Frozen Drain bolt on gearbox...

[nd1979]

I have an 84 yamahauler and was changing the fluids since my purchase. The drain bolt on the rear gearbox is not budging. It is a hex wrench hole in the middle and really not a "bolt" head. Does anyone have an idea on how to unfreeze it?
Thanks!

[muthey]

light heat from a torch on the housing not the bolt, if that doesn't work get some sp101, or some pb blaster and soak the hell out of it.other wise you are going to need to drill it out and then take the whole thing apart to flush it out and then replace the bolt while trying not to mangle the threads.

[muthey]

I don't recommend wd40 as if you read the can it really isn't a lubricator it is an anti rust agent pb blaster and SP101 are penetrating lubricants, don't get me wrong wd40 is great stuff but I find the others are way better at things like that. Also make sure you have the hex hole fully cleaned out and the wrench all the way in or it will possibly slip and force drilling it out.

[nd1979]

Thanks for the suggestion muthey, I will try the SP101 and I will let it work a few days. Tipping the trike upsidedown sounds better than drilling it out...lol

[STiForester]

Is it a socket cap? Fit Allen wrenches right? That what ya mean? I'd say PB blaster and get a cheater bar

[nd1979]

Yeah, allen wrench is what I mean. The local autozone has the PB blaster in stock so I will pick some up today. I will come up with a pipe or something for a cheater bar after it soaks for a couple of days of application. Out here in East Texas everything is at least 30 miles away!
Thanks for the suggestions!

[STiForester]

Ha yea I get the blaster by the case. And yea use a ratchet with a socket cap bit in it and use the cheater on that ratchet. Less risk of exploding an Allen wrench. It's not fun when they break. Sharp pieces of metal everywhere. Use eye protection

[ezmoney1979]

Ha yea I get the blaster by the case. And yea use a ratchet with a socket cap bit in it and use the cheater on that ratchet. Less risk of exploding an Allen wrench. It's not fun when they break. Sharp pieces of metal everywhere. Use eye protection
X2 absolutely! Very good advice. Normal allen wrenches can be dangerous.

[STiForester]

Yea I'm a machinist and use them all day. It's not great when they disintegrate in your face. I replaced almost all of my hardware to socket cap

[swampthang]

The drain bolt should be the same size as the one that you take out to fill the differential. It seems like the one on the bottom is always a PITA because of rust. You might have to use vise grips to get it out if the inside on it is rounded out from someone using the wrong size allen wrench. I'd try that first before drilling anything. Also heres a tip if you do get it out in ok condition, swap it with the bolt that I mentioned as the fill bolt. Chances are it wont be as rusty and in better shape and easier to remove in the future. Just an idea it worked for me. Good luck

[nd1979]

Yes, a socket cap is will be on my list to get, I only have sae and need a metric set. Thanks for the heads up as i was using just an allen wrench. Also Swampthang suggestion of switching the plugs is a good one!
Thanks for all of the replies...this forum is just great!

[STiForester]

Yea they're great to hve around the shop. Good luck buddy

[tri again]

I've used a rattle gun on SUPER LOW!!
Almost low enough to hold with your hand.
May cause cavitation for penetrant to sneak in.
Some say melted wax is the answer to wick in.

Someone posted properties of wd40 and pb blaster and as I recall,
acetone, like nailpolish remover and a little ATF is the best mix. to penetrate threads.
statistically.

If it moves at all, I usually rotate back and forth, as opposed to all the way out at once.
Back and forth a few thousandths for a few days.
Sounds like you have ALL our sympathy.
Any chance of simply pouring the oil out the fill hole and refilling?

[Grindin' Gearz]

On my machines, once that bolt has been removed I cleaned the threads nicey nice and applied a quality anti-sieze, makes future maintenance a breeze, and I fully endorse Pb blaster, stuffs never let me down, lol

[nd1979]

Thanks everyone! I am soaking in pb blaster and i will re-apply again tomorrow. I have the socket set and will give it a shot. Thanks to Grindin' Gearz reminding me to apply the anti-seize as I don't want to this again.