Nearly stripped drain plug head, help a noob if you are in Auckland

[francewavidok]

Howdy,

I am a complete nub. I tried to loosen the drain plug but it started to strip so I stopped straight away. I don't possess the right tools nor the knowledge for the job. I used the right wrench but must have been doing something wrong. Anyone with a rattle gun that is willing to help a nub out in auckland?

[HenryDorsetCase]

Howdy,

I am a complete nub. I tried to loosen the drain plug but it started to strip so I stopped straight away. I don't possess the right tools nor the knowledge for the job. I used the right wrench but must have been doing something wrong. Anyone with a rattle gun that is willing to help a nub out in auckland?

you were turning it the correct way?

by "strip" you mean you have rounded off the corners of the bolt by using the incorrect size spanner, or you've stripped the thread in the sump? because if you've stripped the thread in the sump that has potential to be a major. Or not. depends on the bike.

[skippa1]

Howdy,

I am a complete nub. I tried to loosen the drain plug but it started to strip so I stopped straight away. I don't possess the right tools nor the knowledge for the job. I used the right wrench but must have been doing something wrong. Anyone with a rattle gun that is willing to help a nub out in auckland?

I would be reluctant to get a rattle gun on the case if I were you....if you have no skills in the mechanical department, best to leave it to someone that has

[francewavidok]

I have slightly rounded off the head of the nut, the thread should be fine and yes I was turning it the correct way. Either I am weaker than I thought or I have no idea how physics works lol. Nonetheless, some kind soul has offered to help today and we will see how that goes... He is a blardy legend just for offering!

[francewavidok]

I would be reluctant to get a rattle gun on the case if I were you....if you have no skills in the mechanical department, best to leave it to someone that has

Fair enough, some kind soul has offered to help so hopefully there will be no need to go down this road :)

[jellywrestler]

Fair enough, some kind soul has offered to help so hopefully there will be no need to go down this road :)
get a six sided tool to undo it Spanner/Socket, rather than a twelve sided one as the twelve sided ones only really grip on the edges which you sound like you've lost., before you even do that order a new drain plug and have it in your hot little hand.
Beg steal or borrow a torque wrench to do it up the correct specs. reason - if you've damaged it comeing off the chances are you haven't a whole lot of experience, the torque settings correctly applied will limit you rchances of making an error in tightening it back up, thats where the really expensive fuck ups can happen.

if' its really rounded i've welded a socket on before now and then it's nearly impossible to cock up
photos would help, dont get oil on your i phone though!

[imdying]

Vice grips. Don't be frightened to tighten them good and proper, you want it done the first time... if you're girly about it and mulch it further it only makes it harder. As Jellywrestler says, 6 siders are the shiz.

[jellywrestler]

Vice grips. Don't be frightened to tighten them good and proper, you want it done the first time... if you're girly about it and mulch it further it only makes it harder. As Jellywrestler says, 6 siders are the shiz.

most sump bungs are reccessed so need a skilled hand to get out with vice grips as well as the right type of vice grips too. be careful

[HenryDorsetCase]

Also, it will likely have a copper crush washer between the sump bung and the sump. Get a bunch of them and use a new one every time. re-using them might tempt you to overtighten.

endorse the recommendation of six point sockets too. And have used the vise grip method before too. oh yes. If it can be broked, I have broked it.

[HenryDorsetCase]

most sump bungs are reccessed so need a skilled hand to get out with vice grips as well as the right type of vice grips too. be careful

Pish posh, what's the worst that can happen?.


oh...... wait........ dang. :(

[F5 Dave]

Can't say I have ever ever changed a sump washer, but the guilt is growing. Not enough to spur me into action, - but you know? I can imagine the conversation with the parts guy. So what kind of bike is it? Erm . . that's a difficult question, it depends. Parts Fiche? Um - how about I just buy these ludicrous grips?

Metrinch (sp) do some wall driver sockets that are good for knackered bolts, but they are too sloppy to use in every day use. 6 pointers are my fav, can't see a valid reason for 12 pointers, but 12s are by far the most prevalent.

Back to the OP, don't be put off by set backs. You have to learn & sometimes error is the initial way. Get your good Samaritan to talk you through it.

[DEATH_INC.]

Depending on the size of the bolt, I may have some sockets at work that'll get it. They're designed for rounded off bolts....
If yer other helper has no luck, gimme a yell.

[Akzle]

Howdy,

I am a complete nub. I tried to loosen the drain plug but it started to strip so I stopped straight away. I don't possess the right tools nor the knowledge for the job. I used the right wrench but must have been doing something wrong. Anyone with a rattle gun that is willing to help a nub out in auckland?

i'm assuming you meant the hex head started rounding off 'acause you were using a shifter not a ring spanner.

in that case, get a set of sockets or box wrenches and take it off, file the faces flat and decide if it's OK to go back in, if not, buy a new one.

if you ACTUALLY meant you stripped the thread. you were doing something very, very wrong.
stick to one of these:
http://jaycar.co.nz/products_uploaded/productLarge_11276.jpg

[speights_bud]

In reference to turning correct direction, lie underneath and say out loud "Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty!"

