Primary Cover Torx bolts stripped...
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 718
Likes: 1
From: Panama City, FL
Primary Cover Torx bolts stripped...
I came back from the Mid-East excited to ride my Road King up past 1,000 miles to get the first service out of the way. I refused to pay the dealer nearly $400 to change my oil. Well, maybe I should have anyway.
I drained the primary fluid, and then tried to remove the derby cover to re-fill. The Torx bolts were VERY tight, and only broke free with a loud SNAP. I was on the last bolt when my torx wrench broke! I tried another one, and it broke too...and also stripped out the torx slot on the derby cover bolt. great.
I'm going to try a screw extractor, but I doubt that will work knowing the amount of force the other bolts took to break free.
Has anyone else had this problem with these bolts? It seems the lok-tight the MoCo uses works too well...if that makes sense.
Dex
I drained the primary fluid, and then tried to remove the derby cover to re-fill. The Torx bolts were VERY tight, and only broke free with a loud SNAP. I was on the last bolt when my torx wrench broke! I tried another one, and it broke too...and also stripped out the torx slot on the derby cover bolt. great.
I'm going to try a screw extractor, but I doubt that will work knowing the amount of force the other bolts took to break free.
Has anyone else had this problem with these bolts? It seems the lok-tight the MoCo uses works too well...if that makes sense.
Dex
Last edited by dohadex; Oct 18, 2010 at 09:07 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
On my 2010, and I'm assuming all of them, the MoCo has started using cheap pot-metal threaded inserts for the derby cover screws. They corrode and seize the Torx screws. Get yourself a small cobalt drill bit, drill a pilot hole, then go at it with an easy-out. When you replace the screws, use anti-seize on them, and be mindful that you don't have to tighten them much. I forget what the torque spec is, but it ain't much.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Use a drill bit no larger than the screw dia.(1/4"?).Better to go a little smaller because the drill bit will probly walk.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Normally thread inserts are stainless or plated alloy.
MOCO is trying to save money,dont think they would istall inserts when the cast mat'l can be tapped.I could be wrong.
Last edited by 1flhtk4me; Oct 7, 2010 at 07:08 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 862
Likes: 1
From: Western PA
I came back from the Mid-East excited to ride my Road King up past 1,000 miles to get the first service out of the way. I refused to pay the dealer nearly $400 to change my oil. Well, maybe I should have anyway.
I drained the primary fluid, and then tried to remove the derby cover to re-fill. The Torx bolts were VERY tight, and only broke free with an loud SNAP. I was on the last bolt when my torx wrench broke! I tried another one, and it broke too...and also stripped out the torx slot on the derby cover bolt. great.
I'm going to try a screw extractor, but I doubt that will work knowing the amount of force the other bolts took to break free.
Has anyone else had this problem with these bolts? It seems the lok-tight the MoCo uses works too well...if that makes sense.
Dex
I drained the primary fluid, and then tried to remove the derby cover to re-fill. The Torx bolts were VERY tight, and only broke free with an loud SNAP. I was on the last bolt when my torx wrench broke! I tried another one, and it broke too...and also stripped out the torx slot on the derby cover bolt. great.
I'm going to try a screw extractor, but I doubt that will work knowing the amount of force the other bolts took to break free.
Has anyone else had this problem with these bolts? It seems the lok-tight the MoCo uses works too well...if that makes sense.
Dex
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 559
Likes: 0
From: Berwick, Pa.
After you remove the bolt. An impact wrench, or bust off the head and remove the threads, take one of the good bolts to a true value hardware or a store that sells chrome bolts and replace your stock with chrome allen heads with chrome washers. Use a little never seize when you retorque.
Had the same thing happen to me a few years ago. Had to have the bike hauled to the shop. Embarrassing.
Had the same thing happen to me a few years ago. Had to have the bike hauled to the shop. Embarrassing.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: 'Noke, VA
Yes. I'll post a picture when I get home.
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Hey, see you were at Al Udeid. Were you guys still running over to As Sayliyah on wednesdays for the steak, shrimp, and lobster? I was the mess sgt there a few years ago. Glad your back on US soil.