at the end of my rope

[Ken Talbot]

I've used an impact driver for years and prevented a lot of bunged-up screws. Start by making sure the part is well supported so you're not trying to stabilize it at the same time you're trying to work the driver. Check to make sure it is set to turn the needed direction. Use one hand to push down on the body of the driver to take out any slack and to compress the spring. Start with a nice, controlled tap with about a 12 ounce hammer. If that's not quite enough, tap it a bit harder, then work up to a 16 or 20 ounce hammer. I have had to go as high as a mighty whack with a 5 pound hammer, but that wasn't on small screws in an aluminum carb body.

[HobbyMan]

On a fresh set of carbs, I use vice grips on the rack screws and throw them away. The float bowl screws come out easily with the right phillips bit.

[skippy344]

JIS Screw driver!

What I have found is that the screws were JIS (Japanese Industruial Standard) heads, and the SAE Phillips drivers don't bite correctly.

So, we should all have a JIS spec "phillips" driver in our tool box.

Check out the following link:

JIS Phillips head

Now, I can't buy from SNAP-ON, but if I find a source, I'll let everyone know.

greg

[Bigfoot]

when I cleaned my carbs I had no problems with the rack screws, had to drill out 6 of the float screws though. And busted 2 easy outs in the process. Drilling the busted easy outs was a pain in the ass.

[malber]

Re: JIS Screw driver!

Originally posted by skippy344
What I have found is that the screws were JIS (Japanese Industruial Standard) heads, and the SAE Phillips drivers don't bite correctly.

So, we should all have a JIS spec "phillips" driver in our tool box.

Check out the following link:

JIS Phillips head

Now, I can't buy from SNAP-ON, but if I find a source, I'll let everyone know.

greg

This explains a lot. Now I need a whole new screwdriver set.

[John]

Just replace all the screws in the carbs with allen head screws. You won't have any problems with them after that.

[malber]

Originally posted by John
Just replace all the screws in the carbs with allen head screws. You won't have any problems with them after that.

It's not just the carbs though. Seems like every screw head on the bike is like this.