Bolt 1, Me 0

Paris2 · Nearly there... Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Karma :

My sump plug has rounded off, the damn thing is made of cheese.

https://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q276/parsalanpark/image-6.jpg

As you can see from the picture I have pretty much tried everything Laughing

My only other options as far as I can see are to file it down and fit a 12/13mm socket on (though I think they will round off also) or take it up a garage and get them to weld a new bolt onto it to un do it that way.

Does anyone else have any ideas or success stories. I close to thinking that I should punish the bike by making it use the same oil forever!
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Current Ride: Daytona 600

Bezzer · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Karma :

You want something like these https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/5-piece-bolt-grip-set-expansion-set?da=1&TC=SRC-irwin+bolt
Mate's got a full set I've used a few times and they do work. Probably more cost effective for a one off job to take it to a garage to get them to do it, they will no doubt have similar ones......but then again you can never have enough tools Mr. Green

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I used to be indecisive but now I'm not quite so sure.

fatpies · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Mar 2011 Karma :

Maybe replace the sump if it is a separate piece?*

*and then round off all the bolts which hold the sump in place and require a new gasket
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"It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one"

bridgedino · Spanner Monkey Joined: 22 Oct 2012 Karma :

These things I hate.

Why do the big bike names build bikes, then find one of the most exposed parts of the bike ( guaranteed to get every ounce of road muck on it ) on the underside. Then fit a bolt that's sure gonna rust as long a there's oxygen on the planet

These things I hate

thomp1983 · Crazy Courier Joined: 05 Feb 2011 Karma :

options are either, hammer a smaller socket on, irwin grip or weld a bar or bolt to it and use that to undo it

chris

Im-a-Ridah · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Karma :

If a bolt feels like it's going to round off, I take to it with a blowtorch and heat it up, then WD40 it, hit it with a hammer a few times then leave it a while. Then come back, heat it up again, and it usually undoes Thumbs Up

Also, make sure you use a decent spanner which grips the whole bolt/nut, not just the corners. Even spanners as cheap as these will do the job

https://direct.asda.com/Draper-DIY-Metric-Combination-Spanner-Set/001235602,default,pd.html

numpty2 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Karma :

I doubt mole grips would work, but worth a try.
I have had results with the self tightening wrench type things such as:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laser-2463-Speed-Wrench-150mm/dp/B003AMZ0QO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1362926108&sr=8-2

You can get 6" & 8" versions. Ebay has them as well, but for the same price I'd go with Amazon since the suppliers are a bit more trustworthy. It's the kind of tool you will use once every 10 years, but you can never have too many tools.

I reckon this will shift it, but make very sure you are turning the right way. It is very easy to make a mistake when working upside down.

J4mes · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Mar 2011 Karma :

If you're stuck as it's Sunday afternoon and you can't get anywhere you could always try filing some new flats on to it and then as mentioned above, hammer a smaller socket on.

I would also try the mole grips, as tight as possible and then whack with a hammer.

I'd also make sure you have a decent 6 sided socket for next time, if that isn't what you used today.

frostage · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 14 Mar 2012 Karma :

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Paris2 · Nearly there... Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Karma :

Thanks for the tips so far.

I don't however have access to a blow torch, so that's a no go.

I have been using a halfords pro socket set, so pretty decent tools. The bolt was slightly rounded when I started and the sockets/spanners seem to have just made it worse.

I think I will try to file the edges first, though I think a smaller socket will do the same.

Oh and I've tried mole grips, and they rounded the shit off it Laughing

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Current Ride: Daytona 600

Musketeer · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2011 Karma :

If it's rounded off then replace it. My favourite tool for rounded off bolts is this...

https://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg19/Mordoklej/Random/pipewrench.jpg

It will chew into the bolt no matter how f00ked it is.
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Current Bike: Yamaha XSR900 Previous bikes: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, Aprilia RS125 2-stroke

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

numpty2 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Karma :

Yes the Stilson plumber's wrenches are very good, but I think they might a bit too bulky for this. They are a bit sloppy and it depends on how much of the bolt head is exposed. Maybe a small wrench plus a piece of pipe to extend it.

Stonefly · Scooby Slapper Joined: 17 Jul 2011 Karma :

andym · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Nov 2010 Karma :

+1 for the mole grips... I've never come across a nut or bolt that give up its fight when using them.

Only a pisser when you haven't got enough space to get them in there, so have to resort to something else.... usually bashing it's brains in with a hammer in my case

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Paris2 · Nearly there... Joined: 10 Apr 2011 Karma :

Right I'm going back out there to try the mole grips again, they are almost brand new so are up to the job. Ill get ready to do some grunting and try not to pull the bike off the stand. Laughing

I already have a spare to replace it, obviously, as I have fucked this bolt up so bad. Ill get a better picture of just how much when I get it off.
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Current Ride: Daytona 600

Musketeer · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Jun 2011 Karma :

Also.. Make sure you turn in the right direction.. Just saying Wink

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Current Bike: Yamaha XSR900 Previous bikes: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, Aprilia RS125 2-stroke

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Islander · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Aug 2012 Karma :

Also....

WD40? C'mon guys you should know better than that. Plus Gas or another type of penetrating oil.

Stilsons might shift it if there's room to get them on properly. +1 for making sure you're turning it the right way too. Laughing

numpty2 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Dec 2011 Karma :

I wonder how many of us have actually done the wrong way thing? I can proudly say that I've never done it with a sump plug, but as for other bolts... It's always the upside down / back to front work that leads to errors. I find it safer to let my hands do the thinking in these situations, since my brain can get it all wrong.

Boris the spider · Nearly there... Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

As a coachbuilder , i have fucked up on so many occasions.
Crying or Very sad

One of the best items ever kept in my toolbox if a good pair of molegrips.

Applied properly as others have stated. They will move most things.

Or snap them. Laughing

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Yes I'm a pig....And yes... The working public do pay my wages. Tho I contribute to your benefits you lazy c##t. You do not pay my wages. So go fcuk yourself.

The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

Last resort is welding another nut on top.