[FJRider]

I have slightly rounded off the head of the nut, the thread should be fine and yes I was turning it the correct way. Either I am weaker than I thought or I have no idea how physics works lol. Nonetheless, some kind soul has offered to help today and we will see how that goes... He is a blardy legend just for offering!

A ring spanner (if it fits on/in the recess) or a socket (best option) ... not open end spanners. They can slip off and skin your knuckles ... and don't even think about using adjustable spanners ...

[Akzle]

In reference to turning correct direction, lie underneath and say out loud "Lefty Loosy, Righty Tighty!"

tried it.

the wife failed to see the humour.

[SMOKEU]

Replace it with a stainless steel bolt as they're usually more resistant to rounding off. I find that I have to do that quite a bit on one of my Suzukis.

[francewavidok]

Dang, the response has been amazing. You guys are freaking awesome. I can't thank Caseye enough for his help, not only did he help me take the nut off - we also adjusted my chain and fix the back seat of the bike to name a few things. I learned a lot and am confident I will not only be able to do it fine myself in the future but at the same time be able to help a fellow biker just like me some day. He also gave me a tube of metal polish for my exhaust... I honestly cannot thank him enough.

On top of that, thank you to everyone in this thread who offered me some great advice and even help, you are all top blokes and have restored my faith in mankind.

"Keep the shiny side up"

[francewavidok]

Depending on the size of the bolt, I may have some sockets at work that'll get it. They're designed for rounded off bolts....
If yer other helper has no luck, gimme a yell.

All sorted, check the post above but this is simply a personal thank you for offering the help, yar a legend!

[francewavidok]

i'm assuming you meant the hex head started rounding off 'acause you were using a shifter not a ring spanner.

in that case, get a set of sockets or box wrenches and take it off, file the faces flat and decide if it's OK to go back in, if not, buy a new one.

if you ACTUALLY meant you stripped the thread. you were doing something very, very wrong.
stick to one of these:
http://jaycar.co.nz/products_uploaded/productLarge_11276.jpg


No God no, no stripped threads lol, not completely useless :shifty:

[imdying]

On top of that, thank you to everyone in this thread who offered me some great advice and even help, you are all top blokes and have restored my faith in mankind.Remember, this is the technical section, everywhere else on this forum it's all on :yes:

[Akzle]

...Dang, the response has been amazing. You guys are freaking awesome.

...you are all top blokes and have restored my faith in mankind.


:rofl: :lol: :killingme
jeez. keep it in your pants.

you'll learn better. one day.

[bsasuper]

Vice grips. Don't be frightened to tighten them good and proper, you want it done the first time... if you're girly about it and mulch it further it only makes it harder. As Jellywrestler says, 6 siders are the shiz.

Actually vice grips could make it worse, your best friend will be the good old monkey wrench.

If I had a dollar for everytime an apprentice stripped a thread at work, well you work it out.....

[actungbaby]

Howdy,

I am a complete nub. I tried to loosen the drain plug but it started to strip so I stopped straight away. I don't possess the right tools nor the knowledge for the job. I used the right wrench but must have been doing something wrong. Anyone with a rattle gun that is willing to help a nub out in auckland?

Its easy to do just always start the bolt of by hand and hand tighten that way you not going force the bolt on angle strip the tread

Same with spark plugs also , but those you dont need to over tighten or you damage the tread and bend the plug out its heat range.

They can fix the tread at most engieering firms or even bike shops call it helicoil fix not sure never needed so far.

Though did strip tread in tripple clamp on my bike this month luckly i had spare one, just dont rush things and thats best way.

Aslo use spanners is better way also

[Mungatoke Mad]

Actually vice grips could make it worse, your best friend will be the good old monkey wrench.

Stillson's 4 the non Americans on here

[YellowDog]

Remember, this is the technical section, everywhere else on this forum it's all on :yes:

Congrats to all for managing to hold back their 'Noob Destroying' natural instincts :bash:

[francewavidok]

Congrats to all for managing to hold back their 'Noob Destroying' natural instincts :bash:

I gotta agree with ya lol

[Brett]

My bolt is also rounded....:shifty:

Glad you got it sussed mate.

[imdying]

Congrats to all for managing to hold back their 'Noob Destroying' natural instincts :bash:People ripping on noobs in the technical sections get red... I have plenty to share and this ain't the place... we have the entire of the rest of KB for that lark! :D

[HenryDorsetCase]

Replace it with a stainless steel bolt as they're usually more resistant to rounding off. I find that I have to do that quite a bit on one of my Suzukis.

thats terrible advice. You are way better fucking up a soft bolt that is easily extractable and replaceable than you are ruining an engine case or having to drop a sump to get something rethreaded.