went to bleed my brakes up this weekend and couldn't get the resevoir cap off. 3 of the 4 screws were seized solid and even putting in enough torsion to "just" start chewing the heads didn't get them to open.
So I have 3 "not quite" chewed screw heads.
Anyone else been in this situation? obviously I'm going to order up some fresh screws, but what's the best method of getting the old screws out without damaging the resevoir?
My first thought is "impact driver", so will be looking into one of them (be a useful tool to have nonetheless), and I don't fancy trying to drill the damn things out.
These are probably the only screws i've never coppaslipped, because I didn't want to risk getting any traces of coppaslip into the brake fluid - but is there any other way to prevent seizure in the future?
The impact driver should get them out, by all means replace them as they can be found anywhere they sell metric screws.
If they don't come out, very carefully drill the screw head in the middle until the head comes off and allows the removal of the MC top,.With a tooth pick place a little brake fluid (brake fluid is one of the best thread lossening liquids available, it's a shame that it is so agreessive to any painted surfaces) at the base of the screw thread, after a few minutes clamp onto the portion of the screw sticking out with a small vise-grip and "carefully" move back and forth until it breaks loose. Just be careful you don't break the screw flush with the top of the thread.
Best of luck.
Member #312
06 Suzuki Burgman 650 "state of flux"
79 CBX
You may want to replace them with stainless hex screws.
I'll most likely replace with genuine OE parts to be honest - just to be sure the cap is still held on properly (the last thing I need is a leaky resevoir!)
I'll most likely replace with genuine OE parts to be honest - just to be sure the cap is still held on properly (the last thing I need is a leaky resevoir!)
That may be a good idea. I replaced my reservoir screws last year with screws from our local hardware store. The store didn't have the exact length, so I bought some that were slightly shorter and some that were slightly longer - they were all close but not exact.
The reservoir leaked slightly with both longer and shorter screws, and it wasn't until I got some (non-OEM) that were the same length as the originals did the leaking stop. Yes, odd, I know… but all's well now.
Don't be surprised if the impact takes the heads off. After one did that I resorted to the drill- my logic was it caused less stress on the bike than smacking poo with a hammer.
I've lost count how many bikes I've replaced the brake reservoir screws on. I have always used stainless steel and highly recommend it.
The real screws are 4 x 16, but the closest I found locally were 4 x 20. Mine has never leaked.
maduko wrote:Don't be surprised if the impact takes the heads off. After one did that I resorted to the drill- my logic was it caused less stress on the bike than smacking ----- with a hammer.
I've lost count how many bikes I've replaced the brake reservoir screws on. I have always used stainless steel and highly recommend it.
The real screws are 4 x 16, but the closest I found locally were 4 x 20. Mine has never leaked.
The only thing I can add to this is to use a left handed drill bit if you can. Sometimes when the head is chewed up I find the screw really isn't that tight, I just couldn't get a grip on it. On some occasions the left handed bit will walk the screw right out.
I don't get caught in the rain, I ride in it on purpose.
