Bit by bit overhaul-oil filter cover

[ShirleySerious]

Since most of the stuff on my bike is original, I've taken the liberty of replacing small things that are prone to rust or wear. I bought new bolts, washers and cap nuts for the oil filter cover. I changed my oil last week and was able to replace most of those components, save for one of the bolts. That bolt was stuck in there good and a vise grips was not enough to remove it. I just ended up putting the cap nut and washer on the old bolt, which may be stripped/worn. Anyone know how to get the bolt out?

[mrb302]

I have welded new bolts to broken bolts before to get them out. Other than that... drill + "ez-out".

[ShirleySerious]

The bolt is not really broken at all. It's intact but just stuck inside.

[psyguy]

if the threads on the stud still hold enough, you can use two ordinary nuts to lock against each other and then use a spanner to remove the stud
heating the area (or warming up the engine) should help too

[ShirleySerious]

Not sure how a spanner would work, the bolt (stud?) is not loose or stripped on the end that goes in the engine block, so it would still need to be unscrewed.

[Nessism]

Unless the threads on the stud are buggered, leave well enough alone. If the threads are damaged though, heat the stud with a propane torch and then try the vice grips.

[themess]

Not sure how a spanner would work, the bolt (stud?) is not loose or stripped on the end that goes in the engine block, so it would still need to be unscrewed.

"Spanner" is Brit/Aussie for "wrench".

The stud is stuck in the threads. Someone might have used thread sealant, or it might be simple corrosion. Galvanic corrosion is likely after 25 years of two different metals sitting together.

As long as you can still seal the oil filter cover, leaving it alone is probably your best bet.

[ShirleySerious]

I just get concerned with the old parts of my bike and that mixes with my tendency to replace old things with new things. It just seems like the old stud has lived out its lifespan, but then again, how would I know how long the parts on the bike can last?

[chef1366]

If the nut tightens the filter cover down without leaking it has not outlived its use.

[BassCliff]

If the nut tightens the filter cover down without leaking it has not outlived its use.

Very wise words there, Mr. chef1366. I think my uncle once told me that. He also said, "If you try something and it doesn't work... try something else."

He was a great man.



Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[salty_monk]

How about this one... if it ain't broke don't fix it! With this sort of application where the stud is not under much stress unless the threads for the cover nuts are stripped or it's in danger of rusting through leave it alone!

By messing with it with Vice grips you've probably knackered the threads on a perfectly good stud... get out more

The spanner/wrench trick involves putting 2 nuts on the threads that you can see on the outside of the engine. If you put one on about half way then put the 2nd one on, hold the first with a wrench & tighten the 2nd one to it so they lock together. You can now put a wrench on the first one & try to "undo" the stud (assuming it's right hand thread in the block). Hope that helps.

Dan

[themess]

The spanner/wrench trick involves putting 2 nuts on the threads that you can see on the outside of the engine. If you put one on about half way then put the 2nd one on, hold the first with a wrench & tighten the 2nd one to it so they lock together. You can now put a wrench on the first one & try to "undo" the stud (assuming it's right hand thread in the block). Hope that helps.

Dan

It is right hand thread. I replaced one a while back.

[ShirleySerious]

How about this one... if it ain't broke don't fix it! With this sort of application where the stud is not under much stress unless the threads for the cover nuts are stripped or it's in danger of rusting through leave it alone!

By messing with it with Vice grips you've probably knackered the threads on a perfectly good stud... get out more

The spanner/wrench trick involves putting 2 nuts on the threads that you can see on the outside of the engine. If you put one on about half way then put the 2nd one on, hold the first with a wrench & tighten the 2nd one to it so they lock together. You can now put a wrench on the first one & try to "undo" the stud (assuming it's right hand thread in the block). Hope that helps.

Dan

Since two oil changes ago, that one stud seemed like the top half was stripped. The other two nuts tighten all the way and stop, but that one nut keeps twisting as if it were stripped. I thought nothing of it until I changed the oil last week and have been smelling a little bit of oil when I ride. The leak must be very miniscule since there's no oil on my garage floor.

[salty_monk]

Yep, if it doesn't stop then it's stripped, you might still have enough good thread for a "2 nut trick" though closer to the start of the thread. You may also find that the existing stud is ok if you put an extra washer or 2 under the nut so it's tightening on a different part of the thread.

Dan

[xDownSetx]

I tried using the 2 nut trick on my head studs when I replaced 2 of them.

Didn't work when I tried to just give it a hard solid turn, the nuts just turned. They came right out if I gave it gave it a session of small turns, kind of like an impact. Try this with you're vicegrips or with the 2 nuts.