It's frozen

[XJ Rob]

I was working on my dads 81 Special and the bolt that holds the oil filter housing on, is frozen. Seems to have been that way for a long time. The PO rounded the bolt off with I'm assuming "Vise grip". I've tried pounding a socket onto the bolt and WOW! it just won't come loose. The socket just slips off or rounds it a little more. Anyone ever have this problem? How did you finally get it out.

He did change the oil but we really need to change this filter.
Thanks

[bikerphil]

Hammer and cold chisel. Bite into the washer part of the bolt and spin it around CCW. New bolts are available for less than $10. HTH

[DGXSER]

Wel, I think you said it yourself, Vice Grips. Your not going to hurt that bolt any further and it could get it loose.

If you have toruble tracking a new bolt down, I have an engine I am parting out.

[Rickrod3]

Pipe Wrench

got mine off with an 8" pipe wrench used a 3/4" pipe for leverage.
After you get the bolt off Someone suggested to weld a nut to the bolt I think it was Ken Talbot.
I thought it was worth mentioning.

[Geezer]

I've found they spin out real easy with an air hammer like the cold chisel method described above.

Tony

[brcree]

bad bolt

When you put a new one back in, coat the threads with pepto bismol....yes the pink stuff. Great anti seize stuff. We used it in the Air Force on F-16 Jet engine parts! I put it on my spark plugs as well......any hot section will need this to remove bolt later.

[HobbyMan]

Remember, when you replace it, USE A SIX POINT SOCKET!

[dbeardslee]

Bolt outs work well, and will help avoid any collateral damage. They're basically like EZ Outs, only they're for bolt heads. I had a lug nut frozen on my Jeep, and my impact wrench rounded it off. I took a bolt out, pounded it onto the lug nut with a 3 pound sledge, and put a 4' breaker bar on it. Sounded like a gunshot when that sucker let go . Great tools.

[XJ Rob]

I'm going to try the air chisel. It was my first thought although the "Bolt Out" looks like a tool to have around anyway.
Not sure when I'll be able to get to it. I'm hoping Thursday.(calling for rain) So much yard work to do and I only have a couple more days off before I get back to work.
I'll give results when it's out.

[Bulldog9]

Very common problem, over the years, I've welded a new nut onto the rounded off one, cut a slot with a dremel tool and then , and also used the dremel tool to cut the rim off the bolt. Best was the quick spot weld.

I found putting a dab of grease where the bolt snugs to the housing has been the best preventative. I rarely ride my XS's anymore, and shameful to admit, just changed the oil in my 79XS11 last week (first time in 5 years...) bolt came right out. Corrosion on the filter housing and bolt contact is the issue with such a small hex head, BAD combination.

New bolts are available, same used for XS11 & 750-850. Old Bike Barn is where I got mine.

Biggest issue is DONT overtighten ;-)

[XJ Rob]

It's Out

I was able to get the bolt loose using and air chisel. Only took a couple hits and I was able to spin it out the rest of the way with vise grip. Now we just need to get the carbs straightened out and test drive to check for trans problems if there are any. Only 16K on the bike so I'm hoping NOT!!
Ride Safe

[DGXSER]

Good deal Rob! Glad it worked out.

As to the tranny issue, it is always hard to tell. Mine only had 23k miles and had the issue, a local fellow xsive has over 80k miles and never had a problem one out of the tranny. I thinkit is more an issue of how hard those miles were than how many.