Broken Valve Cover Bolt -- Where Can I Buy Better Bolts?

Cra1g · August 30th, 2016, 05:02 PM

Sorry, I feel like I've been posting left and right recently, but I'm deep into working on my bike

Anyway, I was putting the valve cover back on and tightening down the bolts when I heard a crack. One of the valve cover bolts broke off and the threaded part remained in the screw hole, but I think I can get it out with some vice grips.

And no, I wasn't tightening it down too much--it was barely getting snug when it snapped.

In any case, anyone know where I can get some sturdier bolts? I heard someone say that they got titanium ones?

dcj13 · August 30th, 2016, 05:31 PM

These bolts go into aluminium threads. The bolts don't need to be very strong.

You're lucky you didn't strip the threads in the head!

FrugalNinja250 · August 30th, 2016, 05:32 PM

Yeah, those are hardened heat-treated bolts, something else happened to make them fail. Normally the bolt would likely pull the threads out of the head before it broke.

Cra1g · August 30th, 2016, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrugalNinja250

Yeah, those are hardened heat-treated bolts, something else happened to make them fail. Normally the bolt would likely pull the threads out of the head before it broke.

So what do you think happened? I definitely want to make sure it doesn't happen again

RacinNinja · August 30th, 2016, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cra1g

So what do you think happened? I definitely want to make sure it doesn't happen again

You tightened it too much. It doesn't take very much torque for those. I think a torque wrench is in your future. Inch pound range.

Cra1g · August 30th, 2016, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RacinNinja

You tightened it too much. It doesn't take very much torque for those. I think a torque wrench is in your future. Inch pound range.

It's 14.5 lbs. right? I was using a torque wrench set at 14 lbs. just so I wouldn't over-torque, and I know it works properly because I just used it beforehand on some other bolts. The bolt that broke was barely getting snug.

In any case, the broken part is too far down the screw hole to get it out with pliers or vice grips, so I guess I'll have to look into getting some kind of extraction kit.

VaFish · August 30th, 2016, 05:55 PM

IIRC the valve tappets are 14.5 ft lbs, the valve cover bolts are 87 inch pounds or about 7 ft lbs.

I don't think 14 ft lbs should have broken them though.

Cra1g · August 30th, 2016, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaFish

IIRC the valve tappets are 14.5 ft lbs, the valve cover bolts are 87 inch pounds or about 7 ft lbs.

I don't think 14 ft lbs should have broken them though.

Well ****. That must've done it then..

Motofool · August 30th, 2016, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cra1g

.........In any case, the broken part is too far down the screw hole to get it out with pliers or vice grips, so I guess I'll have to look into getting some kind of extraction kit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/screw-e...-pc-61981.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cra1g

........In any case, anyone know where I can get some sturdier bolts? I heard someone say that they got titanium ones?

http://www.ronayers.com/oemparts/a/k...der-head-cover

Cra1g · August 30th, 2016, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

http://www.harborfreight.com/screw-e...-pc-61981.html

Thanks! Looks pretty easy to use. Hopefully it doesn't end up being a bitch to do..

Racer x · August 30th, 2016, 06:48 PM

Forget the torque wrench. Use the stock bolts. When you tighten them up just tighten them enough to compress the rubber gasket.

14 ft lb is to much torque. Spec is 9.8nm or 87 inch lb.

Cra1g · August 31st, 2016, 10:25 AM

So I ended up getting the broken bolt out. It was actually still pretty loose in the threads--still not sure how it broke when I barely put any torque on it, but whatevs.

EDIT: Should I be putting a gasket sealant on before I install the gasket itself?

Racer x · August 31st, 2016, 01:55 PM

Two little dabs in the corners of the half moons part of the gasket will do it.

August 30th, 2016, 05:02 PM	#1
Cra1g ninjette.org member Name: Craig Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS, 2007 Yamaha FZ6 Posts: 210	Broken Valve Cover Bolt -- Where Can I Buy Better Bolts? Sorry, I feel like I've been posting left and right recently, but I'm deep into working on my bike Anyway, I was putting the valve cover back on and tightening down the bolts when I heard a crack. One of the valve cover bolts broke off and the threaded part remained in the screw hole, but I think I can get it out with some vice grips. And no, I wasn't tightening it down too much--it was barely getting snug when it snapped. In any case, anyone know where I can get some sturdier bolts? I heard someone say that they got titanium ones?

August 30th, 2016, 05:55 PM	#7
VaFish ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Tom Location: Northern Virginia Join Date: Jul 2015 Motorcycle(s): 2001 Ninja 250, 2019 Harley Ultra Classic, 2001 Suzuki SV650 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '16	IIRC the valve tappets are 14.5 ft lbs, the valve cover bolts are 87 inch pounds or about 7 ft lbs. I don't think 14 ft lbs should have broken them though.
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

August 30th, 2016, 06:48 PM	#11
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	Forget the torque wrench. Use the stock bolts. When you tighten them up just tighten them enough to compress the rubber gasket. 14 ft lb is to much torque. Spec is 9.8nm or 87 inch lb. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

August 31st, 2016, 10:25 AM	#12
Cra1g ninjette.org member Name: Craig Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS, 2007 Yamaha FZ6 Posts: 210	So I ended up getting the broken bolt out. It was actually still pretty loose in the threads--still not sure how it broke when I barely put any torque on it, but whatevs. EDIT: Should I be putting a gasket sealant on before I install the gasket itself? Last futzed with by Cra1g; August 31st, 2016 at 11:32 AM.

August 31st, 2016, 01:55 PM	#13
Racer x ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Iowa City Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawmeracchi 350 2010 Project X Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 54 MOTM - Sep '18, Feb '16	Two little dabs in the corners of the half moons part of the gasket will do it. __________________________________________________ Top speed 123.369mph. Ohio mile Worlds fastest 250 ninja

August 30th, 2016, 05:31 PM	#2
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	These bolts go into aluminium threads. The bolts don't need to be very strong. You're lucky you didn't strip the threads in the head!

August 30th, 2016, 05:32 PM	#3
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	Yeah, those are hardened heat-treated bolts, something else happened to make them fail. Normally the bolt would likely pull the threads out of the head before it broke.

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