Stripped screw on my timer cover
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,259
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From: NW NC
Stripped screw on my timer cover
When I installed my Willie G. timer cover the original screws were too long. I recently bought new ones but one of the heads stripped out on the originals. Tried getting it off with an ezy out and a gadget called a grab it (I think) but no luck. Any suggestions?
Thread Starter
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Banned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 5
From: NW NC
My hammer drill recently bit the dust and needless to say I am reluctant for fear of doing more harm than good.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
Drill a small pilot hole as close as posible to the center, go buy a stubby LH twist drill smaller than the screws minor diameter, and larger than the pilot hole, and start drilling it out, it slowly(RPM's) with steady pressure, it will "bite" and screw the screw out.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 8
From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
depends how bad it is stripped...try valve grinding compound or something similair then try the screw driver.
"rock the screw driver" that way it seats in the cross a little bit more
totally striped? break out the drill and take your time.when you think the hole is drilled big enough up a smaller thread tap, turn it in a copuple of threads and then back it out,it might break it loose.
Or use a plain standard EZ out, but be careful they are hardened steel and they break off with the "side" pressure. if you break an EZ out off..."you're done"
"rock the screw driver" that way it seats in the cross a little bit more
totally striped? break out the drill and take your time.when you think the hole is drilled big enough up a smaller thread tap, turn it in a copuple of threads and then back it out,it might break it loose.
Or use a plain standard EZ out, but be careful they are hardened steel and they break off with the "side" pressure. if you break an EZ out off..."you're done"
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 990
Likes: 10
From: Redondo Beach, California
You might be able to use the cutting wheel on a dremel type tool and cut a new slot and then you might be able to use an impact driver to get the screw to loosen up. Take your time and be careful with whatever way you decide to use to remove that screwed up screw. Keep us posted on your progress.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
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Stab a pristine driver in the wallowed out screw head and smack it with a hammer like you are driving a nail...no so hard you crack the engine case, but hard nuff to jar the threads. Soak with PB blaster and hit it a few more times, then see if it wants to twist out.
If not, you have to drill the screw head off to remove the old cover then use vise grips to remove the remaing threaded shaft.
Your other option if you plan to trash the old timer cover is to cut a flat blade slot in the stripped head with a dremmel. Doing so will scar the old timer cover.......Either way, hit the thang hard like you are driving a nail before you attempt to twist it out.....Same if you end up using vise grips on just the threaded stub-smack it first.
If not, you have to drill the screw head off to remove the old cover then use vise grips to remove the remaing threaded shaft.
Your other option if you plan to trash the old timer cover is to cut a flat blade slot in the stripped head with a dremmel. Doing so will scar the old timer cover.......Either way, hit the thang hard like you are driving a nail before you attempt to twist it out.....Same if you end up using vise grips on just the threaded stub-smack it first.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 1
From: Athens, Georgia
I had the exact deal with my bike (03 Ultra), I bought the bike from a guy who must have though he still owned an old pan head, bikes that would "shake" themselves apart. If the screw is not broken of "square" enough to drill and you get off-center, the material is so soft that you will ruin the cover. I ended up having to buy a new cover.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Eastern Massachusetts
This method shows allen bolts but it will probably work with the timing bolts as well
http://mototuneusa.com/allen_bolt_nightmare.htm
http://mototuneusa.com/allen_bolt_nightmare.htm
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
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This method shows allen bolts but it will probably work with the timing bolts as well
http://mototuneusa.com/allen_bolt_nightmare.htm
http://mototuneusa.com/allen_bolt_nightmare.htm