Stripped thread

[mini-thumper]

Fellow Thumpers
Just done an oil change on my MT-03 and discovered that someone previous has stripped the thread on the bottom fixing of the oil filter cover. Have ordered an M6 helicoil set to repair but wondered if anyone has had a similar problem? Seems pretty straightforward but then it very rarely is. Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Cheers
Boyd

[steveD]

Shouldn't be a problem Bydy. You just need to make sure that the hole is cleaned out as I'm pretty sure that that particular hole is also a DRAIN hole and could put swarf into the oil gallery. I've had a similar problem on the first Ten (that got stolen) as they do not have to be tightened too much. Should be pretty straightforward.

Keep us informed.

PS great to see you at the weekend. We need to do more meets like that!

[Dave#22]

I had a similar issue on a couple of my DR's, due to lots of oil & filter changes over the years. I decided to fit studs into the stripped hole and also the other two. I screwed a bolt (bottomed) into the stripped hole to gauge the depth, took a measurement to include the filter cover and nut to be used and made three m6 stainless studs and fitted them.
The original bolts were m6 with a flanged 8mm A/F head, so I used m5 flanged (8mm A/F) stainless nuts, drilled and tapped to m6 and fitted them...they were on the DR800 I used at the weekend.
Dave.

[themoudie]

Aye Boyd,

Pleased to read that you have been 'rioting' and sorry to read that you stripped a thread!    A man of your paddock acumen should be fine! If your no taking the case off to do the job, just be aware that any swarf going in WILL end up in the oil gallery as SteveD alludes. So plenty of lardy grease on the end of your tap, especially the plug, afore you start and "little by little", rather than a clean tap and to the bottom in one!    Cotton buds (non-plastic handle variety!), again with plenty of sticky grease should assist with extraction as can a pair of eyebrow plucking tweasers    or dissecting tweasers, like those ones you used to have at school when doing dissection in 'O' and 'A' level Biology! 

So far I have been spared the stripped thread on this lower 'Drain' hole, but have had to fit studs as per Dave#22's suggested methodology to the two upper mounting screw holes on an XT600E motor that I've rebuilt. Used 'StudLock' to hold them in place. The engine has yet to be run-up so I await to see whether it has been a success or not. 

My regards, Bill

[Dave#22]

The original bolts were m6 with a flanged 8mm A/F head, so I used m5 flanged (8mm A/F) stainless nuts, drilled and tapped to m6 and fitted them.

I forgot to mention that I machined the serrated face from the nuts, so that they didn't chew up the aluminium face of the filter cover.

[mini-thumper]

Thanks to everyone for their support. I shall practice the "slow and steady" mantra once the kit arrives. Willlet you all know how I get on.

Cheers
Boyd

[iansoady]

I hate it when there are bolts into alloy that need to be removed on a regular basis so generally follow Dave 22's method if there's room. Bad design if you ask me.

[mini-thumper]

So I'm glad to report that the MT03 is back in business. Fitting the Helicoil was very straightforward and works a treat.

Thanks Bill for the tip about using a cotton bud and something sticky to remove the swarf. It worked a treat with Vaseline and grabbed even the smaller bits.

Onwards...
Boyd

[themoudie]

Aye Boyd,

Semper Perge porro, cum bene gaudet equo vehi.

It's amazing what tosh you can generate in 'Google Translate'!   

My regards, Bill

[GrahamH]

It may be useful to know a M7 thread has the same pitch as M6 and a stripped M6 can easily be tapped out to M7 without needing drilling.  No standard I know but M7 screws can be found and much easier that helicoils.

[BrendanO]

That's a NICE top top Graham! Most of the helicoils  I have done over the years have been M6 (mainly mine and others' CXs)