Downpipe flange nuts broken
Help, its me again guys & gals.
I'm still trying to get my trike sorted, two of the exhaust downpipes are rusted so need to be replaced. I tried to get all 4 off because I want to replace them all and 3 out of the 8 flange nuts broke off :( Probably not been moved since 1983.
Can anyone suggest a way for me to get them out so I can replace the down pipes ?
Thanks again!
Re: Downpipe flange nuts broken
Take it these are the sort where there is a stud with a nut on the end of it...as apposed to a complete bolt?
If there is enough sticking out...get some grips on there and unscrew it, other option is use a dremmel to cut a slot it whats sticking out, then use an impact driver with a flat bit.
With the ideas above use WD40 or a professional pentrating fluid.
IF on the other hand, there is not enough sticking out, you will have to drill them and use stud extractors...my own personal experience I've found stud extractors to be a massive pain in the ass...and instead drilled it and tapped it with a left handed thread, wound a left threaded bolt in there and as I tighten it the broken stud gets wound out.
If you need any more help, take some piccies and put them on here or fire em to me in an email :)
Re: Downpipe flange nuts broken
Hi Furry-TLR, glad you are out there!
No, it was a complete bolt, went through the collar that held the pipe in place direct into the engine. Bolts have a 10mm head and are about 30mm long. I gave em all a soaking in WD40 yesterday morning, then after work gave em all a loving tap with a hammer to persuade them to come out. The first 5 were sweet as a nut, straight out. The last 3 decided to snap.
If I cut the downpipes near to the collar I suppose I could turn the collar off of what is left of the bolt then use grips to get it out. I can't use the old ones again anyway.
I'll try to drill em out first and if I have no luck I'll get some piccies on here.
It will be fine by next summer!
Cheers!
Re: Downpipe flange nuts broken
Sure no probs, just take it nice and easy when drilling you don't want to catch the aluminium threads :)
(I've done that before and felt a complete d**k LOL)
I take it what's left of the bolt is still holding the exhaust collers on?
Re: Downpipe flange nuts broken
As the sun is shining take it into a shop with a wad of notes, get them to do it whilst you are sat in a beer garden with a nice pint
Cheers
Kev
Re: Downpipe flange nuts broken
What's the point of being into bikes if your not hands on?
It's a custom project he's brought off of someone else, nothing feels better than putting a bike together yourself...makes riding it that much more special.
From memory exhaust bolts are an M8...so use a small 3mm drill bit, then insert a flat screwdriver into the hole, might find just that bites enough to get the stud out...if that don't work let me know.
Re: Downpipe flange nuts broken
Cheers guys I'll give it a go. The beer garden idea is good but I'm gonna get my baby sorted myself as best I can.
Re: Downpipe flange nuts broken
If you have enough of the bar left what about running a die down it and then lock 2 nuts together onto it. Worth a try before drilling.
Ade
Re: Downpipe flange nuts broken
This happened to me several years ago and I took the beer garden option, I removed the engine and took it to a machine shop, I used Zebedeeās in Calne. http://www.zebeng.co.uk/ a week later the engine comes back and I never lost my temper crawling round on my hands and knees removing the said stud lol!!!!!!
Re: Downpipe flange nuts broken
That's pretty much what I was suggesting above Ade m8...last time I had to do it I drilled it to 3mm...tapped it to M4 left hand threaded, then wound a M4 left hand threaded bolt in there and out she comes :)
Took me a a day or so to get hold of the left handed threaded stuff mind you though.
Good to see you and the bike the other week m8...hope now the sun is out you get a chance to use her a bit more, enjoy :D