trying to bleed brakes - stripped screws!

[doconabike]

Hi so I recently acquired an 82 gs650g. She only has 6xxx miles on her so she's running in great shape, however I have time this week and figure that its time for some routine maintenance. I want to bleed the brakes and check the fluid level, however both screws on the front master cylinder are stripped! Any ideas on how to get those screws out, or is it just easier to get a new front cylinder....?

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

First try an impact driver. If no go drill off the heads.

 

[jwhelan65]

Had the same problem ended up replacing the MC

 

[tejasmud]

Stupid phillips head screws strike again.

Yes. Easy way, just buy a new one.

But, if the master is in decent shape, besides the screws, pull the master cylinder off so you can use a drill press, and drill the screw heads like Chef mentioned.

I did this the first time on my master cylinder. Later as the sight glass turned to mush I decided to replace the master cylinder.

If you drill the heads, best tip would be don't go too deep. Just enough to get to the base of the head with a drill, which needs to be as close to the same size as the thread as possible. Then pop the cap of the master off. There should be enough screw left to grab with vice-grips, and unscrew the remainder of the screw out. Try not to damage the sealing surface of the master cylinder doing so.

Replace the screws with tapered allen head screws. This way in the future, well pretty simple, it becomes not an issue.

Future reference. An impact driver is your best friend on a bike that has any stupid phillips head screws/bolts. I would say 90% of the times I have ever tried to remove a phillips head screw/bolt without one it strips out.

I aways replace with allen head fasteners or hex.

 

[1_v8_merc]

Is it just my bike, or do the Japanese make the cheapest screws ever to be seen by mankind?

I've had so many stripped screws on my 82 650, i'm actually expecting it now whenever I take any bolt off.

I mean, im good at getting them off now atleast......but it still sucks.

 

[Guest]

i use the tapping method. you need a small sharp hard center punch positioned as near to the edge of the screw as possible ,then start tapping down at a slight angle in the direction it needs to come out

 

[Guest]

ps, they're usually posi-drive heads,on jap bikes not philips.

 

[mighty13d]

screw-outs

Ones that are exactly like these are usually available at any hardware store and if not, try your local auto parts store. You'll need a drill though, and remember to run it counterclockwise to remove the little screw not in because it won't work if you're running forward!


Get a set of these and you will more than likely use them again on something else. Well worth the few bucks you spend on them now.

 

[waterman]

Is it just my bike, or do the Japanese make the cheapest screws ever to be seen by mankind?

I've had so many stripped screws on my 82 650, i'm actually expecting it now whenever I take any bolt off.

I mean, im good at getting them off now atleast......but it still sucks.

It is not that the screws themselves suck, it is that we americans are using a the wrong tool to remove these Japanese industrial standards screw. The phillips screwdriver we use just doesn't fit correctly and strips them in a very short time. I use an impact driver to remove and then replace with stainless allen cap screws when possible. Check here for more info;
http://www.instructables.com/id/SAD3S3IFOVXPGXR/

 

[doctorgonzo]

Step 1 in refurbing these bikes unless it's a period correct show bike:

Buy a kit or accumulate a complete set of stainless allen head fasteners for everthing external except the motor mounts. Either just bite the bullet and do it all at once, or everytime you remove one in the normal course of events, replace it.

 

[doconabike]

unfortunately by the time we borrowed a neighbors impact driver everything was too far stripped and couldn't get the screws to move for the life of me. Probably just going to pick up another master cylinder on ebay, one with a screw off top this time!

Btw - to use an impact driver you just hammer straight down right? We'd never used it before as I think about it maybe thats why nothing happened....

 

[waterman]

unfortunately by the time we borrowed a neighbors impact driver everything was too far stripped and couldn't get the screws to move for the life of me. Probably just going to pick up another master cylinder on ebay, one with a screw off top this time!

Btw - to use an impact driver you just hammer straight down right? We'd never used it before as I think about it maybe thats why nothing happened....

Yes, to use a impact driver, simply hammer straight down. Of course, you need to ensure that the driver is set to remove or loosen the screw instead of tightening it. (I add this in case you were not aware that they can be used in both directions) Likewise, I find that after a few solid hits, mine can jump to tightening mode. It can take more than one hit to loosen a screw, be patient.

I would try the screws again with the impact, mine will bite into some pretty chewed up screw heads. If not, try to slot screws and use straight bit before completely drilling heads off.

 

[Calvin Blackmore]

unfortunately by the time we borrowed a neighbors impact driver everything was too far stripped and couldn't get the screws to move for the life of me. Probably just going to pick up another master cylinder on ebay, one with a screw off top this time!

Btw - to use an impact driver you just hammer straight down right? We'd never used it before as I think about it maybe thats why nothing happened....

one drill and a HSS bit just slightly larger than the centre of the scew will allow you to get the caps off the screws

easy as can be

 

[GMSKEE]

the way I know how is old school method. Take a small chissel or something sharp and tap it to turn, you will have to get new screws. Or drill out the head and all thats left will be the shaft, you then can use pliers to turn it out. good luck