I've witnessed MANY stripped torx derby cover screws. I simply drill the head with a sharp 3/8 bit till it spins off, then remove the cover and remove the remaining screw shank with my fingers....It never fails that once the stripped torx head is drilled off the remaining srew shank is only finger tight.

Then I ALWAYS replace ALL derby screws with stainless allen heads coated with anti-sieze and NEVER again have a problem.

Please remember NOT to overtighten the derby screws. Lube them up and snug them enuff to withstand vibration, then stop.

For all you factory reps out there, you need to remember that torx was implimented by the factory to save on assembly time and assembly tool costs....The torx head tools last longer when assembling scoots. After that, they could care less about how we take them apart. You other guys like me who twist our own wrenches need to learn that HD doesn't use regular torx bits. They use "torx plus" bits......look it up. torx plus fit much tighter and are less prone to strip and last longer when assembling scoots, but are hard to find and cost more.

Keep it simple and go with stainless allen heads and use anti-sieze.

 

1/4-20x5/8" screws for the derby cover don't play well... they don't go in smoothly and I'm not about to force them in and strip the threads. You sure that's the right size?

 

yep, spit in the hole and kinda wiggle it in......something tells me I need to demonstrate

 

I read this same thread time after time. You guys need to get some quality tools before starting these projects and keep that torx bit straight in the slot when loosening. Don't change the fasteners to something else after you get them out, the reason they use torx fasteners is that they will accept more torque than an allen head and defiantly a phillips head before stripping.

 

As others have said........chrome socket head bolts.....

Throw those POS Torx bolts in the garbage.

 

I have never had a problem with the Torx yet. i use decent bits...

 

...edited

+ anti-seize or grease on the threads when you reinstall

 

Never use any force to unscrew em except torx drive.

 

My derby socket heads are 1/4-20 x 1/2" (not 5/8")...inspection cover was 1/4-20 x 3/4".......just throwing it out there.

 

wow something else i need to purchase...30 yrs takem off put them on ..no prob,no leak,no strip,and no torque rench with mid range tools.hummm guess im either lucky,patient,use tlc though..