Decided to get a jump tonight on installing a new compensator. Three of the bolts that secure the outer primary are being real stubborn. They have slight back and forth movement but it feels like if I put any more force, the hex head is going to strip out. One already deformed slightly and might be too far gone to get a good bite on it. I decided to just stop before I really screw something up but I need a good plan of what to try next. Has anyone dealt with this before? The last time I was in there, I used a drop of blue Loctite on each bolt and torqued them to spec. I found plenty of threads and videos on derby cover bolts but not the ones for the outer primary.

I think heating them may be the way to go but I'm concerned about damaging the chrome on the primary cover. I guess I could drill the heads off just to get the cover off and then use heat. Thoughts?

 

I've had luck with these before

 

If you’re stripping the heads, that’s the first problem to fix. Get a proper hex bit that fits TIGHT. No ball end BS either.

If they are really stubborn, it will take some massaging back and forth to try and loosen. Most likely corrosion. If you’ve swapped the stock bolts at any point, there’s a good chance that the new bolts are a dissimilar metal than the case, at which point you’d need anti seize instead of loctite.

You can also put a hex bit in the bolt head and tap with a hammer to try and knock it loose. I’d be cautious heating up aluminum.

 

Manual does not call for loctite. Also when using loctite or antiseaze you should back off torque a little. It is a lube.

Maybe try tapping the allen with hammer.

 

Yeah, the Loctite was probably my undoing. You and another poster mentioned tapping the allen with a hammer. Do you mean this as a way to have it seat down deep in the bolt to get a good bite?

 

it can help but no, the main point is the shock of hitting the bolt with a hammer will loosen whatever is stuck.

 

Gotcha, thanks.

 

Maybe spray some Break Free around them
and ride the bike until it’s at full operating temp then try working them loose?

 

I use it more with corrsion to break it, But maybe locktite too.

I have one, but never used it, the impact driver you hit with a hammer. I bought one after have some issues with derby. Which I now use locktite on. The cover I do dry.

If you strip, may have to try chisel to spin or dremmel for groove to chissel. Put some tape to protect cover when you slip.

Can try vice grip needle nose, but probably not enough room.

 

You could try using a 00 tip on an oxy acetylene torch and apply some heat direct on the head of the bolt.