CX650E oil filter removal

[quicksilver]

Hello all.  It's me again. Still working on my old bike. I have another problem. The bolt holding on my oil filter is really stuck. I have rounded it a little bit. I was wondering, could I give it a little love tap to help free it up, or will that cause problems? Also, what if I grind it off and get a new bolt?

Thanks...Ken

[Clarky]

A bit of a tap will usually help - use on old spanner, or a socket and a tee-bar and give the end of that a few sharp taps.  I wouldn't hit a ratchet, can damage them.

You're not using imperial tools on metric bolts are you?  That's a good way of rounding em off pretty quick.

Let us know how you get on.

Clarky.

[Exgoldwinger]

Hi Quicksiver,
My 650 must have had the same problem as the previous owner welded a socket where the bolt head should be and all I have to do is plug the ratchet directly into the socket to undo it.
Cheers,
Exgoldwinger

[quicksilver]

Hey Exgoldwinger. That is just too funny. Sounds like a plan to me LOL. I will do that sa a last resrt. i know I definatly overtightened years ago.

Ken

[quicksilver]

Thanks Clarky. I will try that. I haven't owned Imperial tools in almost 30 years. Only metric here.

Ken

[Exgoldwinger]

Hi Quicksilver,
Here is a pic of my oil filter cover. The socket hardly shows and solves the problem of butchering the bolt head again.
Cheers,
Exgoldwinger

[Staffy]

I wouldn't hit a ratchet, can damage them.

You've never used my stanley ratchet then have you?  I've hit it, jumped on it, it won't break.  Believe me, i've tried.

Quicksilver, plenty of lube and persistence with a socket on a breaker bar with a steel tube slid over it for extra torque gets me out of trouble most of the time.  Always use a quality socket when you do this though as you will round the head otherwise.

[quicksilver]

Thanks Exgoldwinger. Doesn't look all that bad. Great idea actually.
I will try to do my best Staffy. How did the clutch go?

Quicksilver

[Staffy]

How did it go?  All grins matey.  Now when i wring it out to 10,000 rpm the bike goes with it.    Now to sort the forks, steering bearings, back cover needs to come off.........

[8Track]

You can try rotating the entire filter cover too. Put a piece of wood against the fins and hit the wood. This can get things moving in the right direction.

[quicksilver]

Thanks 8Track. That thought did cross my mind, but I didn'y know if it work. Anything is worth a go at this point.

[jhovel]

Quicksilver:
Like 8track said, unscrewing the entire cover is the best way - That's how I undo the oil filter EVERY time! If you have a jig-saw, cut out the star shape of the oil filter housing out of a 25mm thick piece of harwood, then shape it like a spanner with a handel on it. You only need to be able to turn it a little bit - then the bolt will unscrew easily.
I was planning to cut such a "spanner" out of a piece of 10mm aluminium plate, just haven;t got to it yet. Still use the 8track method of wooden block and small hammer...

[quicksilver]

Thanks Joe. Once I get the filter housing off I will try yo make something up like you suggested. 8tracks plan sounds like the way to go.

Ken

[Olwesty]

Use a full hex socket .. it won't round off the bolt head .. supercheap or autobarn sell them .. and don't tighten it up to breaking point .. they only need to be "nipped up" the Oring does the sealing

Lindsay

[cxichy]

Once you get it off, it is possible to buy a 17mm oil filter bolt which will be much easier to turn.  Looks a bit better than a permanently welded socket :-).

Also, when I asked a metalwork shop to weld a spigot on my stuck bolt, they had reservations.  Something about blowing up bike electronics due to high voltages induced during the welding process.  I would have thought a well grounded frame would prevent that, but while asking around (before being a member of the forum), I ended up loosening the bolt with sprays for three days of CRC/WD40/RP7 etc and the use of vice grips.

[Coops]

if you can get hold of a Metrinch socket they grab the sides of a hex bolt not the corners, or use asocket on the bolt and a cover and set of stilsons or filter wrench on the housing simultaneously.

Coops

[quicksilver]

Thanks Cxichy and Coops. Every bit of info helps. Going over to have a go at it when I get off of work this morning.

Ken

[jim]

an automotive oil filter strap tool that fits older holdens and fords (Z9 or Z30a filters) fits perfectly on the  filter housing.

jim

[WaterBottle]

I never overtighten anything especially aluminium parts and as for metal screws into plastic I let the screwdriver slip in my hand when it seats that's enough OR it's a bin / repair jobbie.

If you have to weld a socket onto the bolt head then something is terribly wrong! 

MarineVessel

[Arty]

Thats the idea Jim,use the strap wrench at the same time as the spanner on the nut,If it proves difficult, give the filter housing a bit of a knock with a piece of wood on the fining,a good sharp tap with a good hammer will often break the seal on the oring
If you end up ordering a new bolt get the aftermarket one with the larger bolt head,also some oring lubricant and do not over tighten