mouse Club playing in my head.
Even if I had to buy a new cam chest cover, I would need to have everything bolted up properly...
It's not easy having motorcycle repair OCD....
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 461
I'm lucky this has never happened to me....
I love the idea of just using adhesive to glue the bolt heads over the broken bolts. I also realize the cover seals/closes nothing... purely cosmetic...
BUT...
There is no way I could ride the bike (other than a get home fix) knowing that the cover isn't bolted as designed... Way back in my high school years, when someone would do a half-fix, or a short-cut repair, we would call it a "Mickey Mouse" repair... I have no idea where that phrase came from.
Yep, it would drive me nuts knowing I had covered two broken bolts with glued on bolt heads. Every time I would ride my bike, I'd hear the theme from the Mickey Mouse Club playing in my head.
Even if I had to buy a new cam chest cover, I would need to have everything bolted up properly...
It's not easy having motorcycle repair OCD....
I love the idea of just using adhesive to glue the bolt heads over the broken bolts. I also realize the cover seals/closes nothing... purely cosmetic...
BUT...
There is no way I could ride the bike (other than a get home fix) knowing that the cover isn't bolted as designed... Way back in my high school years, when someone would do a half-fix, or a short-cut repair, we would call it a "Mickey Mouse" repair... I have no idea where that phrase came from.
Yep, it would drive me nuts knowing I had covered two broken bolts with glued on bolt heads. Every time I would ride my bike, I'd hear the theme from the Mickey Mouse Club playing in my head.
Even if I had to buy a new cam chest cover, I would need to have everything bolted up properly...
It's not easy having motorcycle repair OCD....
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
I'm lucky this has never happened to me....
I love the idea of just using adhesive to glue the bolt heads over the broken bolts. I also realize the cover seals/closes nothing... purely cosmetic...
BUT...
There is no way I could ride the bike (other than a get home fix) knowing that the cover isn't bolted as designed... Way back in my high school years, when someone would do a half-fix, or a short-cut repair, we would call it a "Mickey Mouse" repair... I have no idea where that phrase came from.
Yep, it would drive me nuts knowing I had covered two broken bolts with glued on bolt heads. Every time I would ride my bike, I'd hear the theme from the Mickey Mouse Club playing in my head.
Even if I had to buy a new cam chest cover, I would need to have everything bolted up properly...
It's not easy having motorcycle repair OCD....
I love the idea of just using adhesive to glue the bolt heads over the broken bolts. I also realize the cover seals/closes nothing... purely cosmetic...
BUT...
There is no way I could ride the bike (other than a get home fix) knowing that the cover isn't bolted as designed... Way back in my high school years, when someone would do a half-fix, or a short-cut repair, we would call it a "Mickey Mouse" repair... I have no idea where that phrase came from.
Yep, it would drive me nuts knowing I had covered two broken bolts with glued on bolt heads. Every time I would ride my bike, I'd hear the theme from the Mickey Mouse Club playing in my head.
Even if I had to buy a new cam chest cover, I would need to have everything bolted up properly...
It's not easy having motorcycle repair OCD....
That said, I believe you'd play hob getting those itty bitty screws out of that cam cover, OP...if it doesn't work, then yep...it's all about a new cover. And really, they aren't all that expensive...