Torx Hatred

[RockOn]

I have them on my Harley too, terrible, worst screw/bolt head ever invented IMHO. Anyway, removing my front fender, '15 RIII Roadster to iron out several dents that former evil lying jerk I bought bike from did not tell me about, among many other problems.. I asked if there were any cosmetic or mechanical issues. "oh no, none, perfect!" Have bought several bikes online over the years and never burned like this bast*** did to me. Anyway, spilt milk, have to deal with it. I've managed with great difficulty to remove 3 of the 4 Torx bolts in the lower fork covers in order to get at fender bolts. Good grief, the first three were incredibly tight. The 4th and last is completely frozen. Have done everything I know with every kind of Torx bit I have, sockets, screwdriver, L wrenches, channel lock pliers and last few threads will still not break loose. So, with rust eating spray, WD40, lube.....nothing works to loosen. Next thought is Dremel tool to cut X in bolt head and then use impact driver to hammer out. Your ideas are much appreciated.

 

[TURBO200R4]

You can try to hit the bit with a hammer a few times to jar it loose.
You can buy an impact driver that you can turn to left while you beat it with a hammer.
You can also put some heat where the threads are and I don't mean melt it.

 

[RockOn]

You can try to hit the bit with a hammer a few times to jar it loose.
You can buy an impact driver that you can turn to left while you beat it with a hammer.
You can also put some heat where the threads are and I don't mean melt it.

Ok, will give that a go first. If no go, then Dremel an X and use my impact driver. Good grief. I'm too old and lazy for this SH*T!

 

[mo8414]

That freeze off penitrating oil actually works pretty good, key is to keep spraying it for a good bit you let it get cold so use a rag to catch all the oil. Next, a lot more expensive choice is a heat induction loop machine. I've always wanted to try the wart remover freeze can they sell at the drug store but never have. That would get the bolt extremely cold. Could even just use a can of duster and turn it upside down to freeze it.

 

[Kojack1970]

I have them on my Harley too, terrible, worst screw/bolt head ever invented IMHO. Anyway, removing my front fender, '15 RIII Roadster to iron out several dents that former evil lying jerk I bought bike from did not tell me about, among many other problems.. I asked if there were any cosmetic or mechanical issues. "oh no, none, perfect!" Have bought several bikes online over the years and never burned like this bast*** did to me. Anyway, spilt milk, have to deal with it. I've managed with great difficulty to remove 3 of the 4 Torx bolts in the lower fork covers in order to get at fender bolts. Good grief, the first three were incredibly tight. The 4th and last is completely frozen. Have done everything I know with every kind of Torx bit I have, sockets, screwdriver, L wrenches, channel lock pliers and last few threads will still not break loose. So, with rust eating spray, WD40, lube.....nothing works to loosen. Next thought is Dremel tool to cut X in bolt head and then use impact driver to hammer out. Your ideas are much appreciated.

I'm with you, I hate Torx, it's total garbage. Each time I have to remove one, it gets replaced with an allen / cap / button head bolt or screw and the Torx gets recycled. I would try the dremel route, you'll just chew up the torx head anyway. I replaced the fork cover bolts with allen head, stainless with a stainless washer behind them.

 

[atomsplitter]

When I run into something that stubborn, I use my pneumatic impact driver. Rapid repeated blows usually do the trick,

 

[RockOn]

When I run into something that stubborn, I use my pneumatic impact driver. Rapid repeated blows usually do the trick,

That's a thought, seems to me I may have one buried somewhere in my garage. I tried my manual hand-held impact driver yesterday and again no luck.

 

[atomsplitter]

That's a thought, seems to me I may have one buried somewhere in my garage. I tried my manual hand-held impact driver yesterday and again no luck.

Crank the air pressure up over 100 psig and first drive in a little and then reverse it, see if that gets it moving.

 

[RockOn]

Crank the air pressure up over 100 psig and first drive in a little and then reverse it, see if that gets it moving.

Long story, short version, got the screw/bolt out after using my extractor kit. Accidently drilled all the way through the screw with the one bit that could make headway into the screw. Buggered the threads, thanks to the cross-threaded screw that I removed. Today received the M6 tap/die set to hopefully repair the buggered hole. Have M6 1mm pitch X 12mm length that are, I pray, right for replacement. Have to paint my lower fork covers thanks to marring with my tools removing the right side cover\. Will replace with my M6, 1mm, 12mm Allen head screws plus lock type or wave type washers. Not the first time it has taken me hours to fix what seem at first to be simple problem. Will need to use some JB Weld to repair some gouge damage in the lower fork cover caused by channel lock pliers. Yes, I know, many of you would have told me to do it differently. I do what I can. Thanks to all for your ideas. I tried to upload photos but do not know why now I can't find a way to do it.

 

[RockOn]

Long story, short version, got the screw/bolt out after using my extractor kit. Accidently drilled all the way through the screw with the one bit that could make headway into the screw. Buggered the threads, thanks to the cross-threaded screw that I removed. Today received the M6 tap/die set to hopefully repair the buggered hole. Have M6 1mm pitch X 12mm length that are, I pray, right for replacement. Have to paint my lower fork covers thanks to marring with my tools removing the right side cover\. Will replace with my M6, 1mm, 12mm Allen head screws plus lock type or wave type washers. Not the first time it has taken me hours to fix what seem at first to be simple problem. Will need to use some JB Weld to repair some gouge damage in the lower fork cover caused by channel lock pliers. Yes, I know, many of you would have told me to do it differently. I do what I can. Thanks to all for your ideas. I tried to upload photos but do not know why now I can't find a way to do it.