I changed the oil on my 2004 GS yesterday. When putting the oil filter cover back on I overtorqued the top left nut and the bolt it goes on snapped right off. I should have known better and used a smaller socket wrench. These nuts are small and the bolts they go on are obviously not very strong.
I've been watching closely for oil to leak out, but so far it doesn't appear to be leaking. I rode it to work today, about 36 miles round trip and so far so good.
I don't trust it though and I would like to repair it. Anyone else snapped one of these bolts before? What are my options to fix it? Remember this is a threaded bolt/rod that sticks out and the nut tightens onto it, instead of a threaded hole that you tighten a bolt into.
Thanks.
It's a very common mistake - search around and you'll find out.
Take the cover off, put 2 nuts on it, and loosen up the inside nut. Should come out.
Really!?
That sounds like an easy fix. My mistakes usually cost a lot more than that. I must be slipping.
Matter of fact there's a video on YouTube about getting those exact studs out. I'm on my phone and can post the link though.
I found the video on You tube. It looks like a pretty straight forward fix.
Watching the video I noticed that all three of the bolts were stud bolts with nuts holding the oil filter cap in place. That's curious. My used bike has two stud bolts on top and a hex head screw holding the bottom on.
I guess a previous owner snapped off a stud bolt and replaced it with the hex head bolt instead of a stud bolt.
Hopefully the threads in the engine case aren't stripped.
I had the same thing on one bike: 2 studs and a hex bolt. The PO had apparently broken a stud and used a bolt. That does work just fine - all it needs is something to hold it on. Whether a bolt or a stud and a cap nut, same thing happens.
I did put the correct stud back in. Always leave things better than when you started.
Those cap nuts just need to be snug. There's an o-ring on the filter cap to fill the gap. Those nuts are not holding the bike together so no need to torque them 'til the wrench bends.
I snapped two stud bolts during my first oil change. I clamped on them with a vise grip and very slowly and tediously backed them out. I replaced all of them with stainless hex screws.
Just make sure you don't overtighten the screws if you do that, because you could tear the threads out of the case. Then you'll have to tap it for a larger screw.
I was missing one when I got my bike, the PO was nice enoughto grind it down so couldn't get a hold on it. I drilled it out and used Loctite 294 (green) to install a E-Z Lok, then installed a new stud with Loctite 243 (blue). Not a problem since. It's a shame this is so common as it was a PITA to drill out straight.