Question RE: Oil filter cover bolt

[dchrist]

ok. first a little history.

well I did it. I sheered off one of my filter cover bolts over tightening it. So to begin with I feel like a dumb ass... and a little pissed cause who wants to deal with that. At this point I think I've read every post on the subject and I've applied PB blaster and hammered and vice gripped and finally after soaking every couple of hours for like 2 days the bolt turned. I was psyched but after I turned it a couple rotations I realized its not coming out...I think it's just spinning.

so here's my question...

Is that possible? am I screwed or what? I'm afraid I've just broken the bolt at a different point and now I'm gonna have to drill it out. Which I'm pretty sure involves removing the whole front end... I'm doing progressive springs this weekend anyway so maybe I'll do the full job instead of the lazy man's method... although I had planned on going lazy.

has anyone faced this same issue? anyone want to offer some advice? I surely would appreciate it. at this point should I keep at it with the vice grips and hope for the best? or should I cease and desist to employ some other method? Is it possible for me to do any serious irreversible harm here?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

d

[dchrist]

hey. sorry about the double post y'all. how do I delete one?

d

[ohgood]

if you feel you're in over your head, take it to a machine shop. they'll get the stud out, put a heli-coil in (if it's even needed) , and have you happy as a peach in no time.


(all machinists aren't assholes, we just smell like em    )

[dchrist]

well, I'm hoping not to have to take it to a machinist. If I can get it done myself I will. Any one have a preferred method for these types of situations?

[beRto]

if you feel you're in over your head, take it to a machine shop. they'll get the stud out, put a heli-coil in (if it's even needed) , and have you happy as a peach in no time.


(all machinists are assholes, we just smell like em    )

I don't know if that was a typo or not, but it's funny either way 

[ohgood]

ok, try this: http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id10.html

[ohgood]

if you feel you're in over your head, take it to a machine shop. they'll get the stud out, put a heli-coil in (if it's even needed) , and have you happy as a peach in no time.


(all machinists are assholes, we just smell like em    )

I don't know if that was a typo or not, but it's funny either way 

freudian slip ! (i fixed it)

[blitzo]

I had this same issue, and did not feel comfortable doing it so I called a shop.  They wanted a ridiculous amount of $$.  So I got the bolts from them and did it myself.  Now first thing, how much stud is left?  Also it took me about 2 hours to screw it out, same as you I thought it was just spinning or my grip was slipping.  Watch the stud closely and verify it is spinning.  If it is spinning and broken it will pull out.  My guess would be it is on its way out.

[dchrist]

cool. the bolt is definitely turning. there is enough left for the vice grips to get a hold or to try the 2 nut method. I'm hoping its on its way out or else sounds like its e-z out time...

[blitzo]

Yeah Keep trying, just be careful and don't put too much stress on it.

[pennstump]

It looks like I posted in the double-post.....                     http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=41849.0

I'm reading Pablo's FAQ page, but I'm at the stage before this, I think.

Seriously?  You posted this 5 days ago?

I just had the same thing happen to me today.  The first cap/nut came off with no problems.  The "top" 2 just spin; they won't tighten, loosen, or come off.  They spin, but they're so close to the plate that I cannot even get my finest flathead screwdriver under it.  Visegrips have gotten me no where.

I was thinking about a nut cracker, maybe something like this:

http://www.jackstoolshed.zoovy.com/product/20662A?meta=FRG&utm_source=GBASE&utm_medium=CPC&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

However, there's not a lot of space in there.  A Dremel, which I don't own, is the only other thing I can come up with, but that is probably bad because I would probably wreck the post since I've never used of those before.  The odd thing is that the seal hasn't been broken; no oil has come out from under the plate.  I could almost put the one nut back on and sleep for a little while knowing that I changed the filter the last 10 times...

Any thoughts or help for the 2 of us?

[pennstump]

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to get the acorn nut / cap nut off of the bolt since it's just spinning on it now?

[beRto]

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to get the acorn nut / cap nut off of the bolt since it's just spinning on it now?

Maybe the whole stud is backing out? Look very closely to see if the stud is moving when you try and unscrew the acorn nut. If the stud is coming out, you may want to consider replacing both the stud and the nut (assuming the nut is "frozen" onto the stud). You could also force the nut off and clean up the threads; a new stud is so cheap that you might as well avoid the hassle.

[pennstump]

Thanks for the help.  I've still never seen any oil come out from the cover, so the o-ring seal hasn't been broken, yet.  I have 2 "spinning" cap nuts that I've turned enough for them to have come out about 10x by now and the plate is still tight against the block.

I can't see the stud, but I will try to unscrew both at the same time and see if that gets me anywhere.  If not, do you know of a way to tell if the stud is moving along with the nut?

[ohgood]

Thanks for the help.  I've still never seen any oil come out from the cover, so the o-ring seal hasn't been broken, yet.  I have 2 "spinning" cap nuts that I've turned enough for them to have come out about 10x by now and the plate is still tight against the block.

I can't see the stud, but I will try to unscrew both at the same time and see if that gets me anywhere.  If not, do you know of a way to tell if the stud is moving along with the nut?

if you turn the nut with a ratchet for 45 seconds, ya, the stud is spinning, no doubt.

i wouldn't ride it like that. if the o-ring lets loose of the oil, it's gonna coat your back tire and crash you. 3 quarts can come out QUICK !

[pennstump]

Should I, dare I say it, then try to pry the plate off of the block?

[sledge]

Sounds like the thread has stripped. I would try gently levering the nut away from the cover with a fine flat-tip screwdriver while at the same time turning it as normal.......not saying this will work but if you are lucky it might just pick up on some good thread and back off. Failing that you will have to Dremel the nut off and replace both the stud and nut......but as Ohgood says, drain the oil first!

[pennstump]

The saga continues...

I received my Dremel today and proceeded to cut off the acorn nuts.  I cut off the caps, then made a cut across the bottom of each nut and pulled the nut apart with a screw driver and eventually bent the nut apart and off using vise grips.

The first 1/4 inch of the 2 spinning bolts were completely blank -- no threads.  Now I have to get the post bolts out.

I first tried to slot one of the bolts since I had my shiny new Dremel toy.  I then inserted a flat-head screwdriver and tried to unscrew it.  Nothing.  After about 5 seconds I just bent the bottom piece of metal.  Then, I tried to use the vise grips to turn the bolt -- nothing.  Then came a couple rounds of WD-40 and more tries.  Nothing.


What should I try next to get these bolts out? They're both mostly there, but there's very little room to maneuver.

[sledge]

Know any pro-mechanics etc who might have one of these?

http://webserver.diygear.com/acatalog/DiyGear_com_Stud_removers_281.html

[pennstump]

I wish.  If I knew a pro I'd have paid him off with beer about 4 days ago...