Help getting exhaust off.

[Danase]

I'm trying to get the Hard Krome exhaust off of my 2002 Drifter 800. I can not for the life of me get to the allen heads at the motor. I tried some of those allen wrenched with the ball end and they won't go in deep enough to do anything. It's like an allen head with a metal stud in the middle, if that makes sense. I'm pretty sure a regular allen head would work if I could get it in there.

[MrClean]

Here's the Hard Chrome Instruction page for the 800 Drifter. You have to pick which one you have. I don't know if this helps or not.

[Danase]

Yeah, I've read those before. It's just the allen head bolts holding the pipes to the motor are like impossible to get to.

[agentfox1942]

Originally Posted by Danase

I'm trying to get the Hard Krome exhaust off of my 2002 Drifter 800. I can not for the life of me get to the allen heads at the motor. I tried some of those allen wrenched with the ball end and they won't go in deep enough to do anything. It's like an allen head with a metal stud in the middle, if that makes sense. I'm pretty sure a regular allen head would work if I could get it in there.

If it's an allen head with a stud in the middle, it's known as a safety bolt. You need a special allen wrench to turn it. They are usually found on bolts you don't want removed easily, like on bathroom stall partitions or license plate holders. You can buy them at most big box hardware stores or online. Check out boltdepot.com

[Danase]

Originally Posted by agentfox1942

If it's an allen head with a stud in the middle, it's known as a safety bolt. You need a special allen wrench to turn it. They are usually found on bolts you don't want removed easily, like on bathroom stall partitions or license plate holders. You can buy them at most big box hardware stores or online. Check out boltdepot.com

I was thinking that because that is how the MAF sensor bolts are on my Mercury. I just don't see how, even with the correct tool, I can get it into this small area.

[ALStensby]

Originally Posted by Danase

I was thinking that because that is how the MAF sensor bolts are on my Mercury. I just don't see how, even with the correct tool, I can get it into this small area.

Pretty much all MAFs have those. PITA. If it is indeed a security bolt, what a PITA! Can you get a photo? I'm surprised there's not just regular nut on the bolts. Do you know the person who put them on?

[Danase]

Originally Posted by ALStensby

Pretty much all MAFs have those. PITA. If it is indeed a security bolt, what a PITA! Can you get a photo? I'm surprised there's not just regular nut on the bolts. Do you know the person who put them on?

I'll get a photo when I get home from work. I'm guessing Houdini put it on.

[Danase]

Here are the nuts. It now looks like the bolts are just through the center and it's not part of the nut. So far I've only been able to loosen one with a regular allen head.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...r/IMG_3802.jpg

[Pokey]

It will make it a little easier if you take the heat shields off of the pipes. Second, the nuts are allen head nuts and what you see in the center is the end of the studs. I had to use an impact with a flat screw driver bit to bite into one of the nuts to be able to take it off. Luckily the other three came off a lot easier. You can replace those with regular nuts of your choice afterwards. Hope this helps a little.

[Pokey]

Oh, by the way...my bike is an 800a and I replaced the factory pipes with Vance and Hines straight shots.

[Danase]

Originally Posted by Pokey

It will make it a little easier if you take the heat shields off of the pipes. Second, the nuts are allen head nuts and what you see in the center is the end of the studs. I had to use an impact with a flat screw driver bit to bite into one of the nuts to be able to take it off. Luckily the other three came off a lot easier. You can replace those with regular nuts of your choice afterwards. Hope this helps a little.

Those shields are welded on. It's actually the chrome housing around the entire pipe. That's what's sucking. haha

[Pokey]

My apologies and sweaty sympathy. If it wasn't for my dad, I would have resorted to a chisel and a sledgehammer.

[Danase]

Originally Posted by Pokey

My apologies and sweaty sympathy. If it wasn't for my dad, I would have resorted to a chisel and a sledgehammer.

I hear ya there! lol

[BillyBobby]

Hose them with your favorite penetrating oil. Let them sit. Cut an allen wrench so you have a short piece that will go into the "nut", then use a wrench on the allen wrench. Use anti-seize on the threads when you re-assemble.

[ALStensby]

Originally Posted by BillyBobby

Hose them with your favorite penetrating oil. Let them sit. Cut an allen wrench so you have a short piece that will go into the "nut", then use a wrench on the allen wrench. Use anti-seize on the threads when you re-assemble.

Yepper. Maybe jimmy rig it to an offset. That's all I can use to access my pipes!

[2thdr]

+1 on the penetrating oil...that rust looks killer!

[DevilDogge]

Impact wrench would be best. I used a regular ol allen wrench and slid the long end in and put a long pipe on the short end to get mine off. Although, I ended up breaking a stud cause they were so rusted.... No big deal though, local auto parts place has carb studs that'll fit in there for about 3 bucks for 4 of them if I remember right.

[Danase]

Thanks guys. It's been soaking in PB Blaster for a day now. I think I'll try cutting one of my allen wrenches.