stripped screw

[entropic]

So I was changing my front brake pads and once again I stripped a screw. Last time this happened it was the rear reservoir and I used an ez out screw extractor but that snapped and it turned into a mess so I ended up just buying a new reservoir. Any tips for getting this screw out so I don't have the same problems ?

Thanks for any help !

[slipperymongoose]

Get your hands on an engraver and engrave yourself a slot for a flat blade.

[codajastal]

I think slips means a dremel tool?

[gsJack]

Those little master cylinder cover screws strip real easy, I've stripped a few over the years.  I just put a good sturdy phillips screwdriver in the slots and rap it a few times quite hard with a hammer down into the screw and then lean on it hard when breaking it loose afterwards.  So far it's always worked.  One of those hand held impact tools you hit with a hammer and it turns a bit as it's hit is a good thing to have on hand for bike work, would loosen those right up.  I think a Craftsman is about $25, worthwhile.

[Kijona]

Those little master cylinder cover screws strip real easy, I've stripped a few over the years.  I just put a good sturdy phillips screwdriver in the slots and rap it a few times quite hard with a hammer down into the screw and then lean on it hard when breaking it loose afterwards.  So far it's always worked.  One of those hand held impact tools you hit with a hammer and it turns a bit as it's hit is a good thing to have on hand for bike work, would loosen those right up.  I think a Craftsman is about $25, worthwhile.

NAPA sells a very high quality one for $12.99 and includes a handful of bits.

These screws do not have to be tight at all - ½ turn past finger tight at most, and if you tighten them too much it will actually start leaking.

Also, be sure to tighten them equally, not doing so will cause it to leak. That's been my experience.

[RichDesmond]

Once again, there are no Phillips screws on Japanese motorcycles!! They are JIS, and enough different from Phillips that the Phillips screwdrivers tend to cam out and strip the screws.
Order these:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#jis-%28japanese-industrial-standard%29-screwdrivers/=h2efe4

the three piece set at the bottom of the page.

[Kijona]

Once again, there are no Phillips screws on Japanese motorcycles!! They are JIS, and enough different from Phillips that the Phillips screwdrivers tend to cam out and strip the screws.
Order these:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#jis-%28japanese-industrial-standard%29-screwdrivers/=h2efe4

the three piece set at the bottom of the page.

The only time you would need something of that nature is to remove float bowl screws or the clutch pushrod cover-thing. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure that the screws on the master cylinder box are, indeed, PH. I was able to take mine out with the correct sized bit and they were damned tight.

They shouldn't be so tight, even if they ARE JIS screws, that you can't remove them with a regular screwdriver. You can find something that will fit (metric, of course) from your local hardware store.

[entropic]

Thanks for all the quick replies !! I think I'm going to pick up one of those impact screwdrivers and give it a shot. I will also loosen up the other cover screws for both front and rear because I have them pretty tight and to help prevent future issues.

[RichDesmond]

Once again, there are no Phillips screws on Japanese motorcycles!! They are JIS, and enough different from Phillips that the Phillips screwdrivers tend to cam out and strip the screws.
Order these:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#jis-%28japanese-industrial-standard%29-screwdrivers/=h2efe4

the three piece set at the bottom of the page.

The only time you would need something of that nature is to remove float bowl screws or the clutch pushrod cover-thing. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure that the screws on the master cylinder box are, indeed, PH. I was able to take mine out with the correct sized bit and they were damned tight.

Trust me, they're JIS. If you have a JIS screwdriver and use it back-to-back with a Phillips the difference in fit will be obvious.

They shouldn't be so tight, even if they ARE JIS screws, that you can't remove them with a regular screwdriver. You can find something that will fit (metric, of course) from your local hardware store.

I've never had any luck finding them in a store, even our local "everything under the sun" tool place.

I do wish the manufacturers would document the JIS thing somewhere. I worked on bikes for 20+ years before I knew about it.