Bought the bike used a couple months ago, and just did my first oil change before installing a well used SW Motech skid plate. When I tried to remove the final drive filler plug to check the FD level, it does not want to come out. Twisted/bent the 6mm Allen wrench I had on hand. Figure I need to get an impact rated Allen wrench but I am concerned about stripping the plug. The drive oil was changed less than 4K miles ago, and there are no leaks indicated, so immediate removal is not required. Suggestions/recommendations?
Tough Final Drive Filler Plug removal
- Thread starter holligl
- Start date
tomatocity
Active Member
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Don't want to be insulting but...
Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey
Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey
echo_four_romeo
New Member
Mine was tight from the dealer, took me using a high quality allen key socket on a breaker bar(30" long). Even pressure it will eventually break free. The torque spec is only 17 ft-lb but it felt like someone had used an impact driver to tighten it.
echo_four_romeo said:
::026::
When they are tight like that, sometimes giving it a bit of pressure toward tightening it (don't actually make it turn) before loosening will help.
yoyo
Well-Known Member
I'm with Checkswrecks, give it a nip to try and crack the thread before trying to undo it
Warm it up before trying can't hurt either. By riding the bike!
I also replaced the Allen head with one with a nut head.
Let's Ride!
Brick
I also replaced the Allen head with one with a nut head.
Let's Ride!
Brick
echo_four_romeo
New Member
I've been meaning to switch it out for a nut. Do you remember any specs on the bolt? Don't want to have to go pull the bolt out right now to figure thread pitch and such...Brick said:
R
RonH
Guest
If you are using old L shape allen wrenches, get rid of them and get a decent set of sockets, then a ratchet will most likely suffice as the bolt can't be that tight. However if it actually is beyond loosening with a hand tool a good air impact tool will spin it right off. No reason to ditch the hex head bolt for a regular bolt, just need better tools.
Arkyrider
Active Member
+1 This worked for me.jc450 said:
limey
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::008::
::026::Ron Earp said:
Plan on getting my own set... any suggestions for reasonable quality/price? I do still use my metric tools from the 70's, but had never needed this particular set til now. A more precise torque wrench is on the way already. One of the first motorcycle tools I ever bought was the hand held impact driver. (How many of you recall the days of Phillips head screws for sidecases?) Then we had to "upgrade" to put in Allen head screws. Had to rely on the local dealer, since there was no internet! I suspect I could use that same impact driver today with the correct socket. Another local S10 rider has the tools on hand so I'll ride over soon to have it nice and warm when I get there. Will hold the propane and torqs in reserve. Thanks for all the tips, will let you know what worked.RonH said:
Cycledude
Well-Known Member
Well I don't care what Yamaha says, 17 foot pounds is way to tight for that plug, maybe it's a misprint and should be 7 pounds, stuck fill and drain plugs on motorcycle final drives is a very common problem, with 7 pounds it will never fall out or leak.
Craftsman or Stanley for hex head sockets. I have a couple sets of each, and they weren't too expensive.
R
RonH
Guest
I like Grey and Sunex tools. Not terribly expensive and good quality.
Thanks for the suggestions. After tools arrived and I rode to warm it up, the plug came out easy peasy. Since I had already bought the gear oil I went ahead and drained and refilled while I was at it. It was dirtier than I expected given roughly 4K miles since last changed. I bought a Neiko Pro 3" impact allen set and a Digital AC Delco Torque adapter.
